1
Identifying active
travel routes to
school
Step-by-step guide, templates and
resources
School Active Travel is jointly funded by the Victorian Government and VicHealth.
2
Contents:
Benefits of using active travel to get to and from school ....................................................... 3
What are active travel routes to school? ............................................................................... 3
How can I identify and promote active travel routes to school? ............................................ 4
Appendix 1: Hands Up! Student Survey (baseline data collection template – option 1) ....... 6
Appendix 2: Student Survey (baseline data collection template – option 2) ......................... 7
Appendix 3: Parent Survey (baseline data collection template) ............................................ 9
Appendix 4: Walkability Checklist........................................................................................ 11
Appendix 5: Example School Active Travel Route Maps .................................................... 12
Appendix 6: Hands Up! Student Survey (follow up data collection template – option 1) .... 13
Appendix 7: Student Survey (follow up data collection template – option 2) ...................... 14
Appendix 8: Parent Survey (follow up data collection template) ......................................... 16
Appendix 9: Other Useful Information/Resources/Research .............................................. 18
3
Benefits of using active travel to get to and from school
Whilst many of us know that physical activity is great for overall health and wellbeing, the challenge is often finding
the time to do it. Children have to get to and from school somehow, and by choosing to travel by foot, bike, scooter
or skateboard children (and adults travelling with them!) are more likely to achieve their recommended 60 minutes
of physical activity per day.
Schools are also prone to high traffic and parking congestion around pick up and drop off times. More students and
families walking and riding to and from school (even part of the way) can help to reduce traffic and parking
congestion around schools. This also helps to create safer communities for children to walk and ride.
Active travel is also really important for children’s learning and development. Road safety is a vital skill for everyone
and is not something children just ‘get’ automatically, and is not something children learn from the back seat of a
car. Walking, scooting, riding or skating to and from school helps children to learn important road safety skills which
will help keep them safe when they start to travel independently.
Benefits to active travel include:

Helps children meet their recommended 60 minutes of physical activity per day which is great for their
health and wellbeing

Less traffic and parking congestion around schools

More children and families using school children’s crossings (schools may be eligible for a crossing supervisor
if there is lots of pedestrian and cyclists using the children’s crossing)

Less cars at pick up and drop off times which creates safer places for children to walk and ride

Children learn valuable road safety skills which will help to keep them safe when they start to travel
independently

Children will be more familiar and connected to their neighbourhood

Children have the opportunity to be social as they are able to walk with their friends, family and members of
the community

Children will be more alert and have better concentration levels which will improve learning at school
What are active travel routes to school?
Active travel routes with designated ‘pick up/drop off points’ are safe and accessible routes children and families can
use to walk and ride along to get to and from school. Active travel routes support everyone to use active travel to
and from school, particularly families and students that live too far
away from the school to walk and ride. Families simply park their
car at the ‘pick up/drop off points’ (or anywhere along the active
travel route) so children can walk and ride the remainder of the
way.
This step-by-step guide and the templates have been developed to
support your school to identify and promote active travel routes to
school.
4
How can I identify and promote active travel routes to school?
Step 9: Review
and celebrate
success!
Step 1: Active
Travel working
group
Step 8: Collect
follow up data
Step 2: Collect
baseline data
Step 7:
Launch/promote
safe active travel
routes to school
Step 3: Idenify
where people are
living around the
school
Step 4: Identify
potential safe
active travel
routes to school
Step 6: Create
your own school
active travel map
Step 5: Assess
potential safe
active travel
routes to school
Step 1: Develop an active travel working group
Schools will have different approaches, but ideally your working group will involve a range of people to plan and
share tasks. It may be a group of staff or parents, a class within your school, or a mix of students, parents, staff and
local organisations! Consider using existing structures or groups rather than create a new or separate working group.
Step 2: Collect baseline data
Collect baseline data before commencing your active travel routes project. This can be used later to determine
whether there has been an increase in active travel. Data collection templates: Appendix 1, 2 & 3
Step 3: Identify where people live around the school
Knowing where families are travelling from will help you to identify accessible active travel routes. You could do this
by printing a map of your schools local area and marking each family’s residence on the map (tip - children love to
colour in where they live!). If you are registered to the Healthy Together Achievement Program, the City of Greater
Geelong can organise an A0 sized 1.5km radius map of your school for you.
5
Step 4: Identify potential active travel routes to school with ‘pick up/drop off points’
Now you know where students are travelling from, identify active travel routes (approx 500m – 1km) that families
and children can use to travel to and from the school. Keep in mind that the routes should be accessible, safe and
enjoyable to travel along by foot, bike or scooter. At the end of each route, identify a ‘pick up/drop off point’ that
will show where families can safely drop or pick up children. Make sure there is suitable parking at the pick up/drop
off points (tip – recreation reserves and, community centres can make great ‘pick up/drop off points’). If you are
registered to the Healthy Together Achievement Program, the City of Greater Geelong can support your school to
identify suitable active travel routes and ‘pick up/drop off’ points.
Step 5: Assess potential active travel routes to school
Now you have identified a number of active travel routes you want to check that they are accessible, safe and
enjoyable. There are resources available that can help you assess the routes (Appendix 4: Walkability Checklist). You
may find that you identify hazards or issues that make walking and riding difficult along the active travel routes.
Contact the City of Greater Geelong, they may be able to improve or remove the hazards you have identified or
provide you with solutions. If you are registered to the Healthy Together Achievement Program, the City of Greater
Geelong can also conduct an assessment of your potential active travel routes.
Step 6: Create your own school active travel route map
A map showing your safe active travel routes is a great tool for promoting and encouraging active travel within your
school. Be as creative as you like! You could draw the map using a drawing program on your computer, draw it
online at www.walkingmaps.com.au, or ask a class to hand draw the map (Appendix 5: Example school active travel
maps). If you are registered to the Healthy Together Achievement Program, the City of Greater Geelong can develop
a map which shows families where the active travel routes are.
Step 7: Promote and encourage use of your active travel routes
Promote your new active travel routes and the benefits of walking, riding, scooting and skating to and from school.
Examples include: launch your active travel routes with an active travel to school day, hold regular active travel to
school days (i.e. Wheeling Wednesday), promote your active travel routes map, include walking and riding in the
curriculum (i.e. Bike Ed) and promote active travel through school newsletters, online school portals, Facebook
pages or posters. Useful information and resources: Appendix 9
Step 8: Collect follow up data
Collect follow up data after your active travel routes have been promoted. These can help you determine whether
there have been any improvements in school active travel levels. Templates: Appendix 6, 7 & 8
Step 9: Review and celebrate!
Continue to work together to promote and encourage active travel. Share learning’s with the whole school
community and don’t forget to celebrate your successes!
6
Appendix 1: Hands Up! Student Survey (baseline data collection template – option 1)
Developed by the Bicycle Network: www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/general/programs/350
7
Appendix 2: Student Survey (baseline data collection template – option 2)
Insert school logo here
ACTIVE TRAVEL SURVEY
Dear Student,
{Insert school name here} are registered to the Healthy Together Achievement Program and we are working towards
being recognised as a ‘Health Promoting School’. One of the health areas we are working on is ‘physical activity’.
Active Travel is great for health and wellbeing and improves traffic and parking congestion around schools. {Insert
school name here} would like to encourage and support more students and families to choose more active travel
alternatives such as walking, riding, scooting or skating to and from school.
This survey should only take a few minutes to complete.
1. In what year are you in at school?
Prep/foundation
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5
Year 6
2. How far do you have to travel to get from home to school?
0 – 1 km
1 – 2 km
2 – 3 km
3 – 4 km
4 – 5 km
>5km
3. How do you 'usually' get to and from school (3-5 days per week)?
If you use more than one of the following, choose the most highly used
Car
Carpool (with other students)
Walk
Bike
Scooter
Skate
Bus
Other (please specify) _______________________
4. Why do you choose to travel to and from the school in the 'usual' way you picked above?
Choose up to 3 most important reasons
It’s the way my parents/carer likes me to travel to and from school
Too far to walk or ride
I have a lot to carry
I am too young to travel alone
8
Too much traffic
Safety
The weather
I am dropped off en route to parents/carers activities
I have to pick up/drop off others
Most convenient
Fastest
Not physically able to walk or ride
Only option available
Health and fitness
I like to travel with friends
Good for the environment
Saves money
Other (please specify) _______________________________
5. How often do you currently use active travel to get to and from school (walk, ride, scoot, skate etc.)?
Never
Sometimes (1-2 days per week)
Most of the time (3-4 days per week)
All the time (5 days per week)
6. What could be done to support you to active travel (walk, ride, scoot, skate etc.) to and from school?
Choose up to 3 that are important to you
Knowing where there are safe walking and cycling routes to school
More information about active travel and public transport options
Improved facilities (bike storage etc.)
Reduced traffic around the school
Safer crossings near the school
Organising carpooling/ride sharing
Improved public transport services (frequency, reliability)
Safer public transport
I feel there is nothing more that needs to be done
I’m not interested in changing my travel choices
Other (please specify)________________________________
7. If made available, would you walk or ride from a designated pick up/drop off point within 1km of the school?
YES
NO
If no, why? _____________________________________
8. Have you got anything else you would like to add?
Thank you!
9
Appendix 3: Parent Survey (baseline data collection template)
Insert school logo here
ACTIVE TRAVEL SURVEY
Dear Parent,
{Insert school name here} are registered to the Healthy Together Achievement Program and we are working towards
being recognised as a ‘Health Promoting School’. One of the health areas we are working on is ‘physical activity’.
Active Travel is great for health and wellbeing and improves traffic and parking congestion around schools. {Insert
school name here} would like to encourage and support more students and families to choose more active travel
alternatives such as walking, riding, scooting or skating to and from school.
This survey should only take a few minutes to complete.
1. How many children do you have attending the school?
1
2
3
4
5
6
1. In what years are your children in at the school (tick all that apply)
Prep/foundation
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5
Year 6
3. How far do your children need to travel to get from home to school?
0 – 1 km
1 – 2 km
2 – 3 km
3 – 4 km
4 – 5 km
>5 km
4. How do your children 'usually' get to and from school (3-5 days per week)?
If your children travel using more than one of the following, choose 1 of the following that is used the most
Car
Carpool (with other students)
Walk
Bike
Scooter
Skate
Bus
10
Other (please specify) _____________________________
5. Why do your children travel to and from the school in the 'usual' way you provided above?
Choose up to 3 most important reasons
Too far for my child to walk or ride
My child has a lot to carry
My child is too young to travel alone
Too much traffic
Safety
The weather
I have to pick up/drop off others
I drop my child off en route to other activities
Most convenient
Fastest
Not physically able to walk or ride
Only option available
Health and fitness
My child likes to travel with friends
Good for the environment
Saves money
Other (please specify) ______________________________
6. How often would your children actively travel to school (i.e. walk, ride, scoot or skate)?
Never
Only at Special Events (i.e. walk to school day, ride to school day)
Sometimes (1-2 days per week)
Most of the time (3-4 days per week)
All the time (5 days per week)
7. What could be done to support you and your children to walk, ride, scoot or skate more often to and from
school? Choose 1 option that is the most important to you.
More information about active travel and public transport options
Knowing where there are safe walking and cycling routes to school
Reduced traffic around the school
Improved facilities (i.e. bike and scooter storage)
Safer crossings near the school
Organising carpooling/ride sharing
Improved public transport services (frequency, reliability)
Safer public transport
I’m not interested in changing my travel choices
I feel there is nothing more that needs to be done
Other (please specify)
8. If made available, would you consider picking up/dropping off your children at a designated ‘pick up/drop off’
point within 1km of the school so they can walk or ride the remainder of the way?
YES
NO
If no, why? _____________________________________
9. Have you got anything else you would like to add?
Thank you!
11
Appendix 4: Walkability Checklist
Developed by Victoria Walks: www.victoriawalks.org.au/smartsteps
12
Appendix 5: Example School Active Travel Route Maps
13
Appendix 6: Hands Up! Student Survey (follow up data collection template – option 1)
Developed by the Bicycle Network: www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/general/programs/350
14
Appendix 7: Student Survey (follow up data collection template – option 2)
Insert school logo here
ACTIVE TRAVEL SURVEY
Dear Student
{Insert name of school} has been encouraging students and families to choose more active travel alternatives such as
walking and cycling to and from school, and initiatives have been implemented to support this including new active
travel routes to school.
This survey will help us to better understand the outcomes of the active travel routes, and to continue to develop
and improve options for active travel. It will only take a couple of minutes to complete and we encourage everyone
to participate!
1. What year are you in at the school?
Prep/foundation
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5
Year 6
2. How far do you have to travel to get from home to school?
0 – 1 km
1 – 2 km
2 – 3 km
3 – 4 km
4 – 5 km
>5km
3. How do you 'usually' get to and from school (3-5 days per week)?
If you use more than one of the following, choose the most highly used
Car
Carpool (with other students)
Walk
Bike
Scooter
Skate
Bus
Other (please specify) _______________________
4. How often do you currently use active travel to get to and from school (walk, ride, scoot, skate etc.)?
Never
Sometimes (1-2 days per week)
Most of the time (3-4 days per week)
All the time (5 days per week)
5.
Have you been dropped off or picked up along the new active travel route/s so they can walk or ride the
remainder of the way to school?
15
Yes
No
No, I wasn’t aware of the active travel routes
Comments:____________________________
6. Have you seen ‘active travel’ promoted through the school?
Yes
No
7. If yes, where have you heard about it? (tick all that apply)
E-newsletter
Posters displayed around school
Active travel route launch
Speaking to a teacher
School website
Another parent
Other ______________________
8. Have you got any additional comments?
Thank you!
16
Appendix 8: Parent Survey (follow up data collection template)
Insert school logo here
ACTIVE TRAVEL SURVEY
Dear Parent,
{Insert name of school} has been encouraging students and families to choose more active travel alternatives such as
walking and cycling to and from school, and initiatives have been implemented to support this including new active
travel routes to school.
This survey will help us to better understand the outcomes of the active travel routes, and to continue to develop
and improve options for active travel. It will only take a couple of minutes to complete and we encourage everyone
to participate!
1. How many children do you have attending the school?
1
2
3
4
5
6
2. In what years are your children in at the school (tick all that apply)
Prep/foundation
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5
Year 6
3. How far do your children need to travel to get from home to school?
0 – 1 km
1 – 2 km
2 – 3 km
3 – 4 km
4 – 5 km
>5 km
4. How do your children 'usually' get to and from school (3-5 days per week)?
If your children travel using more than one of the following, choose 1 of the following that is used the most
Car
Carpool (with other students)
Walk
Bike
Scooter
Skate
Bus
Other (please specify) _______________________________________
17
5. How often would your children actively travel to school (i.e. walk, ride, scoot or skate)?
Never
Only at Special Events (i.e. walk to school day, ride to school day)
Sometimes (1-2 days per week)
Most of the time (3-4 days per week)
All the time (5 days per week)
6. Have you dropped off or picked up your children along the new active travel routes so they can walk or ride the
remainder of the way to school?
Yes
No
No, I wasn’t aware of the active travel route
Comments:
7. Have you seen ‘active travel’ promoted through the school?
Yes
No
8. If yes, where have you heard about it? (tick all that apply)
E-newsletter
Posters displayed around school
Active travel route launch
Speaking to a teacher
School website
Another parent
Other ______________________
9. Have you got any additional comments?
Thank you!
18
Appendix 9: Other Useful Information/Resources/Research
Healthy Together Achievement Program:
www.geelongaustralia.com.au/healthygeelong/
Resources and useful organisations:

Portarlington Primary School Active Travel Routes – video case study:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfqCYAwLW1E

City of Greater Geelong – road safety information and resources:
www.geelongaustralia.com.au/community/roads/article/item/8cd0cfd9955a8d8.aspx

Road Safety Education Victoria – road safety information and resources:
www.roadsafetyeducation.vic.gov.au/

VicRoads – road safety information and resources:
www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/

RACV – school road safety programs:
www.racv.com.au/wps/wcm/connect/racv/Internet/Primary/road+safety/school+programs

Victoria Walks – walking information and resources:
www.victoriawalks.org.au/smartsteps/

Bicycle Network – cycling information and resources:
www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/

Geelong Community Directory:
www.geelongaustralia.com.au/directory/default.aspx
Events:

National Ride to School Day - www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/general/programs/2242/

VicHealth’s Walk to School Month - www.walktoschool.vic.gov.au/

National Walk to School Day - www.walk.com.au/WSTSD/

Premiers Active April - www.activeapril.vic.gov.au/
Useful Research:

La Trobe University (2014) ‘Beyond the Bubble Wrap: understanding parents fears in allowing their
children to play and travel independently’, VicHealth
www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/media-and-resources/publications/beyond-the-bubble-wrap

Monash University (2010) ‘Parents as role models in road safety’, RACV
www.monash.edu.au/miri/research/reports/muarc302.pdf

VicHealth ‘Streets Ahead 2008-2011: Program Evaluation Report’, VicHealth
www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/media-and-resources/publications/streets-ahead-evaluation-report-2008-2011
19
School Active Travel: Create
your own safe active travel routes
Take the journey together
Schools will have different approaches, but ideally your working group will
involve a range of people to plan and share active travel tasks. It may be a
group of staff or parents, a class within your school, or a mix of students,
parents, staff and local organisations! Consider using existing structures or
groups rather than create a new or separate working group.
Where are your families travelling to school from?
Knowing where families are travelling from will help to identify accessible
active travel routes. You could do this by printing a map of your schools
local area and marking each family’s residence on the map. This will
provide a visualisation of where people will be travelling from and routes
that may be suitable.
DID YOU KNOW safe
active travel routes can
address barriers to
physical activity by
calming traffic around
schools, improving safety
features and raising
safety awareness.
Create your active travel routes
Identify active travel routes (around 500m to 1km in length) that families
and children can use to travel to and from the school. Keep in mind that
the routes should be accessible, safe and enjoyable to travel along by foot, bike or scooter. Check if there is suitable
parking along the routes so parents can safely drop or pick up children along the routes.
Enjoy safe active travel!
DID YOU KNOW
children aged 12
years and under can
ride on the
footpath, and so
can adults riding
with them.
There are resources available that can help you check the routes are accessible,
safe and enjoyable www.victoriawalks.com.au/smartsteps.
You may find through checking the safety of your active travel routes that you
identify hazards that may make active travel difficult. Contact your local council,
they may be able to improve or remove the hazards you have identified or
provide you with solutions.
Create your own map
A map showing your safe active travel routes is a great tool for promoting and
encouraging active travel within your school. Be as creative as you like! You could
draw the map using a drawing program on your computer, draw it online at
www.walkingmaps.com.au, or ask a class to hand draw the map.
Promote and encourage use of your safe active travel routes
Promote your new safe routes and the benefits of walking, riding, scooting
and skating to and from school! You could promote your safe active travel
routes through your school newsletter, Facebook page, placing posters
around the school, sending out your map or having your map available to pick
up.
Portarlington Primary School ‘active travel map’
Coco Bullock - Year 6 Student
School Active Travel is jointly funded by the Victorian Government and VicHealth.
Resource developed by the City of Greater Geelong through Healthy Together Geelong.
20
www.geelongaustralia.com.au/healthygeelong
June 2015