A community-led initiative where trained volunteers escort groups of children to school by bike along safe, planned routes, creating a mobile protected cycle lane for young cyclists.
CycleBus was founded in Galway, Ireland, by Alan Curran in 2018 when he wanted to cycle his five-year-old to school safely. Starting with 25 students and 8 adults, the initiative has since expanded to 8 locations across Ireland, the UK, and potentially Sweden.
One parent shares: "My 7-year-old has been on the cycle bus every day for the past 2 years. He arrives in school awake, energised, and ready for learning. Cycling to school is just a normal part of his childhood now."
The programme addresses modern challenges including busier lifestyles, longer commutes, increased congestion, and unsafe roads that create environments unsuitable for vulnerable road users. By achieving critical mass of children cycling daily, it encourages others to follow suit.
Routes are typically 2km long on relatively flat terrain, with stops located near housing estates. The initiative requires comprehensive risk assessments, stakeholder engagement, and ongoing communication systems. Support is available from established groups like Galway CycleBus for communities starting their own programmes.
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