TravelWise to school

What is a TravelWise school travel plan?

It is a set of practical actions aimed at improving road safety and reducing car trips to school. It is developed with information and input from parents and students, and with the support of Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) and North Shore City Council's school travel plan staff.

Fewer car trips to school help to keep children active and safe while reducing our traffic problems. The children themselves learn to form healthy and sustainable travel habits for the future.

North Shore City was the first council to develop the TravelWise programme in New Zealand. Due to its success, it was picked up and developed into a regional programme in partnership with ARTA and other councils. Because of TravelWise, fewer cars are on the roads and the number of morning trips to school on the North Shore has fallen by more than 1,570 per day.

That means a decrease of 460 tonnes of CO2 emission every year, and last year ( 2007) North Shore TravelWise school plans led to 5.12% decrease in travel by family cars to school.

Actions in a Travel Plan can include:

• setting up Walking School Buses at primary schools
• road safety engineering improvements for students who walk and cycle to school
• promotions that raise awareness of the benefits of active and sustainable travel to school
• putting in safe pedestrian crossing facilities and cycle ways
• traffic-calming measures
• promotional activities that encourage ride sharing, walking, cycling bus use
• cycle safety, skills development and education
• improved cycle storage facilities
• road safety information and education for parents and students
• parking restrictions and enforcement.

Who to contact at council

Useful links
Road safety and school brochures