Eighty-three more Irish schools join national safety programme
The government has expanded its flagship active travel initiative to include dozens of additional campuses across every county. This latest phase aims to foster healthier habits by making walking and cycling safer for students nationwide.
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⏱️ 2 min read
The Department of Transport has officially unveiled the fifth round of the Safe Routes to School programme, welcoming 83 new schools into the national initiative. This expansion brings the total number of participating institutions to 609, ensuring that a significant portion of the 932 schools that initially applied are now receiving support to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety. The programme, which is coordinated by An Taisce and funded by the National Transport Authority, remains a cornerstone of Ireland’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure.
Since its inception in 2021, the scheme has delivered transformative results, with recent census data revealing the first increase in children walking to school in a generation. Physical interventions include the installation of distinctive pencil-shaped bollards, vibrant road markings, and enhanced traffic calming measures. For rural locations, the programme has introduced tailored signage designed to alert motorists and manage vehicle speeds, ensuring that safety remains a priority regardless of the school's setting. To date, over €74 million has been committed to these vital infrastructure upgrades.
Beyond physical construction, the initiative has fostered a measurable shift in travel behaviour, with participating schools reporting a 49% increase in cycling and a significant reduction in car dependency. Local authorities and infrastructure officers will now collaborate with the newly added schools to identify bespoke safety measures suited to their unique environments. Further details regarding the programme and the full list of participating schools are available on the official National Transport Authority website.
Since its inception in 2021, the scheme has delivered transformative results, with recent census data revealing the first increase in children walking to school in a generation. Physical interventions include the installation of distinctive pencil-shaped bollards, vibrant road markings, and enhanced traffic calming measures. For rural locations, the programme has introduced tailored signage designed to alert motorists and manage vehicle speeds, ensuring that safety remains a priority regardless of the school's setting. To date, over €74 million has been committed to these vital infrastructure upgrades.
Beyond physical construction, the initiative has fostered a measurable shift in travel behaviour, with participating schools reporting a 49% increase in cycling and a significant reduction in car dependency. Local authorities and infrastructure officers will now collaborate with the newly added schools to identify bespoke safety measures suited to their unique environments. Further details regarding the programme and the full list of participating schools are available on the official National Transport Authority website.
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