It is recommended:

• intended audience for this document - P&C, volunteers and principals
• the decision to implement a Cycling/Walking School Bus is made in consultation with the school community
• careful consideration in planning is advisable before implementation
• implementation and management are done by the P&C, with school leadership consultation.

Your local council Road Safety Officer, Parents and Community Association or Police Youth Liaison Officer may be able to provide support in planning / implementing at your school.

Regular reviewing and evaluating of the Cycling/Walking School Bus by parents, students and volunteers should be conducted to check for ongoing safety and risk management.

It is recommended:

• implementation and management of Cycling/Walking School Bus programs are done by the P&C/parent or volunteer group.
• the group organising the program are responsible for regularly reviewing and evaluating the Cycling/Walking School Bus program to check for ongoing safety and risk management
• regular consultation with the school principal to review the activity aligns with local school procedures
• schools take over responsibility and duty of care for the student once they enter the school premises
• for privacy issues, P&C are to maintain all documentation.

After examining all considerations and additional specific factors it is recommended:

• the organiser checks for ongoing safety and risk management as evidence to support the decision to proceed with the Cycling/Walking School Bus initiative
• communicate all decisions with the school Principal
• contact your Road Safety Education Officer, local council and/or the Parents and Community Association for further assistance
• review safe travel advice for cycling or walking and Transport for NSW’s Safety Town for advice for families.

Organisers are to consider the unique aspects of each Cycling/Walking School Bus and tailor their strategies according to their local contexts, such as local roads, condition of footpaths. These considerations are a guide and not designed to be used as a definitive checklist.

Planning

Volunteers and supervisors:

• have a Working with Children Checks for Volunteers
• are given access to training and resources to support them in the role
• are provided with:

a) knowledge of safe road user behaviours and management practices

b) expectations of the role

c) routes/timetables and safety procedures.

Management of permission and attendance

Parental permission notes:

• received for all students who travel on the Cycling/Walking School Bus
• stored and shared with the school, so students can be released to the volunteers of the program after school
• provide criteria to be part of the Cycling/Walking School Bus- eg. proficient riding ability, always wear a helmet when riding, good maintenance of their bicycle, good behaviour, listen to supervisor.

Procedures developed for:

• management of attendance lists and absent/late students and new students
• when absences/late/unavailability of bus 'drivers' and supervisors
• management of behaviour issues of bus 'passengers' in the traffic environment; eg. bicycle repairs; walking the bicycle across the pedestrian crossings, slow walker
• volunteer to student ratio clearly defined
• wet weather, changes in routine, emergency procedures and clearly communicated.

Route

• risk assessment of the route to be developed by organising group
• route, distance, time, direction and crossing locations communicated to school and school community
• routes are regularly reviewed to evaluate safety
• hazards regularly identified and communicated to volunteers and students.

• Carry first aid kit, mobile phones, or walkie talkies, if mobile reception is poor.
• Be given a direct contact for parents/the school to call.
• Be given instructions of what to do in the event of an emergency
• School bus ‘drivers’ wear high visibility vests
• Clear communication channels developed around routes/timetables and procedures. These are readily accessible to the whole school community.
• Key cycling/walking safety messages are provided to and reinforced by parents/carers, students, staff and the cycling/walking school bus drivers and supervisors.

Discuss any other considerations with your parent community