This means that 36,184 children have to cycle along these unsafe roads every day to reach their schoolyard or entrance. At 90 of these primary schools, there is a so-called school zone, but in practice this amounts to no more than a sign saying ‘Caution’. Driving at 50 km/h is still permitted on these streets – a potentially fatal speed. The Cyclists’ Union is calling for the rapid introduction of 30 km/h zones around schools.
“Children should be able to cycle to school safely and independently. Introducing a 30 km/h limit around schools is a simple and proven measure that helps prevent accidents,” says Ross Goorden, policy officer at the Cyclists’ Union. “Safety increases when speed decreases. And the entire neighbourhood benefits from that.”
Particularly unsafe school routes in South Holland
In the province of South Holland, no fewer than 43 schools are located on a dangerous 50 km/h road. North Holland and North Brabant follow with 21 and 20 schools respectively. In rural provinces, the numbers are lower: in Zeeland, there is only one school along a 50 km/h road. The difference is partly because the provinces with the most inhabitants also have the most primary schools, and partly because urban areas more often have 50 km/h roads without a separated cycle path.
Some municipalities stand out negatively. In Rotterdam, 10 schools are located along dangerous roads, followed by Almelo (7), Dordrecht (6), and The Hague and Den Helder with 4 each.
“An unsafe school environment means that parents are less likely to let their children cycle independently,” says Goorden. “As a result, more parents drive their children to school, which makes the area around schools even busier and more dangerous. This creates a vicious circle of chaos and insecurity, which we can break by reducing the speed limit to 30 km/h.”
Cyclists’ Union: reduce speed to 30 km/h now
The Cyclists’ Union is calling on municipalities to make school environments structurally safer. Reducing the maximum speed to 30 km/h now will immediately make the journey to school safer. Redesigning streets, constructing cycle paths and implementing other traffic measures will ensure that children can continue cycling to school carefree in the future. In addition, the Cyclists’ Union advocates for a movement-friendly school environment where children are not only safe, but are also encouraged to cycle, walk and play outdoors.
Goorden: “This is how we prevent accidents and make traffic around schools safer. And most importantly: children learn to participate independently in traffic, get more exercise and enjoy cycling.”
Download the research report here.