Getting more children cycling or walking to school is behind a new petition asking road safety improvements in Worcester.
Tor Pingree, Green Party councillor for St Clement, has launched the petition calling for greater investment in enabling children to get to school safely.
The petition highlights how active travel, such as walking, wheeling or cycling, is good for mental and physical health of children, adds exercise to their daily routine and reduces congestion on the city’s roads.
Cllr Pingree said: “We hear on the doorsteps that children love cycling to school and you can see this in the success of our city’s Bike Buses.
“The problem is that our infrastructure doesn’t do much to enable and encourage more active travel.”
The petition calls for drastic improvements to road infrastructure, including segregated cycle lanes, lowering the speed limits on some roads and the addition of new crossing points near schools.
The Green Party would also like to see more benches, public toilets and ramps available for those with additional needs.
Cllr Pingree added: “Many families without access to a vehicle already take children to school by other means, and more would choose to leave the car at home if the routes were safer.”
A spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council said: “We are dedicated to transforming the way we travel by prioritising active travel options including cycling, walking and wheeling across our key towns and Worcester city.
“As part of this commitment, we are actively developing Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs) for each area.
The plans aim to create safe, more accessible routes and encourage a healthier, more sustainable way of getting around.”
The LCWIPs could also unlock funding opportunities for the county should plans align with government initiatives.
The spokesperson also highlighted recent projects that have supported active travel, such as the recent opening of the Kepax Bridge in Worcester.
To sign the petition; click on the button below