No wheels on this school bus!

Twice a day an unusual bus wends it way to and from Beckenham Primary School. It is a walking school bus - a parent "drives" and children are the passengers.

More than a year ago Council Safe Routes to School co-ordinator Paul Cottam organised the first Walk a Child to School Day. About 40 schools took part and more were involved this year. It is estimated that the number of children who walked to school on that day this year was twice the norm, saving 3000 car trips.

Paul Cottam says the challenge now is to keep the momentum going and one way to do it is by the walking school bus.

Surveys of parents show that they would let their children walk to school more often if the kids were in a supervised group.

On the walking bus, children are picked up from home or meet at a designated house, then the parent-driver walks them to school and home again at the end of the day.

"The Council wants schools to form walking buses to encourage safe and active travel to school," says Paul.

The benefits are:

• Healthy, active children; companionship and fun
• Safer, stronger communities
• Children learning about their environment
• Time savings for parents, especially working parents
• Less traffic congestion around schools

The first walking bus was formed in Beckenham a year ago and is successful. Gilberthorpe School formed four "buses" last term and Cotswold School is starting one this term.

The Council has support kits for families forming walking school buses. These include hats, contact cards, fridge magnets, travel cards and drink bottles. The travel cards record the number of trips made to qualify for a certificate of achievement.

The Police Education Service and School Health Service also support the walking bus.

For more information visit the Safe Routes to School website www.ccc.govt.nz/saferoutes