Walking bus
Encyclopedia
A walking bus is a form of student transport
for schoolchildren who, chaperoned by two adults (a "Driver" leads and a "conductor" follows) walk to school, in much the same way a school bus
would drive them to school. Like a traditional bus, walking buses have a fixed route with designated "bus stops" and "pick up times" in which they pick up children.
County Council. It was first used by students of Wheatfields Junior School in St Albans
, United Kingdom
in 1998
Walking Buses have remained popular in the United Kingdom
and have recently gained a level of popularity elsewhere in Europe, North America and New Zealand
. Proponents of walking buses say that its aims are to:
In Auckland
, New Zealand, as at November 2007, one hundred schools run 230 Walking School Buses with over 4,000 children and 1,500 adults participating.
In some countries, parents and/or children on walking buses are encouraged to wear brightly coloured vests. This has led to criticism that the walking bus is too regimented, and fails to achieve its original purpose of improving children's independent mobility. David Engwicht, whose 1992 book "Reclaiming our Cities and Towns" is credited by some as the origin of the Walking School Bus concept, has since stated that "The moment the Walking Bus turns into an official program, it creates some significant difficulties, particularly in litigious and risk-adverse cultures."
Student transport
Student transport is the transporting of children and teenagers to and from schools and school events. School transport can be undertaken by school students themselves , they may be accompanied by family members or caregivers, or the transport may be organised collectively, using buses or...
for schoolchildren who, chaperoned by two adults (a "Driver" leads and a "conductor" follows) walk to school, in much the same way a school bus
School bus
A school bus is a type of bus designed and manufactured for student transport: carrying children and teenagers to and from school and school events...
would drive them to school. Like a traditional bus, walking buses have a fixed route with designated "bus stops" and "pick up times" in which they pick up children.
History
The concept of the walking bus was first invented in Australia 1992 by David Engwicht and introduced in the United Kingdom in 1998 by HertfordshireHertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
County Council. It was first used by students of Wheatfields Junior School in St Albans
St Albans
St Albans is a city in southern Hertfordshire, England, around north of central London, which forms the main urban area of the City and District of St Albans. It is a historic market town, and is now a sought-after dormitory town within the London commuter belt...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in 1998
Walking Buses have remained popular in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and have recently gained a level of popularity elsewhere in Europe, North America and New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. Proponents of walking buses say that its aims are to:
- Encourage physical activity by teaching children the skills to walk safely, how to identify safe routes to school, and the benefits of walking
- Raise awareness of how walkable a community is and where improvements can be made
- Raise concern for the environment
- Reduce crime and take back neighbourhoods for people on foot
- Reduce traffic congestion, pollution, and speed near schools
- Share valuable time with local community leaders, parents, and children
In Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
, New Zealand, as at November 2007, one hundred schools run 230 Walking School Buses with over 4,000 children and 1,500 adults participating.
In some countries, parents and/or children on walking buses are encouraged to wear brightly coloured vests. This has led to criticism that the walking bus is too regimented, and fails to achieve its original purpose of improving children's independent mobility. David Engwicht, whose 1992 book "Reclaiming our Cities and Towns" is credited by some as the origin of the Walking School Bus concept, has since stated that "The moment the Walking Bus turns into an official program, it creates some significant difficulties, particularly in litigious and risk-adverse cultures."
Bicycle train
Bicycle train is the same concept but instead of walking the students and adult(s) move by bicycle.See also
- Crossing guardCrossing guardA crossing guard , a school crossing patrol officer , school crossing supervisor or school road patrol is a traffic management specialist who is normally stationed on busy roadways to aid pedestrians...
- Walk Safely to School DayWalk Safely to School DayWalk Safely to School Day is an annual, national event in Australia in which primary school children are encouraged to walk or communte safely to school, an initiative of the Pedestrian Council of Australia . It is held annually in May on a varying date...
- Walk to school campaignWalk to school campaignThe Walk to School Campaign is a British campaign promoting the benefits of walking to school. It is a founder member of the IWALK organisation....
- Walk to Work DayWalk to Work DayWalk to Work Day is an annual, national event in Australia in which people are encouraged to walk to work, an initiative of the Pedestrians Council of Australia . In 2008, it was held on 3 October.-See also:*Crossing guard...
External links
- Students 'ride' to school on foot — The Christian Science Monitor, October 21, 2003.