Bicycle Network’s Open Streets program has ventured into the Northern Territory, bringing safe school journeys to Darwin and introducing students, parents and teachers to the joys of active travel.
On Open Streets days, streets around schools are temporarily opened up for kids to ride, walk and play on the journey to and from school, while car traffic is re-routed to drop-off and pick-up points a short distance away.
The concept offers a blissful alternative to the traffic-choked streets that can surround the gate on a typical school day and creates a peaceful space dedicated to active transport.
An Open Streets event in Melbourne in 2023
Open Streets has expanded across Melbourne over the last three years and is now opening minds to a new style of school drop-off in the Northern Territory through a partnership with the City of Darwin.
The Darwin Open Streets events were held at Karama Primary School and Nightcliff Primary School in early August, attended by Councillor Ed Smelt, State MP Natasha Fyles and mascot Hector the Safety Cat who educated the kids on road safety.
“The Open Streets day was a wonderful addition to our active travel toolkit and it was pleasing to see so many additional bikes and walkers on the day,” says Sam Wood, father of three students at Nightcliff Primary School and leader of the school’s Active Travel Working Group. “It was great to see dozens of happy faces enjoying the activities.”
“We were pleased to partner with Bicycle Network on the Active Paths and Open Streets initiative," says City of Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis.“This project promoted active transport to and from school by providing a fun, safe and accessible space for students to travel to school in."
The events also marked the launch of Bicycle Network's Active Paths programs for the two schools. This involves student leaders working with teachers and the council to identify common and safe active routes.
The routes are decorated with colourful footpath decals for wayfinding, while the Active Paths map acts as an ongoing resource to promote active travel to school.
“Australian kids are among the least active in the world,” says Bicycle Network CEO Alison McCormack. “Creating environments where they can get their daily dose of physical activity, while connecting with their friends and communities, is one of the most effective and enjoyable ways we can turn this trend around.”
The conversion of streets around schools into safe and serene corridors for kids to ride and walk is a global trend, and is now gaining traction around Australia, too.
Open Streets is an Australian-first initiative that draws inspiration from programs overseas, such as School Streets in the UK and the Streets to Schools program in Paris.
Since beginning in Merri-bek in 2021, Bicycle Network’s Open Streets program has expanded across Melbourne and routinely led to lasting changes in travel habits.
At Open Streets trials at Bentleigh West Primary School in April, for example, 18.9% of families said they intended to actively travel more following the experience. At Malvern Valley Primary School in May, 39.1% said they would walk or ride more after taking part in Open Streets.
Read more about Open Streets here.
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