Active mobility to school is a promising strategy to meet the WHO recommendations on physical activity. Parents’ perceptions of traffic risks are important in their decision concerning their child’s transport mode to school. How can parents be persuaded that it is better for their children to walk or cycle to school instead of being car driven ?
During the annual world cycling summit Velo-city, held in Ghent (Flanders, Belgium) in June 2024, I detailed the work we are doing in Nantes Metropole on this topic. Here is my speech and the slides of my presentation.
© Velo-city
Hello, I am an elected official, a city and metropolitan councillor of Nantes, the historical capital of Brittany. I’m in charge of the development of cycling practices. Nantes has a strong ambition for the development of active modes of mobility and carbon neutrality, in a context of ecological transition.
We are convinced that active mobility to school should be learned from an early age! Therefore Nantes metropole supports its 24 municipalities and their schools to enhance active mobility amongst children. This is what I’m going to introduce to you today.
Our main goal is to enhance cycling and walking and to reduce the part of solo-car driving. To achieve this, we are committed to develop the practice of walking and cycling. We seek to achieve 4 times more cyclists in 2030 compared to 2015. And being halfway there in 2023, we have already multiplied the number of cyclists by 3!
To meet these goals, we have designed a city that is more secure for pedestrians and cyclists, with :
- investments in quality infrastructure and public spaces,
- new schemes and greater communication on the main cycle lanes,
- a range of bicycle services for everyone,
- financial subsidies,
- actions focused on kids
We would like to create a common culture and set up the best conditions for changing mobility practices on the way to school. To achieve this goal, we are encouraging parents to leave their private car at home, wherever possible.
There are many benefits related to public health, environment, peaceful public spaces, education, and social ties. All these benefits are linked to the public policies of Nantes Metropole.
Our framework is based on two main missions.
First of all, the creation of a network, with local actors (such as cyclist associations, parents…) and our municipal and metropolitan teams.
We want to share experiences, discuss possibilities for action, and visit interesting places.
Nantes metropole offers to its 24 municipalities tools to act on 4 complementary levels :
- adapted infrastructure,
- awareness raising and communication with families,
- mobility education for children,
- supporting parents' initiatives to move to school by riding a bike or walking.
The action plans for each school are built on a case-by-case basis, between the local authorities, the Metropolitan council, the parents and the teachers.
Here are some visuals of our infrastructures :
- the development of comfortable and secure pedestrian squares for children in front of the school
- bicycle and kick scooter parking for children and teachers within the school yard.
But also simpler and cheaper actions for rapid transformations have been implemented : fun nudges and ground markings, tactical urban planning to test uses before carrying out permanent developments/devices.
We experiment. For example : school streets, closed to traffic during children's entry and exit times slots. After a period of experimentation, it is decided whether to perpetuate it or not.
(Note: 9 school streets in the city of Nantes and 19 in the the whole metropolitan area)
Illustration of awareness-raising actions around schools. Maps showing the “paths to the schools” have been designed in order to:
- favor existing routes dedicated to pedestrians, bicycles or public transports,
- show parking spaces outside the school streets
- indicate travel times at a child speed (3 km/h)
In Nantes, we have a partnership with the local police and parents to slow down the traffic and avoid “drives” in front of the school.
The metropole has published an information leaflet about the benefits of active mobility on the way to school.
Some examples of actions with children :
- The Traffic Snake Game challenge (Emile le Serpent Mobile): going to school in an eco-friendly way for 15 days.
- Teaching children to cycle.
- Educational sessions carried outdoors.
Illustration of alternative mobility :
- huge and collective school-bikes
- pedestrian itinerary and meeting points to go to school
The success of these projects mainly relies on the involvement and synergy between parents, children, teachers, elected officials and city agents, building shared action plans.
We want to involve children in school ecomobility projects/actions/initiatives, we want to listen to their feelings and help them to become eco-friendly and responsible citizens.
Tools have been created for them, such as this survey to know about their opinion on temporary works made in the streets around the schools.
More broadly, this shows our willingness to place greater emphasis on children in the urban planning policies of the city of tomorrow.
© Velo-city
Some samples from the following Q&A session :
> What’s your main motive to promote active mobility ?
5 good reasons to go to school by bike or foot :
►1) health
Being active increases daily physical activity, which is essential to your well-being. Fewer cars around the school also means breathing less polluted air.
►2) autonomy
Going to and from school, other than by car, means becoming independent. The child on foot or on a bike develops greater attention in the street and thus becomes more vigilant.
►3) time and money
Traveling by bike saves time and above all guarantees a more reliable journey time. Leaving your car in the garage also means saving fuel!
►4) environment
When car traffic around schools decreases, the danger disappears. Cycling and walking contribute to a more friendly neighborhood atmosphere, for everyone.
►5) friendliness
On foot or by bike, the journey goes on a “child rhythm”. Slowing down means taking advantage of this available time to discuss, share and talk.
> How are you communicating with the parents – to convince them that it is better for their children to walk or cycle to school instead of being car driven?
We have published a leaflet which highlights all the benefits of active ways of getting to school, in particular on children's health issues. We know that children are moving less and less... even though the WHO recommends at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day.
When we work with a school, we organize awareness sessions with parents, through route plans and exploratory walks. In Nantes, we also want parents to get really involved, for example in the management of school street barriers.
We are providing access to public transport for the entire population: since 2021, buses and trams have been free on weekends, subscription prices have been reduced by 20% and solidarity pricing has been extended to more people.
> Can you give any examples of improvements of the road environment that you have done in your municipality/country to make cycling to school comfortable and safe?
The City of Nantes and other municipalities in the metropole have limited the speed to 30 km/h: less noise, less speed, more peace and security for walking and cycling.
Today, 96% of primary schools in the metropole (i.e. 250 schools) are located in quiet streets: streets with a maximum speed of 20 or 30 km/h or pedestrian streets!
At the same time, new cycling facilities and new pedestrian areas are being developed. Cycling or walking must be more pleasant and safer, particularly to reach schools.
> Any good/bad experiences you would like to mention?
A bad one : the sustainability of school streets is sometimes more difficult than expected ; a long-terme mobilization of parents and agents is not always easy.
A good one : collecting children's feelings and expectations is exciting. They are the best ambassadors of active mobility and nature in the city!
(only 2 minor accidents)
> What are the greatest challenges trying to promote cycling to school?
Definitely : secure infrastructures ; and not only in front of the school, but all around, in the neighborhood.
This means also fighting against vehicles which often park on sidewalks and cycle paths to quickly drop off children.
In Nantes, the extension of the area of “paid parking” and the suppression of 2000 parking lots made it possible to free up the sidewalks for pedestrians, to de-waterproof the soil and to plant, as well as to secure the circulation of bicycles.
Knowing how to ride a bike for everyone is a great challenge too.
> Any recommendations you would like to give to other municipalities?
Listening to local needs (children, parents, teachers…) and then building shared action plans, adapted to each situation. The involvement of all stakeholders is a condition for success.Daring to experiment with works that quickly show the transformation of a street is a key factor (such as tactical urban planning, ground patterns, school streets forbidden to cars…).
This does not require many financial resources but the commitment of communities and schools.
Thus, changes in mobility practices can really begin.
