Active Travel Plan
We are delighted that our very comprehensive application , in the form of an Excellent Travel Plan, was approved. As a result we have now achieved the Gold Modeshift STARS accreditation. Mr Street will be continuing to lead our Student Active Travel Ambassadors . This group would really like to welcome new members so please consider this extra curricular activity if you are interested in road safety and/or protecting the environment.
ACTIVE TRAVEL
The Castle School promotes walking and cycling because…
It helps keep our students fitter and healthy and research shows being active can help students concentrate better and increase their levels of achievement.
By walking or cycling our school community can help reduce the number of vehicles on the road making it safer for pedestrians and cyclists and easier for local residents. It also reduces the pollution caused from exhaust fumes helping combat climate change and create cleaner air.
Did you know :
- One in four cars on the road are on the school run and greenhouse gas emissions from road transport made up around a fifth of the UK’s total GHG emissions. Greenhouse gases contribute to climate change.
Air pollution causes 64,000 deaths annually in the UK, and a reduction of 1.5 years in average life expectancy. Air pollution affects the rates not just of respiratory diseases but also cardiovascular diseases like heart failure. - More than a third of children are overweight (including obese) by the time they leave primary school. Child obesity strongly indicates to adult obesity – which in turn can lead to poor health outcomes including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, depression and premature death.
- Children and young people aged 13-16 (Years 9-11) are the least likely to be active and travel to and from school can contribute up to half of a young person’s overall physical activity.
- Just 34% of secondary school children walk to school, and only 3% cycle to school.
Why active travel is important
1. Cleaner air – reducing cars helps reduce air pollution around the school gates.
2. Helps tackle climate change – by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from cars.
3. Students are healthier and fitter – young people should have at least an hour of physical activity every day – walking or cycling to school contributes to this time.
4. Helps students unwind at the end of the day – walking or cycling home gives them time to think.
5. Improves concentration – studies have shown that students who are active are ready to learn and do better in their studies.
6. Gives students more independence – walking or cycling without parents helps them develop skills for independent living when they are adults.
7. Reduces congestion – as there are less cars on the road, making it more pleasant environment for everyone.
8. Quicker than sitting in traffic
9. Improves road safety at the school gates – because there is reduced traffic and parked cars.
10. It’s cheaper to walk or cycle – as it saves on fuel.
It can be a challenge for people to make the change and South Gloucestershire Council have some schemes that will help you to get started. Enjoy this short video about the benefits of a more active journey to school.
Below is a link to an Active Travel Map which details 5 and 10 minute walking and cycling zones around the school. Use the map to help plan your journey.
Set your mind on a path to calmness and happiness by taking a walk each day. My walking Week sheet will help you record them.
- Active travel Silver award
- Assembly Hierachy of The Road
- ATA Assembly and Campaign Junction
- AtkinsRealis Getting About in Thornbury Castle School Workshop Summary
- The Castle Active Travel Map
- The Castle School Active Travel Procedure
- The Castle Travel Mode Maps 2021
- The Living Streets My walking week resource
- The Sustrans schools champion pack
- The Castle Secondary School Modeshift STARS case study
I can’t Actively Travel to school because……
I live too far away – You might be surprised to learn that it only takes approx. 15 to 20 mins to walk a mile. If you live several miles away you don’t have to walk the whole way, Park & Stride by getting dropped off 5-10 mins away from school and walking the rest, or Park & Pedal and cycle the rest of the way. Getting off a couple of stops early if you travel by public bus and walking the rest will also help you Actively Travel.
Bad weather - Don't let the weather put you off – it might seem obvious but keep an umbrella or a waterproof in your bag just in case, and a scarf and hat are a good idea when it is cold.
I am worried about my safety - If you're worried about walking alone then maybe arrange to meet a friend or walk in a group. If bullying on the school journey is an issue don't suffer in silence. Tell a member of staff at school. Everyone should feel safe to walk to school.
Too much to carry - Think about where you could possibly swap heavier folders for a USB or leave your PE kit in a locker. A decent backpack is great for carrying your things when walking or riding a bike, or you could even get yourself some panniers, or bike bags, to carry your school books on your bike.
Busy roads - might put you off, but there are lots of different roads, routes and footpaths you could use to get to school. Openstreetmap or Google maps can help you plan a safer route and pick out some quieter roads and traffic-free cycle paths instead of the main roads.
I don’t know if my bike is safe to ride - Like any machine, a bicycle will work better and last longer if you care for it properly. Get in the habit of checking your bike regularly – simple checks and maintenance can help you enjoy a smooth ride to school and avoid repairs. The M check is a simple way to make sure your bike is safe to ride. Check out this 3 minute video explaining the Sustrans M Check. (tinyurl.com/sustransmcheck).
Lack of confidence riding a bike - If you feel that you are not as confident a cyclist as you'd like to be, then check out Bikeability – a cycle training programme replacing cycling proficiency. Bikeability gives everyone the skills and confidence for all kinds of cycling.
Top 10 Tips to get you going on 2 wheels:
1. Plan and practice your route, using cycle paths where they are available. This map should help you with this!
2. Check your bike is safe to ride before using it (do the M Check!)
3. Be safe and be seen by wearing visible clothing. School uniform is often very dark – try choosing a brighter bag.
4. Get yourself some bike lights – a white one for the front and red for the back - so you can see, and be seen, when it is dark.
5. Wear gloves and a lightweight raincoat during the winter to keep yourself warm.
6. Mudguards are a brilliant bike addition and will help keep you dry.
7. Make sure your helmet is properly fitted – it should feel snug, but not tight.
8. Lock your bike securely when you’re not using it.
9. Consider buddying up with a friend, for some, or all of your journey.
10. Remember your Bikeability training. If you need training, ask your school for more information and check out bikeability.org.uk for more top tips.
We are lucky to have a donated bike tool kit from Sustrans - details below
Below there is a link to 3 bike maintenance PDF files that students might find useful. The password to access these files is TOOLS
Sustrans Bike Maintenance PDF files
Suggested further information/website links
TravelWest – Journey planning and advice on travelling around the South West. www.travelwest.info
Living Streets – Parent toolkits, activity resources and advice on walking more every day. www.livingstreets.org.uk/walktoschool
Sustrans – The Charity making it easier for people to walk and cycle. The work we're doing creates healthier places and happier people. www.sustrans.org.uk/ Sustrans have created five days of wellbeing activities to coincide with Children’s Mental Health Week. If you are interested please see the link http://tiny.cc/5xi8tz .
Bikeability is today’s cycle training programme replacing cycling proficiency. Bikeability gives everyone the skills and confidence for all kinds of cycling. www.southglos.gov.uk/transport-and-streets/transport/road-safety-transport/road-safety/cycle-safety/what-is-bikeability
FREE 1:1 Adult Cycle training for all staff and parents:
To book an individual lesson call 01454 863 526, or email: cycle_training@southglos.gov.uk
The Better By Bike website has loads of great cycling resources, covering where to buy a bike (new or second hand, from local bike shops), as well as a bike journey planner, and much more. (betterbybike.info).
How to correctly fit a bike helmet: - https://www.sustrans.org.uk/media/7781/btsw-resources_helmetcheck_eng.pdf
Always lock your bike: https://livingstreets.sharepoint.com/sites/SGlosTDMFundedProject/Shared%20Documents/General/lock%20your%20bike%20guide.png
The Big Pedal is the UK’s largest inter-school cycling, walking and scooting challenge. It inspires hundreds of thousands of pupils, staff and parents to choose human power for their journey to school. 19 – 30 April 2021. https://www.sustrans.org.uk/our-blog/projects/uk-wide/schools/sustrans-big-pedal/
Cycle route planning - There are lots of great resources for planning your cycling journeys whether that’s advice on quiet roads for your school commute, or leisure rides that will be a fun weekend family activity. Here is a selection of some:
Better by Bike Route Planner - Enter your start and end point and the map will suggest 3 cycle routes for fastest, quietest, and ‘balanced’ journey. cycleplanner.betterbybike.info/route-planning
‘Komoot’ route planner & tracker - You can use Komoot on your computer or download it as a phone app. You can record your journeys on Komoot to learn from favourite rides and log all your amazing pedal miles! https://www.komoot.com/plan
Downloadable maps
These downloadable maps detail on-road and traffic-free cycleways across South Gloucestershire. They’re good for getting a general sense of the cycle options in your neighbourhood without planning a specific route. https://betterbybike.info/maps-and-guides/regional-cycle-maps/#south-gloucestershire
Leisure Rides in South Gloucestershire https://betterbybike.info/maps-and-guides/guides-booklets/
In this celebration of SPRING J I share some tips on dressing for Spring cycling, the A-B-C bike check, and how to adjust your bike to be comfortable for your height.
I set an Easter holidays challenge to try out a cycling-to-school route while there is less traffic on the roads and also share advice on good cycling websites and resources.
During Road Safety Week 2020 all students watched a very helpful and informative presentation on the importance of road safety in their Lifeskills lessons with their tutors
Sustrans have made a short video resource for World Book Day 2021
Sustrans staff introduce their favourite books, all of which inspire readers to get outside and be active.
2 minute short edit: https://youtu.be/KjDvHK40VZ8
7 minute full review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfxNwY0xkAo&feature=youtu.be
Their List of Books:
Weslandia - Paul Fleischman and Kevin Hawkes
Pedal Power - Anna Hughes?
The Bike Lesson - Stan and Jan Berestain
Flying Fergus - Chris Hoy
On Your Bike - Chris Hoy
Inspire: Life lessons from the wilderness - Ben Fogle?
The Kindness of Strangers? - Fearghall O'Nullian
Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls - Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo?
What Goes Around: A London Cycle Couriers Story - Emily Chappell
https://www.worldbookday.com/ #WorldBookDay
