PUPILS CYCLING TO SCHOOL
Published on 28 February 2020
Spain
Castilla y León
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
Journeys escorting children to school account for a large proportion of travel made by households and are therefore also contributing to some of the challenges that our cities are facing, such as congestion and emissions. Moreover, most of these trips take place during peak hours.
The Secondary School “ANTONIO TOVAR with the support of the Valladolid City Council get pupils out of cars and onto their bikes
The benefits of biking to school include a stronger connection to the community, a taste of independence, numerous health benefits, family bonding time and of course – exercise.
Thanks to the participation of the school in the European project STARS (Sustainable Travel Accreditation and Recognition for Schools) it has been increased the number of teenagers cycling to school.
How do we get pupils out of cars and onto their bikes? This is the main question that the STARS project intends to answer in order to change the current situation. STARS believes that the answer lies in:
• targeting schools that have an impact on the road network in terms of congestion, safety and public transport delay;
• guiding, encouraging and providing the tools for schools to increase cycling levels and reduce the number of accidents with young people;
• encouraging schools to work independently as a community to commit to monitoring and evaluating their travel activity.
The Secondary School “ANTONIO TOVAR with the support of the Valladolid City Council get pupils out of cars and onto their bikes
The benefits of biking to school include a stronger connection to the community, a taste of independence, numerous health benefits, family bonding time and of course – exercise.
Thanks to the participation of the school in the European project STARS (Sustainable Travel Accreditation and Recognition for Schools) it has been increased the number of teenagers cycling to school.
How do we get pupils out of cars and onto their bikes? This is the main question that the STARS project intends to answer in order to change the current situation. STARS believes that the answer lies in:
• targeting schools that have an impact on the road network in terms of congestion, safety and public transport delay;
• guiding, encouraging and providing the tools for schools to increase cycling levels and reduce the number of accidents with young people;
• encouraging schools to work independently as a community to commit to monitoring and evaluating their travel activity.
Resources needed
There have been no funds outside the school to carry out this practice. However, in specific campaigns the school have had the collaboration of the local police of Valladolid City Council and the section of the General Directorate of Traffic of Valladolid.
Evidence of success
• Participation of students and parents in campaigns.
• Press reviews.
• Recognition obtained: bronze medal granted by the network of schools who participate the initiative on national level in Spain
• Interest of other educational centers.
It is worth highlighting the participation of teachers, parents and students in the different activities and campaigns carried out.
• Press reviews.
• Recognition obtained: bronze medal granted by the network of schools who participate the initiative on national level in Spain
• Interest of other educational centers.
It is worth highlighting the participation of teachers, parents and students in the different activities and campaigns carried out.
Potential for learning or transfer
Most towns and cities face similar challenge of pupils accompanied to school and the key points of implementing a similar action are in place
It can established three important key points:
• School journeys have the same destination every day and so are easy to target.
• The journey to school is most often a short distance, i.e. under 5 km, which can easily be cycled.
• To ensure a long-term change in travel behaviour, children and young people should be our key priority.
The STARS project has been the starting point of a variety of initiatives in the framework of encouraging cycling as:
- appointment of ambassadors
- Surveys to understand which are the main concerns and opportunities to go to the school by bicycle.
- Road educational classes
- Family cycle tours
- Recycled bicycle parking in the school
- Organization of conferences about cycling
It can established three important key points:
• School journeys have the same destination every day and so are easy to target.
• The journey to school is most often a short distance, i.e. under 5 km, which can easily be cycled.
• To ensure a long-term change in travel behaviour, children and young people should be our key priority.
The STARS project has been the starting point of a variety of initiatives in the framework of encouraging cycling as:
- appointment of ambassadors
- Surveys to understand which are the main concerns and opportunities to go to the school by bicycle.
- Road educational classes
- Family cycle tours
- Recycled bicycle parking in the school
- Organization of conferences about cycling
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Ayuntamiento de Valladolid
Spain
Castilla y León
Contact
Coordinator Smart City Projects