The lack of safe road infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists and the absence of reliable public and school transportation options poses risks to girls, boys, and teenagers during their daily commutes to and from school. The unpredictable nature and different pace of children exacerbate this issue. Consequently, in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), traffic incidents constitute the third leading cause of death among children aged 5 to 14 and the fourth among young adults (GBD, 2019). Additionally, traffic incidents represent between 3% and 5% of LAC’s GDP annually.
To change this situation, the IDB will work in the Regional School Mobility Policy Lab over the next three years. This project aims to support the design, adoption, evaluation, and financial sustainability of Safe, Sustainable, and Inclusive School Mobility programs with positive impacts on the health and education of children and teenagers in LAC. Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, Peru, and the Dominican Republic are the beneficiary countries interested in strengthening their current strategies while sharing their experiences with the rest of the region.
The Regional School Mobility Policy Lab will produce benefits such as:
- Generating innovative methodologies for planning, implementation, and evaluation of school route programs
- Promoting the exchange of experiences
- Reflecting on sustainability and scalability possibilities
This effort will be carried out in collaboration with government authorities, NGOs, universities, and private entities, such as UNICEF and the FIA Foundation, which will be part of the advisory board.
Addressing school mobility goes beyond simply moving children and teenagers; it involves addressing cross-cutting issues in everyday life in LAC, such as health, transportation, urban development, education, and equity. In other words, discussing school mobility means talking about social well-being and a sustainable future.
The laboratory will work with a multisectoral approach based on lessons learned from academic research and experiences implemented in various cities and countries.
Colombia
The District Mobility Secretariat of Bogota, Colombia, has worked to promote sustainable environments and safe travel for students in district schools through the Niñas y Niños Primero program. This program comprises eight strategies, including Ciempiés Caminos Seguros, Al Colegio en Bici, and Bici-Parceros, which, in collaboration with the Secretariat of Education, benefit more than 10,000 boys and girls annually, generating over 1.4 million safe and sustainable school trips.
Brazil
Jundiai, Brazil, is another city benefiting from the initiative. The Entre la Casa y la Escuela program has led to the requalification of 110 municipal school environments and kindergartens. Through a participatory process with students about school routes, specific intervention projects in the city have been originated, including improvements in sidewalks, tree planting, installation of urban furniture, and creation of small play spaces along the paths.
Peru and the Dominican Republic
Since 2020, the Dominican Republic has required the authorities to harmonize aspects of road safety in school environments based on a resolution supported by the IDB. Among other measures, the regulation establishes a maximum speed of 20 km/h in study areas. In Peru, with support from the IDB, the government is creating a guide to implement safe school environments.
Impacts of Safe School Mobility
Improving transportation systems and ensuring affordable and safe options facilitates access to education, empowering children, teenagers, and young people to reach their potential. School mobility programs promote independent travel from one point to another, regardless of physical or mental conditions. It is an urban development strategy that benefits all its users.
Promoting the movement of children and teenagers in active modes, complemented by the public transportation system and safely, has positive implications for society. These mobility strategies significantly benefit women, who are often responsible for transporting children to school. Walking, biking, or using public transportation are human-scale experiences that strengthen urban mobility, build a sense of belonging, and promote care for the traveled environment. These modes of transportation encourage using the street as a space for interaction, encounters between acquaintances and strangers, and building bonds and social cohesion.
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