We are working with schools to support children and families to walk, cycle or consider blended travel when travelling to and from school.
Our project work has included:
- Liaising with schools to encourage and help set up walking buses, park and stride and cycle trains and engaging with school councils and right's respecting groups.
- Working with Traffic and Highway Services to undertake travel plans for all primary schools, leading to improvements to cycle parking, crossing points and pavements.
- Supporting St Martins Primary school active travel project to create Guernsey's first School Street. Listen to the schools journey, how they empowered the children, gathered evidence and showed resilience in the face of barriers here St Martins School. Now no children are dropped off by car at the school gate aside from breakfast club and the playground is no longer used as a pickup point by cars at the end of the day.
- Helping local primary schools take part in the living Streets WOW challenge. Children use a Travel Tracker to record how they get to school each day. If they walk, cycle or scoot once a week for a month they collect a badge.
Email amy.woollaston@healthimprovement.gg to find out more.
Findings of the School Active Travel Surveys from April and May 2026
Primary Schools
51% of journeys were made using active travel (no change from 2025).
Cycling increased from 9% to 11% over the past year.
Morning and afternoon active travel levels remained consistent at 48% and 54% respectively.
Despite poor weather, active travel remained resilient, with initiatives such as walking buses, School Streets, and safer cycling routes supporting increases at some schools.
Secondary Schools
Overall active travel decreased slightly from 38% to 36%.
Morning journeys increased marginally to 35%.
Car use declined from 40% to 38%.
Pilot schemes such as School Streets may be encouraging more students to walk, cycle, or use public transport.
Emerging Trends
E-bikes are playing a growing role, accounting for 24% of active travel journeys, close to traditional bicycles at 26%.
Family cycling programmes and improved infrastructure are helping build confidence and encourage behaviour change.
The Bigger Picture
The findings highlight the importance of making active travel safe, convenient and attractive. Where practical initiatives are introduced, more families are choosing healthier, more sustainable ways to travel to school.
For further information please see the full survey result report in the resources section below: