School Mobility Initiatives

Getting children to school safely is a key part of planning for schools. In urban areas, this means promoting safe ways for children to get to school by walking, scooting, wheeling and cycling.

Having an active journey to school benefits students as they get exercise and fresh air. Reducing the number of children brought to and from school by private vehicles also minimises hazards for children walking and wheeling. 

Dublin City Council, with the support of the National Transport Authority and An Taisce Green Schools, is currently working on the Safe Routes to School initiative to encourage as many students as possible to make the move to car-free school commutes.

View a list of the schools that we have worked with or are currently working with as part of this programme.

School Zones

As part of the Safe Routes to School initiative, Dublin City Council works with primary and secondary schools on front-of-school infrastructure. These School Zones give priority to students at the school gate by freeing up footpaths and reducing vehicle drop-offs, pick-ups and idling.

School Zones are designed to:

• Increase student safety.
• Reduce vehicle drop-offs, pick-ups and idling outside the school gate.
• Reduce congestion and prioritise Active Travel, such as walking, cycling, wheeling and scooting, to and from school.
• Encourage slow, safe driving in the area of the school
• Promote considerate parking.
• Reduce emissions and improve air and noise quality by reducing traffic and vehicles with engines idling.

School Zones can include:

• ‘School Zone’ road markings on approach to the front of the school.
• Colourful circle road markings to alert drivers to the School Zone.
• Rigid or semi-rigid pencil-shaped bollards on the footpath or in the carriageway to prevent illegal parking.
• Flashing amber ‘School Ahead’ signs.
• Tactile paving.
• Speed bumps.
• Junction tightening.

Applications for the School Zone project are currently closed. However, schools can support sustainable travel for students in other ways.

The Journey to School

Throughout the country, parents, guardians and school staff work together to support Active Travel initiatives in school communities. Increasing the number of students who walk, scoot or cycle to school reduces congestion at the school gate and creates a safer environment for all children on their journey to school. 

Dublin City Council can assist with initiatives that encourage Active Travel. These include:

Walking Buses

A walking bus involves adult volunteers accompanying children to walk to school along a set route in a small group. Walking buses are an organised way for children to walk to school together with adult supervision. They need commitment from parents and guardians to get started and keep going, but many successful examples exist all over the country. 

Park and Stride Schemes

Park and Stride initiatives encourage parents to drop children at a car park near their school and walk the remainder of the journey, which is usually less than five minutes. They can walk with a parent, independently or as part of a walking bus. This reduces cars at the school gate and creates a safer environment. 

Cycle Buses

Another great alternative to driving to school is a cycle bus. This is the same principle as a walking bus with children and volunteers on bikes instead of on foot.

Dublin City Council subsidises Cycle Right training in schools, which schools can apply for through Cycling Ireland.

Learn More

Visit the links below to find out more about School Zones and Active Travel:

• What is a School Zone? 
• How to support your School Zone.
• Why is Active Travel important? 
• What is the Safe Routes to School Programme?

Contact the Sustainable Mobility Team

If you have any questions or would like support from Dublin City Council to set up any of these Active Travel initiatives, please contact us below.