More than 4,000 children at 20 participating elementary school in the district walked their own routes to school during the project period and documented them daily on a class poster. This resulted in a competition for a surprise prize. The teachers also used the teaching materials provided by MOVERS - Active to School and combined practical writing exercises, for example, with the benefits of active travel to school: it's fun, you stay fit and become independent.
Transport Minister Hermann and District Administrator Allgaier praise the project
Transport Minister Winfried Hermann emphasizes: "The journey to school is often the first step towards independent and sustainable mobility. With the hands-on campaign 'Schulwegprofis', primary school children experience their journey to school in a playful way and can discuss it in class. Thanks to the dedicated teachers and children in the participating schools, we have been able to gather important experience to implement the concept nationwide from 2024. Because walking, scooting or cycling to school is even more fun!"
District Administrator Dietmar Allgaier adds: "Sustainable mobility is an important topic for the district of Ludwigsburg - and it starts with the youngest children. I am delighted that this project has been so well received. Every time children walk to school, they not only improve their own health, but also make an important contribution to air pollution control, noise protection and a better quality of life in our communities."
Children walk an average of 14 routes to school
At the end of the campaign, the schools sent their results to the MOVERS service center for evaluation. On January 30, the award ceremony took place in the schoolyard of the winning school. The children covered 1,219 distances here. With 87 children taking part, that is an average of 14 independent journeys to school per child in the period from November 6-24, 2023 - in other words, almost complete participation. A "score" was calculated so that even small schools with fewer pupils had a chance of winning.
Lucky winners: Ensingen elementary school can look forward to a day of action with the scooter mobile
Acting principal Anja Bender is proud of the result. "Primary schools are faced with a variety of challenges and tasks. Nevertheless, we believe it is important that such campaigns are given space and implemented with commitment. The participation and motivation of the children shows that this effort is worthwhile."
The Ensingen elementary school won an action and project day with the scooter mobile - under the motto "Movement. Road safety. Fun and games".
But the other schools didn't go away empty-handed either: The schools on the winners' podium received reflective stickers to make the children more visible in road traffic. In addition, all participating children receive a certificate honoring them as "school route professionals".
What happens now? The campaign has shown: Even despite the rain and low temperatures, children enjoy walking to school. "We hope that the campaign was a prelude to continuing this culture," says District Administrator Dietmar Allgaier. After a revision, the plan is to roll out the "school route professionals" nationwide. By 2024, many more primary school children will be walking to school together in Baden-Württemberg.
All information on the interministerial program "MOVERS - Active to School" is available online at www.movers-bw.de. If you have any questions, please contact the MOVERS team: schulwegprofis[at]movers-bw.de
State program MOVERS - Active to School:
The school route professionals are part of MOVERS - Active to School. This interministerial state program advises and supports schools and local authorities in the implementation of school mobility management measures. The interdepartmental program was designed under the leadership of the Ministry of Transport together with the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Education. The project is coordinated at state level by Nahverkehrsgesellschaft Baden-Württemberg mbH (NVBW). MOVERS aims to strengthen the self-active and safe mobility of children and young people on their way to school. Individual measures, such as bike pools, school cycling or the promotion of bicycle parking facilities, are bundled under one roof. The goal: an overarching, comprehensive offer for schools and its effective implementation throughout Baden-Württemberg.
