Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
kids

Friday Video: How Ghent Gets Kids To School Without Cars

This Belgian city has found a better way to get students to class — and they have some lessons to share with America.

In America, getting the kids to school too often means a grueling wait in an SUV-stuffed drop-off line.

In the Belgian city of Ghent, though, students of all ages can walk or cycle to class on a network of ultra-safe "school streets" — and some advocates argue there's no reason U.S.children shouldn't have the same privilege.

In his latest Streetfilms video, our own Clarence Eckerson gets to know how the folks of Flanders use bicycle advisory lanes, mobile traffic control devices, and "red carpet"-worthy asphalt treatments to make the school run fun.

And along the way, you might see a few cameos from friends of the site Coach Balto, Cathy Tuttle, and more.

Check out Clarence's extensive collection of videos from around the world here.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Friday’s Headlines Transform and Roll Out

Will autonomous vehicles really make us safer? Maybe in the long run, but maybe not in the short run.

May 23, 2025

Talking Headways Podcast: When You Don’t Really Need an Ambulance

Let's talk about the realities of non-emergency medical transportation, long a quiet backwater of urban transport planning.

May 22, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines Are Open 24 Hours

Between an egg surcharge and now EV chargers, late-night diner chain Waffle House looks ready to thrown down with the Trump administration.

May 22, 2025

How A Single Transportation Emergency Can Keep Parents From Achieving Their College Dreams

Abigail Seldin of Scholarship America about the 3.8 million U.S. students who are earning degrees while raising families.

May 22, 2025

Republican Senators Press Attack on CA’s Clean Air Laws

Anyone hoping that Congressional Republican leaders would follow generations of precedent regarding the role of the non-partisan Senate Parliamentarian or the Government Accountability Office (GAO) had a very bad day yesterday.

May 21, 2025

Wednesday’s Headlines Have a System

The safe systems approach to street design, popular in Europe, could cut U.S. traffic deaths in half.

May 21, 2025
See all posts