school streets markings  are a great way to reduce traffic chaos around schools during drop-off and pick-up times while also improving air quality. They are also an opportunity to promote active travel, which helps children become healthier and fitter and can help tackle the inactivity epidemic.

In a city where more than 80 percent of adolescents are insufficiently physically active, tactics like these can make a big difference to the health of our youth. They can also help reduce car crashes and pollution outside schools, foster community, and provide space for outdoor learning and play.

A variety of cities have developed school streets, including New York, London and Paris (see photo below). Some limit cars only during hectic arrival and departure times, while others convert their roadways into a pedestrian-centered space and use it throughout the day for recesses, outdoor learning, neighborhood events, and assemblies.

To successfully implement a school street, it is important to engage with the local community before launching. This should include a mix of residents and business owners, as well as local government agencies and representatives. It’s important to speak to all stakeholders face-to-face (if possible), especially those whose lives will be directly impacted by a timed road closure.

The best schools have a dedicated team working on their school street to ensure it is run and maintained with the support of the wider community. They use a wide range of tools and methods to involve local stakeholders, including workshops, surveys, in-person events, and community meetings.