Time period
Safe Routes to School: Green-Schools Travel National Programme
- Ireland Dublin
Summary
The Safe Routes to School programme in Ireland promotes safer, healthier, and more environmentally sustainable journeys to school, with a strong focus on walking and cycling. Rather than addressing mobility solely through infrastructure, the programme combines spatial improvements, data collection, and behavioral strategies to transform everyday school travel.
Projects are developed through collaboration between schools, local authorities, and communities, typically guided by surveys on travel patterns and traffic conditions, including vehicle speed. Interventions include upgrades in school surroundings, safer crossings, widened pavements, traffic calming, reduced speed zones, and cycling infrastructure such as dedicated routes and bicycle parking.
The programme also tests school street interventions, along with education, training, and awareness campaigns to encourage active mobility. By integrating diagnosis, land use planning and behavior change, the initiative supports children’s independence, safety, and wellbeing, while reducing car dependency and fostering more sustainable mobility patterns.
Key aspects
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National scalability
Operates as a nationwide scheme that schools can join, enabling consistent yet locally adapted interventions. -
Promotes the development of School Travel Plans
Diagnosis and collaboration with school communities guide context‑specific actions. -
Community based planning and engagement
Involves students, families, and local stakeholders in identifying needs and shaping solutions. -
Enabling active and autonomous mobility
Implements spatial and behavioral measures that support safe, active, independent, and sustainable travel for children and youth.