Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In

Now here's an elegant solution to the school drop-off problem: A growing number of European cities simply prohibit cars on the streets surrounding schools at the start and end of the school day.

The concept is called "school streets," and it started in Bolzano, Italy in the early 1990s. Since then, school streets have spread from Austria to the U.K, according to the European Local Transport Information Service — and collision rates involving school children has decreased by half. About 45 percent of students in Bolzano walk to school every day, according to ELTiS.

School Streets are marked with signs indicating the restricted hours. Fifteen minutes before school begins and for 15 minutes after it lets out, "school guides" — the European equivalent of crossing guards — place painted wooden signs signs at the streets blocking traffic, ELTiS.

Other European cities are seeing the benefits.

Two years ago, Edinburgh completed an 18 month "School Streets" trial at 11 schools. Data showed it produced a big drop in traffic: 3,179 fewer vehicles traveled the streets around the schools during a survey. Meanwhile, traffic was increased on surrounding streets by just 920 vehicles. Overall the experiment produced a three percent increase in the number of students walking to school and a six percent decrease in children being driven to school, the Scotland Herald reported.

Vienna recent moved to make its school streets permanent after a six-month pilot improved safety and increased walking and biking among students.

WavingChildren
Photo: Hackney Council
Photo: Hackney Council

Meanwhile, in East London, School Streets have been implemented at five schools. At Millfield's Community School in Hackney, teachers say the strategy also improves air quality for children. And parents say they like it.

Obviously Europe is very different from the United States, but the arrangement is not unheard of here either. Today, when I was walking home from dropping my son off at daycare, I passed a street in Cleveland where through-traffic is restricted by a school. The crossing guard was out placing cones in the street just like this.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Thursday’s Headlines Are Faster Than a Speeding Bullet Train

Amtrak lost a champion in Joe Biden just as new, more advanced trains are set to start running up and down the East Coast.

August 21, 2025

OPINION: NYC Has Noise Cameras To Catch Loud Cars. Why Aren’t We Funding It?

The Adams administration is supposed to install 25 of them by the end of September. What's going on?

August 20, 2025

Advocates Beg DOT Sec. Duffy to Give Up Space and Fix Transit On Earth

Transportation Secretary/acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy wants to put a nuclear reactor on the moon. But a lot of Americans just want the bus to come on time.

August 20, 2025

Wednesday’s Headlines Make Our Own Rules

For almost 100 years, speed limits have been set based on some of the fastest drivers. Now cities are starting to realize that's not a great idea.

August 20, 2025

OPINION: What Do You Call a Cyclist Who’s Been Hit By an E-Biker?

Much as our contributor hates to admit it, she thinks twice every time she gets on her bike since being hit by an e-bike.

August 19, 2025
See all posts