Walking to school

Children in road traffic

Children are the road users most at risk.

The BFU-Swiss Council for Accident Prevention provides some useful advice:

• teach your child to behave safely in road traffic from the age of 2 years
• dress the child in brightly colored clothing
• equip the child with appropriate protection when using a bicycle or vehicle-like means, such as a helmet, wrist guards, elbow pads, knee pads
• observe the requirements regarding the transportation of children in automobiles

Home-school route

The route to school contributes to children's intellectual and social development and promotes motor activity; however, it can be dangerous if certain measures are not taken.

The BFU-Swiss Council for Accident Prevention provides parents with several suggestions:

• the good example of parents and other adults is crucial, as children learn by imitation. Parents should practice safe behaviors in different traffic situations with their children between 3 and 6 years of age
• as long as the child is unable to travel safely on his or her own to kindergarten or primary school, parents are responsible for their child arriving at school unharmed
• children should ride their bicycles to school only when they have received the appropriate instruction in this regard (from about age 10). It is recommended to start earlier only if the route has little traffic

Walking in safety

The ATA-Traffic and Environment Association advises parents to let their children walk to school if possible. The walking route represents a school of life for the little ones: children learn to behave safely and socialize.

The ATA provides parents with various suggestions for a safe home-school route:

• choose the safest route, not the shortest route
• take the route several times with the child even before school starts
• figure out with the child what dangerous situations may arise so that he or she can recognize them
• if traffic conditions do not allow the child to go to school alone, accompany him or her on foot. In time, he/she will learn to make the journey on his/her own
• dress the child in highly visible clothing: light-colored clothes and reflective materials
• make sure that the child has enough time for the home-school route and does not have to run because he/she is late
• if possible, it is best for the child to go to school with classmates
• teach the child that he/she should not trust unknown adults and follow them
• in case of difficulty, it is good for the child to have reference points and people to turn to, for example, the cashier at the village store, a home where the child can possibly ask for help
• skateboards, roller skates or in-line skates and similar equipment are better suited for leisure than for the home-school route
• if possible, leave the car in the garage. Parents' cars acting as cabs could contribute to increased dangers around schools

Pedibus

Every year in Switzerland, about 400 children are injured on the route between home and school. The so-called pedibus, a "walking bus", is designed precisely to increase the safety of younger children on the home-school route.

Children are picked up at set times at different stops located along the pedibus route and taken to the preschool or primary school by a few adults, who drive them home at the end of class.

The BFU-Swiss Council for Accident Prevention provides some advice:

• the people accompanying the children should be reliable and know the danger spots for the little ones all along the pedibus route. These people can join the BFU's collective accident and liability insurance
• at least two accompanying adults should be provided for each pedibus route
• it is recommended that clear rules of behavior be formulated for both chaperones and children, which should be communicated to parents
• children taking the pedibus should travel exclusively on foot and leave any vehicle-like means, such as a scooter, at home