TfL says almost a quarter of London schools are making significant progress in shifting pupils’ travel habits to walking and cycling, as part of its education programmes.
Since 2007, TfL, in partnership with all London boroughs and the London Transport Museum, has run a variety of school programmes for pupils aged 3-17 years.
These are designed to help young Londoners travel better and choose active travel options – walking, cycling and scooting.
The majority of London’s 3,313 schools are participating in one or more of the TfL education programmes formerly known as Road Safety Club, STARS, Safety and Citizenship and TravelSmart.
The programmes are now being consolidated under a single banner – TfL Travel for Life.
TfL says this will bring all of its different programmes together to create one cohesive programme through a child’s school life, that will help them travel with confidence and independence, with a new website and more support for teachers and parents.
Lilli Matson, TfL’s chief safety, health and environment officer, said: “There is nothing more important than children’s health, and prioritising active travel to school is the key to unlocking so many improvements in their wellbeing.
“We’re delighted to see so many of the schools already involved with our education programmes take such positive steps towards increasing active travel, working towards the common goal of parents and teachers across the city for children to grow up healthy and happy.
“TfL Travel for Life keeps all the successful elements of our education programmes while introducing new features that make it even easier and quicker to manage, and we urge all parents to consider walking and cycling for the school run if they’re not already.”
26 September 2023