DOCSLIB.ORG

VHP Walking School Bus.Indd

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
VHP Walking School Bus.Indd Lively Neighbourhoods Inspirational stories from Victoria’s Walking School Buses www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/wsb Introduction VicHealth’s Walking School Bus Program is a fun and effective way of getting children to walk to school. Beginning with four councils in 2001, the program is now running in 60 local government areas across Victoria. With the initial objectives of getting children walking, reducing traffic congestion and pollution, increasing street safety and assisting the development of community relationships, the success of the program has resulted in a number of positive spin-offs. A Walking School Bus program can have far-reaching effects on the participants, the schools and the wider community. The success stories featured here all demonstrate in their own way the impact a Walking School Bus program has had on their community. The stories reflect one of four major themes: Community Connectedness – the development of new social Diversity & Inclusion – the inclusion of Culturally and connections or the strengthening of existing ones through Linguistically Diverse communities and Indigenous participation in the Walking School Bus program. communities in the implementation of the Walking School Bus program. • Latrobe City Council – Morwell East and Churchill Primary Schools • East Gippsland Shire Council – Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust • Nillumbik Shire Council – Diamond Creek Primary School • City of Greater Dandenong – Southvale Primary School and others Active Transport Initiatives – other walking and cycling Infrastructure Improvements – built environment initiatives sparked or complemented by the implementation improvements that can be directly attributed to participation of the Walking School Bus program. in the Walking School Bus program. • Bass Coast Shire Council – Newhaven Riding School Bus • Bayside City Council – Pedestrian Priority Roundabout • City of Moonee Valley – Active Transport Initiatives • City of Port Phillip – Greenlight Project Cover: Camberwell Primary School Walking School Bus, Photo: Mark Farrelly Long live Contents the media Photos: Mark Farrelly Community Connectedness 1 Walking Back to Happy Valley 4 A community spirit puts new life back into the Latrobe Valley 2 Many Legs Make Life Work in Nillumbik 7 Hundreds of families get to know their neighbourhood on foot Infrastructure Improvements 3 Improving Safety in a Roundabout Way 10 Social action makes a huge difference to children’s health in Bayside 4 Green Man Gets the Greenlight in Port Phillip 13 Pedestrians have their say on crossing times Diversity & Inclusion 5 Breakfast Bus Pumps Up Lake Tyers 16 A walk-to-breakfast bus for school children jump-starts their day 6 East Meets West in the South 19 A blending of cultures gets locals walking and talking Active Transport Initiatives 7 Phillip Island’s Other Bikers 22 The Newhaven Riding School Bus makes school travel cool 8 Moonee Valley’s Movers and Shakers 25 Active transport initiatives aim to get everybody moving This publication was written by Tess Pryor for the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth). VicHealth thanks everyone who has helped to create liveable neighbourhoods by embracing the Walking School Bus program and those who have generously shared their stories for this publication. We would particularly like to thank the local councils, schools, volunteers and children who have made a difference at the local level. Walking Back to Happy Valley Photo: Courtesy Latrobe City Council Life in some parts of the Latrobe Valley can the role that local communities themselves will have on the be tough sometimes. This is especially so sustainability and liveability of the Valley. for families living in areas that were formerly The communities of Churchill and Morwell East demonstrate how local neighbourhoods are already on the move in a positive State Electricity Commission townships. The direction. In 2000 they became two of four areas in Latrobe privatisation of the S.E.C. and the increasing Valley designated as Neighbourhood Renewal Areas. An mechanisation of coal mining saw traditional initiative of the Department of Human Services, Neighbourhood opportunities for work in the area drop Renewal focuses on building stronger communities through dramatically. initiatives that aim to improve conditions relating to employment, housing, education, health and wellbeing, transport, safety and While the local council and business communities are now economic activities. optimistic for the future, for some residents, especially those In the case of both Churchill and Morwell East it meant living in public housing areas, unemployment is still relatively introducing programs to help narrow the gap between the high, money can be scarce and access to transport and other circumstances of people living in the public housing estates essential services is limited. of Glendonald and Beattie Crescent and that of the rest of the A number of future projects, such as the Australian Paper Mills community. And with Neighbourhood Renewal data showing expansion, the Monash Energy Coal to Liquids project and the an unemployment rate of more than 80% at Glendonald, the Gippsland Water Factory, are signs, the Latrobe City Council gap was enormous. says, of an economy on the mend. But it also acknowledges 4 Long live the media “I get a lot of pleasure out of getting to know the kids and developing trust and rapport ... Sometimes I wish I had 20 arms so I could hug them all at once!” At this time, other programs were introduced to Latrobe Valley, to helping our students get to school each day.’ one of them being the Walking School Bus program. The Walking on the bus has led to more children arriving at school Latrobe City Council received funding from VicHealth in 2003 to on time and less absenteeism. The bus continues to walk every start up the buses with local primary schools. Churchill Primary day in the morning, and has expanded its volunteer base with School, which services those living in the Glendonald Estate, help from community links with parents, ex-parents, members and Morwell Park Primary School, which looks after the children of the Co-operating Church and friends of volunteers. from Beattie Crescent Estate, quickly saw the links the Walking School Bus program had to neighbourhood renewal. ‘A lovely tradition has developed on our route whereby each morning the children call out “Good morning” to Con at the fish Elizabeth Tomlins, Walking School Bus Coordinator for the and chip shop, often using the Greek greeting “Gia sou (yasu)!”. Latrobe City Council explains: ‘Churchill Primary School was Recently our school began collecting aluminium cans to raise very keen to get involved. It is an outstanding example of a very money for our sponsored child in Mozambique, so now the successful Walking School Bus. Its success is largely due to the children scan for cans along the way too’, Jo adds. commitment and energy of former Vice-Principal John Turner.’ The school received money from Neighbourhood Renewal John very quickly saw the Walking School Buses as a conduit to run a breakfast club, so children who walk on the bus can to connecting the community and the children to the school. have breakfast when they arrive as well. ‘John is a very forward-thinking man. He noticed the kids Morwell Park Primary School’s Walking School Bus has also who were arriving late or not getting to school at all and so he been a huge hit in the local neighbourhood. The school’s targeted the families that he really wanted to help. He linked the Vice-Principal, Peter Credlin, has always been a big supporter Walking School Bus route to the area the kids lived in. Often he of the program, which was kicked off initially by heavy teacher or other teachers would walk on the bus. He initially didn’t care involvement. The bus’s popularity saw the volunteer base grow about the journey home as his motivation was to get the kids quickly, with the bus now run entirely by community volunteers to school first’, Elizabeth adds. from the Morwell Park Residents Group who meet regularly at John spent a lot of time developing relationships with the the local Neighbourhood House. community to promote the buses and their value to the wider The volunteers are dedicated to the children and the program community. He would attend residents’ group meetings and and are renowned for special touches such as regularly talk with many different people to encourage them to be part rewarding the children with encouraging gifts and little extras. of the program. ‘One group of volunteers makes certificates at the Jo Whitelaw, student welfare officer at the school, says the Neighbourhood House to present to the kids when they have Walking School Bus has had a very positive effect on the completed 40 walks. The volunteers are completely accepted children and the community. by the school and present the certificates to the kids at school ‘In many cases, families do not have the time or the ability assembly. The team leader of the volunteers, Elsie Lebrock, is to walk their children to school. The Walking School Bus so enthusiastic and devoted she actually bought drink bottles encourages the healthy and safe option of walking in a for the kids out of her own pocket’, Elizabeth says. ➤➤ supervised group as well as demonstrating our commitment www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/wsb 5 Elsie is 62 years old, has lived in Morwell for 22 years, and has In the summer Elsie buys the kids an icy pole: ‘They can get a grown-up family of her own. Volunteering to walk with the kids a bit cranky walking home in the heat, so I get the icy poles to has changed her life and her view of the neighbourhood. make the walk more enjoyable’. Her joy and pleasure at feeling connected to her community and participating in a project that ‘This has been fantastic for me – it gets me out of the house makes her feel valued is obvious.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Promoting Physical Activity and Active Living in Urban Environments
    PROMOTING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND ACTIVE LIVING IN URBAN ENVIRONMENTS LIVINGINURBANENVIRONMENTS ANDACTIVE ACTIVITY PHYSICAL PROMOTING The WHO Regional Offi ce for Europe THE SOLID The World Health Organization (WHO) is FACTS a specialized agency of the United Nations created in 1948 with the primary responsibility for international health People’s participation in physical activity is infl uenced by the built, natural matters and public and social environments in which people live as well as by personal health. The WHO Regional Offi ce for factors such as sex, age, ability, time and motivation. The way people Europe is one of six regional offi ces organize cities, design the urban environment and provide access to the throughout the world, each with its own natural environment can be an encouragement or a barrier to physical programme geared to the particular health activity and active living. Other barriers exist in the social environments conditions of the within which people work, learn, play and live. countries it serves. Physical activity is an essential component of any strategy that aims to Member States address the problems of sedentary living and obesity among children and Albania adults. Active living contributes to individual physical and mental health Andorra Armenia but also to social cohesion and community well-being. Opportunities for Austria being physically active are not limited to sports and organized recreation; Azerbaijan Belarus opportunities exist everywhere – where people live and work, in Belgium Bosnia and Herzegovina neighbourhoods and in educational and health establishments. Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus The Healthy Cities and urban governance programme of the WHO Czech Republic Denmark Regional Offi ce for Europe has focused on how local governments can Estonia Finland implement healthy urban planning to generate environments that France promote opportunities for physical activity and active living.
    [Show full text]
  • Costs of School Transportation: Quantifying the Fiscal Impacts of Encouraging Walking and Bicycling for School Travel
    Transportation DOI 10.1007/s11116-014-9569-7 Costs of school transportation: quantifying the fiscal impacts of encouraging walking and bicycling for school travel Noreen C. McDonald • Ruth L. Steiner • W. Mathew Palmer • Allison N. Bullock • Virginia P. Sisiopiku • Benjamin F. Lytle Ó Springer Science+Business Media New York 2014 Abstract National governments have provided subsidies for investments in increasing the safety and attractiveness of walking and biking to school. Evaluations of Safe Routes to School initiatives have found that they have been effective at changing behavior and reducing injuries. However, there has been little attention to the impacts of these programs on pupil transportation costs. This analysis assesses the potential economic benefits of Safe Routes to School programs in the US context by estimating the annual costs of using motorized transport for short trips to schools, examining real-world examples of the costs savings of SRTS programs, and evaluating land use impacts on school transportation costs using a simulation analysis of school bus routes. We find that there is potential for school districts and families to reduce transport expenditures through public sector investments in walking and biking infrastructure near schools. We also find that land use context matters N. C. McDonald (&) Á W. M. Palmer Department of City and Regional Planning, University of North Carolina, New East Building, CB 3140, Chapel Hill, NC, USA e-mail: [email protected] W. M. Palmer e-mail: [email protected] R. L. Steiner Á B. F. Lytle Department of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA e-mail: [email protected]fl.edu B.
    [Show full text]
  • Confronting School Bus Cuts
    Dwindling Budgets Bring Busing Blues Effective Practices to Confront School Busing Cuts Prepared by: New Jersey Safe Routes to School Resource Center Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center Prepared for: State of New Jersey Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration Date: April 2012 NEW JERSEY TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary .................................................................................................................. 01 Background ...............................................................................................................................04 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 04 The ABCs of School Transportation in New Jersey ....................................................... 05 School Transportation Funding 101 ............................................................................... 09 Advantages and Disadvantages of Courtesy Busing ................................................................. 14 Benefits of Courtesy Busing .......................................................................................... 15 Disadvantages of Courtesy Busing ................................................................................ 15 Research Analysis of School District Data for the Selection of Interviews ................................. 16 Literature Review .......................................................................................................... 16 Data
    [Show full text]
  • Walking and Transport in Melbourne Suburbs
    Walking and transport in Melbourne suburbs Supported by: This report was prepared by Josephine Eady and The authors would like to acknowledge the assistance Duane Burtt, Victoria Walks. of the following people in preparing this report: Victoria Walks Inc is a walking health promotion charity Anita Donnelly, City of Port Phillip working to get more Victorians walking more every Ben Rossiter, Victoria Walks day. Our vision is people walk whenever and wherever Cameron Munro, CDM Research possible, within strong and vibrant communities, with Craig McLean, City of Port Phillip resulting health benefits. Victoria Walks is supported by VicHealth. David Vial, IOSS Karl Sass, City of Ballarat © Victoria Walks Inc. Registration No. A0052693U Kate Simnett, Maribyrnong City Council Level 7, 225 Bourke Street, Melbourne VIC 3000 Kathleen Kemp, City of Port Phillip P: 03 9662 3975 Kylie Legge, Place Score E: [email protected] Mike Ruzzene, Urban Enterprise www.victoriawalks.org.au Tuesday Udell, Heart Foundation Victoria Walks would also like to acknowledge the Victorian Department of Transport for advice and use This publication is copyright. No part may be of the VISTA data. reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. ISBN-13: 978-0-6480502-6-1 Recommended citation Eady, J and Burtt, D (2019). Walking and transport in Melbourne suburbs. Victoria Walks, Melbourne, November 2019. Table of Contents Executive summary .......................................................... 2 Length of time at
    [Show full text]
  • Essex Walking Strategy
    Essex Walking Strategy Our Vision is to:- Create an environment which encourages "walking by considering the needs of pedestrians first." Essex Walking Strategy Contents Section Page 1 Introduction 4 2 About Walking 5 2.1 National Picture 5 2.2 Walking in Essex 6 3 Policy Context 10 3.1 National Policy 10 3.2 Essex County Council Policy 10 3.3 Health Improvement Plans 10 4 Vision, Objectives and Targets 12 4.1 Vision 12 4.2 Objectives 12 4.2.1 Promotion 12 4.2.2 Safety and Security 12 4.2.3 Environment 12 4.2.4 Planning 13 4.3 Targets 13 5 Strategy 14 5.1 Pedestrian Routes and Networks 14 5.1.1 Signing 15 5.1.2 Action Plan 16 5.2 Improving the Environment for Walking 17 5.2.1 Maintenance 17 5.2.2 Street lighting 18 5.2.3 Street Cleaning 19 5.2.4 Utilities Work 19 5.2.5 Parking on the Footway 20 5.2.6 Action Plan 20 5.3 Pedestrianisation 21 5.3.1 Commercial Factors 21 5.3.2 Accessibility 21 5.3.3 Pedestrian Security 22 5.3.4 Action Plan 22 page 1 Essex Walking Strategy Contents Section Page 5.4 Land use Planning 22 5.4.1 Location of Developments 23 5.4.2 Planning for Walking within Developments 25 5.4.3 Action Plan 26 5.5 Provision for People with Sensory and Mobility Impairment 26 5.5.1 Audible and Tactile Signals 27 5.5.2 Dropped Kerbs 27 5.5.3 Tactile Paving 27 5.5.4 Guard Railing 29 5.5.5 Removing Obstructions in the Footway 29 5.5.6 Raised Kerb Heights at Bus Stops 29 5.5.7 Action Plan 30 5.6 Road Safety 30 5.6.1 Child Pedestrians 31 5.6.2 Action Plan 33 5.7 Speed Reduction 33 5.7.1 Action Plan 34 5.8 Making Crossing Easier 34 5.8.1
    [Show full text]
  • Get Your School Walking a Guide to Promoting Walking for Schools
    www.getirelandactive.ie Get your school walking a guide to promoting walking for schools ScoileannaCothaitheSláinte Health Promoting Schools Walking all or some of the way to school is an inexpensive and convenient way to include more physical activity in a child’s everyday routine. The CD supplied contains various items, in both PDF and word formats, which will help get you started with the Walking to School Programme in your school! Get your school walking – a guide to promoting walking for schools Introduction Schools are an important setting that can provide support to improve the health and wellbeing of children and young people. Research has shown that health and education are inextricably linked. A Health Promoting School is defined by the World Health Organisation as “a school that constantly strengthens its capacity as a healthy setting for living, learning and working” (WHO 1997 promoting health through schools. Report of a WHO Expert Committee on Comprehensive School Health Education and Promotion. WHO Technical Report Series N0 870, Geneva). Being physically active is a core component of good health and well-being. The National Guidelines on Physical Activity for Ireland recommend that children and young people should be active for at least 60 minutes a day every day (Department of Health and Children, Health Service Executive (2009) The National Physical Activity Guidelines for Ireland). The evidence is that four out of five children are not sufficiently active for health benefits (Nic Gabhain S, Kelly C, Molcho M. 2007. The Irish Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) Study 2006 Health Promotion Research Centre, National University of Ireland, Galway).
    [Show full text]
  • Walk-On-Wednesday in Croydon
    Walk-on-Wednesday in Croydon Interactive Qualifying Project Report completed in partial fulfillment of the Bachelor of Science degree at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA Submitted to: Professor Stephen J. Weininger (advisor) Professor Ruth L. Smith (co-advisor) In Cooperation With Peter McDonald, Travel and Transport Planning Officer London Borough of Croydon Elizabeth Fortner _______________________________ Isabel Pagliaccio _______________________________ James Worcester _______________________________ Eileen Wrabel _______________________________ April 25, 2013 _____________________________________ Advisor Signature _____________________________________ Co-advisor Signature Abstract This project, sponsored by the London Borough of Croydon, evaluated the Walk on Wednesday program, which encourages primary school students to walk to school at least once a week. It was assessed from the perspectives of school and Council staff, parents, and students using interviews, surveys, workshops, and observations. We found that Walk on Wednesday would be beneficial to Croydon, provided the Council refocuses the implementation process, increases parental involvement, and focuses primarily on schools with a strong staff advocate. i Acknowledgments Our team would like to thank our sponsor, Croydon Council, for giving us the opportunity to work on this project. We would especially like to thank our liaison, Peter McDonald, for providing us the guidance, advice, and resources necessary for the success of this project. We would also like to thank Hulya Ataoglu for sharing her expertise in working with Croydon schools and for her help in contacting them. We would also like to thank Anna Portch, Daniel Davis, and Robert Brown for taking time from their busy schedules to speak with us about their work for Croydon Council. Their knowledge and advice was invaluable in understanding how walking to school programs fit with other Council initiatives and how they can be improved in the future.
    [Show full text]
  • Pedestrian Facilities Users Guide — Providing Safety and Mobility
    Pedestrian Facilities Users Guide — Providing Safety and Mobility Publication No. FHWA-RD-01-102 U.S. Department of Transportation March 2002 Federal Highway Administration Research and Development Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center 6300 Georgetown Pike McLean, VA 22101-2296 Foreword The FHWA’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Research Program’s overall goal is to increase pedestrian and bicycle safety and mobility. From better crosswalks, sidewalks, and pedestrian technologies to expanding public educational and safety programs, the FHWA’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Research Program strives to pave the way for a more walkable future. The Pedestrian Facilities Users Guide was part of a large FHWA study entitled “Evaluation of Pedestrian Facilities.” The guide is the culmination of results from the research conducted as part of the large study. The guide provides useful information regarding walkable environments, pedestrian crashes and their countermeasures, and engineering improvements for pedestrians. This guide will be useful for transportation engineers, planners, and safety professionals who are involved in increasing pedestrian safety and mobility. Citizens may also use this guide for identifying tools to improve the safety and mobility of all who walk. Michael F.Trentacoste, Director Office of Safety Research and Development Notice This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the Department of Transportation in the interest of information exchange. The United States Government assumes no liability for its contents or use thereof. This report does not constitute a standard, specification or regulation. The United States Government does not endorse products or manufacturers. Trade and manufacturers’ names appear in this report only because they are considered essential to the object of the document.
    [Show full text]
  • Air Quality Action Plan for Leicester Draft Report
    Leicester City Council Air Quality Action Plan for Leicester Draft Report September 2004 Air Quality Action Plan for Leicester 0 CONTENTS CONTENTS .............................................................................................................. 0 1. INTRODUCTION AND AIMS OF THE PLAN ........................................................ 5 1.1 THE BACKGROUND ...................................................................................................... 5 1.2 REVIEW AND ASSESSMENT: THE NITROGEN DIOXIDE PROBLEM ................................... 6 KEY FACTS............................................................................................................................. 6 1.2.1 MAJOR SOURCES AND AREAS AFFECTED BY NO2 ................................................. 6 1.2.2 THE AMOUNT OF IMPROVEMENT REQUIRED ......................................................... 7 1.3 THE AIMS OF THE AIR QUALITY ACTION PLAN .......................................................... 9 1.4 PROGRESS IN LEICESTER .......................................................................................... 11 1.5 THE AIR QUALITY ACTION PLAN IN THE CONTEXT OF CORPORATE POLICY .............. 12 2. EXISTING STRATEGIES AND PLANS RELEVANT TO AIR QUALITY ............. 15 2.1 ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGIES ........................................................................................ 15 2.1.1 CORPORATE PLAN 2003-2006 ......................................................................... 15 2.1.2 LEICESTER‘S COMMUNITY PLAN .......................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • WEA RAMBLERS Sydney
    WEA RAMBLERS Sydney This list of previous WEA Ramblers Sydney walks has been compiled for leaders and prospective leaders to use when planning walks. Copy and add your own variations and include transport times and information before submitting your walk (see the form in the Walks Program or on this website). The walks in this table are alphabetised by starting point, however your area of search may be at the BEGINNING, MIDDLE or END in the TITLE and DESCRIPTION column. To find/search: (Ctrl+F) or use the search box for text. Edition 12 Grade TITLE and DESCRIPTION Distance ABBOTSFORD - ROZELLE Grade 2 Ferry from Circular Quay to Abbotsford. Approx 11 kms Mostly flat, water views. Parks, Bay Run. Bus or Ferry back to the City. ABORIGINAL HERITAGE TOUR OF BERRY ISLAND plus OPTIONAL WALK TO MILSONS POINT. Part 1 Train from Central (T1 North Shore Line) to Wollstonecraft. Part 1 Grade 1 Part 1 is an easy short walk led by an Aboriginal Heritage Officer lasting about an hour. As we walk along the Gadyan track, we’ll learn more about the Approx 2 kms special historical and cultural significance of Berry Island and surrounding area. Morning tea in the adjoining reserve. Part 2 Option of returning to Wollstonecraft station or continuing for Part 2 of the walk. This will take us along the undulating bush tracks, paths, steps and Part 2 Grade 2 streets via Balls Head to Milsons Point where there will be a coffee option. Join either or both parts Approx 9 kms ALLAMBIE HEIGHTS – EVA’S TRACK – CURL CURL TRACK - MANLY DAM Grade 2-3 Manly Ferry from Circular Quay Wharf 3 to Manly Wharf Approx 9 -10 kms Please leave ferry promptly to catch bus as there is not much time.
    [Show full text]
  • Rio Vista Elementary School SAFE ROUTES to SCHOOL MAG ITS/TE On-Call Services On-Call Contract 735-D | Task Order SR1901 May 2019 Prepared For
    Pendergast Elementary School District Rio Vista Elementary School SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL MAG ITS/TE On-Call Services On-Call Contract 735-D | Task Order SR1901 May 2019 Prepared for Prepared by Jacobs Engineering Group Inc Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Study for Rio Vista Elementary School - Pendergast Elementary School District TABLE OF CONTENTS Why is SRTS Important? ........................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Project Description .................................................................................................................................................................... 2 Study Process .............................................................................................................................................................................................. 2 State and Federal Support ...................................................................................................................................................................... 3 SRTS Stakeholder Team ........................................................................................................................................................................... 3 Kickoff Meeting .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 4 Existing Conditions Assessment
    [Show full text]
  • Exploring Parental Perceptions About School Travel and Walking School Buses: a Thematic Analysis Approach T ⁎ Alexandros Nikitasa, , Judith Y.T
    Transportation Research Part A 124 (2019) 468–487 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Transportation Research Part A journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/tra Exploring parental perceptions about school travel and walking school buses: A thematic analysis approach T ⁎ Alexandros Nikitasa, , Judith Y.T. Wangb, Cathy Knamillera a Department of Logistics, Marketing, Hospitality and Analytics, Huddersfield Business School, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, United Kingdom b School of Civil Engineering and Institute for Transport Studies, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, United Kingdom ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Keywords: Establishing a less car-oriented mobility ethos through initiatives targeting, among others, Walking school bus children’s travel to school could be a key for unlocking the potential for a more sustainable Walking future. A Walking School Bus (WSB) is a relatively new and scarcely evaluated commuting Travel to school mechanism that in theory provides a creative scheme capable of inspiring voluntary travel be- Sustainable mobility haviour change for children and parents. Through a series of in-depth focus group sessions that Active transport were conducted in Bradford, UK this article explores the perceptions of parents that are ulti- Thematic analysis mately the decision-makers about how their children go to school. This work improves the un- derstanding of the different challenges and opportunities underpinning travel to school, in general, and WSBs, in particular, by identifying and discussing six thematic areas of critical importance that explain the decision-making behind potential WSB uptake. These are namely: logistics, safety, trust, health and wellbeing, emotional needs and educational opportunities. Finally, the paper provides policy recommendations about how WSB initiatives can become more effective and attractive mobility tools for local communities.
    [Show full text]