Cycling and walking to school
A child's journey to school is recognised as having an impact on
the child’s safety, on their health and personal development and on
today’s environment. The council assists schools in developing
school travel plans and other
initiatives like safer routes to school programmes. These
initiatives aim to promote safer, more environmentally friendly and
healthier ways for children to get to and from school.
Clean & clear footpaths
Find out how report road and pavement
problems
Cycling
If you have older children, you could encourage them to cycle to
school providing safe cycle routes are available. Before your
children start cycling to school you will need to provide them with
bright fluorescent and reflective clothing, supportive shoes, a
bike, helmet, and a back pack.
It's better to buy the right size bike rather
than get one which is too big that the child can ‘grow into’. An
oversized bike could be dangerous and is likely to discourage your
child from cycling. It's advisable to choose a bike without a
crossbar which is safer if your child falls.
You should also buy a well-fitting cycle
helmet. Make sure the helmet carries a CE mark and one of the
safety standards (e.g. BS683:1989, AS.2063, ANSI, IZZ 90.4 SNELL,
B90 or B95).
Enrolling your child on a cycle training course is also a good
idea. This can help them to:
- develop their observation and manoeuvrability skills
- increase their confidence
- learn the importance of cycle maintenance and hazard
awareness
- find out about the Highway code
- get information and advice on wearing protective helmets and
being clearly visible on the road
The council runs training sessions through
youth groups and in schools. Find out more about cycle training in Tower Hamlets.
Walking
If you live close to the school you should encourage your
children to walk to school to keep them fit and healthy. You will
need to provide your children with bright, reflective clothing,
supportive shoes and a back pack.
If you have young children you can either walk with them or get
together with other parents and take it in turns to accompany them
to school. Alternatively you could allow your children to
participate in one of the walking bus initiatives.
A walking bus allows groups of children to walk to school to
keep them fit and healthy and by doing so reduces traffic and
congestion outside schools. Two responsible adults who are known by
the school walk a group of children to school along an agreed
route.
Any volunteers involved in a walking bus scheme have to first
complete a police criminal background check. Some walking buses
operate every school day while others operate one or two days a
week depending on the number of adult volunteers involved.
The council's road safety department will assess walking bus
routes and can provide training for volunteers. All children and
adults involved in a walking bus must wear reflective clothing
which can be supplied by the Traffic & Transportation
Office.
Driving
Taking your children to school by car is not encouraged because
of the pollution and traffic congestion caused. Also one in seven
children today have asthma and medical evidence suggests that this
is related to traffic fumes.
If you have no choice other than to take your children to school
by car you should:
- Make sure that your child gets out safely on the pavement side
when you are dropping them off.
- Park well away from school entrances and yellow zigzag areas to
reduce traffic congestion at schools.
- Make sure you don’t leave your engine running when waiting to
collect your children. Idle engines produce 80 per cent more
pollution than a vehicle that is in motion.
- Try approaching other parents about sharing lifts to reduce
congestion and pollution.
- Where possible participate in a park & stride initiative by
parking a distance away from the school at a designated car park
and walking the remaining distance to school.
Help with home to school travel
We will provide transport for pupils of
compulsory school age where they meet certain criteria. For more
details see our school travel
policy.
How to contact us
Public Realm
Mulberry Place (AH)
PO Box 55739
5 Clove Crescent
London
E14 1BY
Tel: 020 7364 6918
Minicom: 020 7364 6885
Email: roadsafety@towerhamlets.gov.uk