Active way to school program aims to increase the activity, sustainability and safety of school journeys
Active way to school (Fiksusti kouluun) is a joint program by Likes and the Cycling Municipalities Network to promote active travel to school, operating in cooperation with the Liikkuva koulu (Active School) program. Likes and the Cycling Municipalities Network have been working together on developing school travel since 2018. The Active way to school program is funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom. The program provides information and advice for planning and implementing smarter school journeys (fiksustikouluun.fi).
From Janakkala, the Välkky school center is currently participating in the program. Last week, as part of the program, a reflector campaign was organized, in which school and municipal employees patrolled the school yard on two mornings. The campaign focused on the use of reflectors, bicycle lights and helmets, as well as traffic safety related to drop-off traffic. Pupils and preschoolers who had reflectors or bicycle lights and helmets in order were rewarded with a candy. Reflectors were handed out to those travelling without one and they were encouraged to hang the reflector on their coat.
On the first morning, an unfortunately large number of reflectors had to be handed out and notes were made about missing bicycle lights. On the second morning, it was pleasing to see that many of the reflectors distributed the previous morning were hanging from coats and backpacks. The use of bicycle lights also increased. Also participating in the campaign were the Finnish Road Safety Council (Liikenneturva) and Lehdon Liikenne Oy.
Following the two-day campaign, a morning assembly with a reflector and traffic safety theme was held. In the assembly, attendees heard where it is best to hang a reflector and how much it increases visibility in traffic. In addition, fifth graders performed a reflector dance, which demonstrated concretely how much better people equipped with reflectors are seen when light hits them compared with someone wearing dark clothes with no reflectors at all.
As part of the Active way to school program, more events and campaigns will be organized to promote active, sustainable and safe school journeys. For next spring, for example, a school travel kilometer challenge is being planned to encourage pupils to walk or cycle to school. There has also been discussion of, for example, a “Honk if you promise to slow down” campaign and measures to improve the smoothness of the school’s pick-up and drop-off traffic. Participation in the program does not require specific measures, but it has goals that are pursued by the schools.
The goals of the Active way to school program are:
1. More active and sustainable travel on school journeys
2. Better traffic safety on school journeys
3. Strengthening a culture of active and sustainable travel in schools and teaching
4. Support for strategies and operating models for active and sustainable school journeys
More information about the program: fiksustikouluun.fi