Initiatives

A walking bus is a group of children, walking to school with at least two parent volunteers. Parents take it in turns, on a rota basis, to walk with the children. There is always a 'driver' who leads the bus, and a 'conductor' who walks at the back. The more children there are on the bus, the more adults walk with them.

Children who already walk to school can participate as well as children who currently travel short journeys to and from school by car. Children who live too far to walk all the way can be driven to the start of the walking bus. Walking buses are ideal for everyone.

How is the walking bus scheme set up

A member of the Safe and Sustainable Travel Team assists with risk assessing the route.

Contact: Roadsafety@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

The benefits:

For children

• get plenty of fresh air and exercise
• have the chance to chat to their friends before school starts
• get a sense of responsibility that they are doing their bit for the environment
• arrive at school more alert and ready to work

For parents and carers

• usually get at least one day off from the school run
• also get fresh air and exercise
• know that their children will be safe on the way to school

For schools

• have fewer cars outside the school gates
• benefit from having children who are more ready to work

Walk Once a Week schemes involve children walking, either on a set day of the week, or at least one day a week. Some schools have created their own versions of this scheme, for example 'Trek to School Tuesday' or 'Foot Power Friday'. Living Streets run a Walk on Wednesday/Walk Once a Week scheme. Children can collect badges and certificates, more information can be found on the Living Streets website.

Walk to School Week is a national event that takes place annually in May. During this week, schools are encouraged to promote sustainable modes of travel, particularly walking all or part of the way to school.

There is also an International Walk to School Month, which takes place in October every year.

More information can be found on the Living Streets website.

This is a two part scheme, both theory and practical, coordinated by the road safety team, delivered by a volunteer Instructor from school aiming to prepare children to become safer, independent pedestrians by teaching them essential road crossing skills at the roadside. The scheme is for year 3 and 4 children and is designed to:

• increase their knowledge and understanding of the road environment
• to prepare them to be independent road users
• encourage parents to walk to school with their children
• reduce traffic congestion at the school gate

Bikeability is the National Standard for cycle training that sets out the training and skills necessary for safer cycling on today’s roads. It aims to deliver a nationally agreed uniform syllabus and guidelines for all cycle training in the UK.

Fully funded Bikeability training is offered to all schools, for further information or to book please see: Cheshire West and Chester (bikeright.co.uk)

Park and Stride schemes are aimed at children who live too far away from school to walk all the way. The scheme allows the following:

• parents to drop their children off at a distance away from the school, rather than driving all the way to school
• schools can ask a local pub or shop for permission to use their car park as a drop off point
• schools can draw up a map, with a mile radius marked on it, and parents agree to park outside this radius and walk the rest of the way with their children

Car sharing involves giving a lift to someone who lives close by or on the way to or from school. Schemes can be formal, where the school holds a database of parents who are willing to car share, or informal arrangements between parents.

An assembly to encourage safer walking and active travel to and from school is available for all primary schools which also includes irresponsible and illegal parking around the school.