First off, good on you for wanting to set up a walking school bus! They are a wonderful way to get children walking, reduce vehicle traffic to school and around school gates, promote health and fitness and help to build a supportive and safe community for all. Here are a few ideas for getting started on setting up a walking school bus in your area.
1. Land Transport New Zealand has guidelines and "kit" for setting up a walking school bus (WSB) – they can be found at:
- http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/sustainable-transport/guidelines/index.html
- http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/travel/school/walking-school-buses/resource-kits...
2. Parents should talk to their children’s school to both gain support for the idea and to publicise it through school newsletters and assemblies etc.
3. To be successful, a WSB needs good parental support. This can be gained through links in the classroom (as students learn about the safety, health, environmental and community benefits of walking to school they can influence their parents).
4. It is also helpful to contact people working in local government for assistance and guidance. Find out if there are road safety coordinators in your region
Thanks go to Simon Vincent for his assistance in putting this together.