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School Street Mode

The journey to school is an integral part of a child’s life. Yet many children experience stressful situations on the way to school. The most common cause is the inadequate design of the area in front of the school itself – the lack of space to move around safely or the concentration of many cars emitting harmful exhaust fumes. How a child feels when they arrive at school impacts their performance during lessons.

Did you know that the air children and adults breathe in during the Monday morning rush hour is, on average, three times more polluted than during the weekend?

*The concentration of exhaust gases in the air during the morning rush hour in front of Tbiliská Primary School.*

Many cities have started introducing so-called school street modes to make the journey to school as pleasant as possible for children. This concept aims to ensure that pupils move safely on their way to school and encourage children and parents to walk to school. Speed limits may apply on school streets, and traffic is often adjusted at designated times to create the best possible conditions for pupils to move around safely. Another benefit is cleaner air in front of the school, where no more cars exist.

Why does a child need freedom of movement? Explains parent advisor Martina Vagačová.

School street modes in Bratislava

Nevädzová street

The first school street mode was introduced in a test run on 1 June 2023 on Nevädzová Street in Ružinov. The morning carpooling of children to school here has long been accompanied by chaos. Dozens of cars were trying to get across the dead-end street as close as possible to the school entrance, turn around and leave. Every day, collision situations arose, with cars reversing chaotically between the walking children.

We have restricted car access to Nevädzová Street by introducing the school street mode. On weekdays during the school year, from 7:30 to 8:00, it is possible to bring children to school at the intersection with Daisy. A designated drop-off zone has been created in front of it for quick drop-off of children for those who need to continue to bring their children by car from more distant parts of the city. From the drop-off zone, a safe pedestrian crossing leads to a pedestrian walkway that continues to the school entrance.

In a questionnaire survey, up to 78% of parents whose children attend Nevädzová Primary School expressed interest in such a street arrangement.