The way children travel to school can have a huge impact on their lifestyle. Driving to school increases congestion and pollution around schools. It also increases the risk to people walking and cycling.
In Ealing most children live close to their school, making it easy for them to walk, scoot or cycle. It is recommended that children are physically active for at least 60 minutes each day. Travelling to school in an active way can help make sure children get the exercise they need. Pupils who walk to school arrive alert, refreshed and ready to learn.
School travel plan
All schools should have school travel plans and promote sustainable and active travel for the school journey. The council's school travel team works with schools to encourage pupils and their parents to get to school in the best way and avoid car journeys.
The team has developed walking maps, showing parents easy routes for walking to school.
Active travel
The team also help schools with activities to encourage active travel:
- helping schools to set up walking buses
- delivering scooter training
- helping schools set up cycle training sessions
- delivering walk to school campaigns
- helping schools overcome barriers that are preventing active travel
School streets
We have helped schools to set up School Streets. These close the roads traffic at the start and end of the school day. This low traffic area makes it easier for people walking and cycling to use the road space.