Several schemes are planned or in place to encourage pupils to walk, wheel, cycle, or use public transport for school travel, the council’s Net Zero, Environment, and Transport committee has heard.
Based on a travel plan developed alongside pupils, a new cycle track has been installed at Brimmond School to encourage younger pupils to cycle to school and practice their road safety skills in the playground. Coloured footprints painted on traffic free paths around the school, leading up to the gates, are encouraging pupils to safely walk to school with friends.
Niamh, aged 11, from Brimmond School said: “I feel so much safer when cycling to school. I know which route to follow because the path is clear. I am so happy I now have the choice to cycle to school safely."
Aberdeen City Council Co-Leader Councillor Ian Yuill said: “The Council is committed to ensuring every child has access to a safe walking or cycling route to school, reducing the need for car travel.
“I am particularly pleased to see children enjoying taking their bikes to school.”
Committee Vice Convener Councillor Miranda Radley added: “We are looking forward to seeing more students travel to our city’s schools in a healthy and sustainable way.
“Engagement with pupils and parents is at the heart of these efforts. It’s exciting to see young people learning and making a choice to change to the way they travel to school.”
A survey was conducted this April to gather feedback from parent councils and head teachers on healthy, active, and safe travel for young people. Results revealed 16 of the 20 schools that took part have their own travel plans in place, including initiatives like the bike bus programme at Countesswells School which encourages children and families to ride their bikes to school together.
Seven schools have also shown an interest in taking part in a “School Streets” project. This pilot which will see traffic restrictions placed around a school to improve air quality, increase feelings of safety, and encourage physical activity around the school. The School Streets concept is already established in other areas of Scotland, the UK, and Europe. The first school will be selected later this year.