School Streets are low-cost and easy to implement interventions that create a car-free zone in front of schools at drop-off and pick-up times. They reduce air pollution and traffic, and they encourage children to walk and cycle to school. In London, almost 350 school streets have been delivered since the start of the pandemic, and they are proving popular with parents and children alike. But despite some limited safe street redesigns and other efforts to encourage walking during the pandemic, New York City has not yet fully implemented school streets.

Designing School Streets for Active Transportation: Walking and Biking

School Streets are fast to deliver benefits and can be easily adapted to each local context, such as by using a temporary lane closure instead of permanent curb extensions. In many cases, schools need only to put out a sign and use metal barriers during drop-off and pick-up times. Ideally, schools also promote active travel to school and organize events to celebrate the car-free space, such as walking or cycling races, or a ‘Walk to School Week’ event.

It’s important to engage with the local community before launching a School Street to ensure that they feel engaged in the process and understand the reasons for the time-limited road closure. Share a School Streets FAQ document at public-facing events, or speak directly with affected businesses or residents (including those running afterschool programs) to address any concerns they may have.

Schools that are implementing School Streets should communicate to their local custodial staff the responsibilities of cleaning up the area and removing the barriers at the end of each day. This should be recorded in the Operations Plan section of the application.