Cover images by Gordon Hatton via Geograph under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic

Most children in the UK live within cycling distance of their school, and yet the chaotic car-clogged traffic jams of the dreaded school drop-off are a familiar sight to many. So why do so many kids get to school by car? Our Acomb Ward Rep Barry Treanor has conducted some research with Manor Church of England Academy to find out what kids and parents think about how they get to school.

Barry canvassed the opinions of parents and kids, listening to their experiences and opinions regarding their perceived safety when travelling over the A1237 bridge between Clifton Moor and Poppleton – a key route to school for many families. The results of his consultation highlights the serious concerns over safety on this route, a key factor in dissuading parents and kids from cycling to school.

Over a four-week period Barry collected 33 responses to an online survey, the results showing that out of those who responded, 60% cycled to school over the bridge with 9% driving, 15% walking and the others using a combination of transport methods including walking, car, bike, and bus.

When asked if their children ever felt unsafe crossing the bridge to get to school, 75% of respondents said yes and raised specific concerns around the narrow path saying that it was difficult to pass other walkers or cyclists. The speed and volume of traffic moving across the bridge was also a concern of 51% of respondents.

“When asked if their children ever felt unsafe crossing the bridge to get to school, 75% of respondents said yes.”

Of those who took part in the survey, 63% said that they had witnessed or heard about dangerous incidents happening on the bridge – mostly involving people falling from their bikes and into the road. Over 70% of respondents said that they had made changes to their journey to school in order to avoid these dangers on the bridge, all of these said they travelled by car instead.

The survey also asked respondents for their thoughts on how to make the A1237 bridge safer:

• 22 recommended creating a wider path for cyclists and pedestrians 
• 14 recommended adding curbs or barriers to separate the road from the pavement
• 5 recommended constructing a new bridge just for pedestrians and cyclists
• 4 recommended reducing the speed limit on the bridge

The results of Barry’s research clearly show the significant safety concerns of families travelling to school over the A1237 bridge. When Barry spoke to Manor School about his findings, they stated that they “would welcome improvements to the cycle path/bridge on the A1237 to enable a safer route for staff, students and the local community”

If you would like to express your opinions on how safe it is on your school-run, or if you would like some transport research conducted at your school, get in touch with your York Cycle Campaign Ward Rep today.