When we were kids nearly all of us walked to school every day. We would chat to our friends on the way and arrive fit, refreshed and ready to start the school day. Congestion from school run traffic was not a big issue and the school gates were not such danger zones.
Unfortunately many children are now driven to and from school every day. Not all children go to their nearest school. Lifestyles have changed; walking to school does not always fit in with our busy schedules. Increased traffic makes parents worry about their children walking alone, so they drive them and become part of the problem.
We want to give more children the opportunity to walk all or part of the way to school safely every day. And we've got some practical ideas of how you can help make this happen at your school.
If you’re a parent, teacher or governor interested in finding out about the Walking Bus, Park & Stride, High Visibility clothing or other schemes then you’ve come to the right place. We can also let you know what other help is available and how to get more parents motivated to join you.
A walking bus is an organised group of children who walk to school together accompanied by volunteers. There is no actual bus!
The benefits:
- Sociable, healthy and enjoyable
- Reduces parking problems near the school gates
- Children learn about road safety and become more aware of their environment
- Bury currently has 10 Walking Bus routes running at the following schools
- St Mary’s RC Primary, Belgrave St, Radcliffe
- Holly Mount RC Primary, Holly Mount Lane, Greenmount
- St Andrew’s CE Primary, Nuttall Lane, Ramsbottom
- Hollins Grundy Community Primary, Hollins Village
Create a new walking bus route
If you are interested in setting up a Walking Bus at your school, why not give us a call and come along to our training sessions which includes:
‘An Introduction to Walking Buses’
The session will cover
- What is a Walking bus
- Why it is sociable, healthy and enjoyable
- How it reduces parking problems near the school gates
- How children learn about road safety and become more aware of their environment
- High visibility clothing
- Sponsorship and promotion
- Tips for success
- Insurance and formalities
Principal Road Safety Officer Paul Birch, Head Teacher Mr Colin Cliffe and Jayne Stuart, School Travel Advisor will be giving the presentation.
There will be plenty of opportunities to ask questions on the training day.
For more information please contact Jayne Stuart on 0161 253 7451 or email burysafe@bury.gov.uk
