Create a ripple of change
You want a safer, healthier walk to school? You’re not alone. Thousands of parents across London are working together to create safer streets outside schools.
A 'Streets for Kids' event is your chance to spotlight the issues on your school run. Or to celebrate some fantastic new changes that your council has implemented to make it better. It shows decision-makers that families are united in their demand for change.
What are these events?
Whether it’s a 'Zebra Rally', a 'Bike Bus', or a 'Show & Tell', these events are powerful, community-led moments of action. Often, councillors and school staff don't see the daily dangers we face. This is your moment to show them. And politicians rarely get thanked for improvements they’ve made - they’d greatly appreciate the chance to see what it means to your community.
Why we run them
These events are part of an exciting wider movement across London and Europe, run by our partners Clean Cities. Held annually in May and September, they bring parents, children, and local leaders together at the school gate to demonstrate undeniable public demand for safer, healthier streets. They serve as a critical bridge between grassroots campaigning and political action, proving to local councillors and decision-makers that families are united in their call for infrastructure and policy improvements that will transform children's journeys.
How to run them
Arranging an event is straightforward. It requires your key allies, a bit of organisation, and the enthusiasm of your school community. You don’t need to be an expert to start—you just need to bring people together, choose a format that works for your school, and commit to the process. If you are based in London and it’s your first event, we are here to support you.
Before you start, if you haven't already, make sure you register as a School Mobilisers so we can set you up for success.
Step by step guide
1. Pick your format
Choose the style that works best for your school:
👉Show and Tell: Invite families to show staff and politicians the good, the bad, and the dangerous spots on your school route. [Very straightforward to run].
👉Zebra Rally: Dress up in our zebra onesies near an unsafe crossing. It’s perfect for photos. [Very straight forward to run].
👉Bike Bus: Organise a group cycle to school. [A bit more time consuming].
👉Walking Bus: A supervised group walk to school. [A bit more time consuming].
2. Engage your school staff
Chat with your headteacher about what you’re planning and invite them. Building a good relationship with staff is incredibly helpful. If the school is engaged with the TFL Travel for Life program, then public awareness raising events like these are a key element, so let them know it can count towards that program.
3. Pick your date
Pick a date that works best for your key allies, your local councillors & school staff.
Friday mornings are often best for school communities. They are typically convenient for parents who work from home and often align with the school week's end, allowing for a bit of a celebratory atmosphere.
4. Make a logistics plan
Map out the flow of the event to ensure success:
👉Timing: Clearly define arrival times for parents, councillors, and school staff.
👉Location: Identify the best spots for the activity and for capturing photos.
👉Route: If doing a Show and Tell or Zebra rally, decide which sections of the route highlight the key issues you want to address. Or which areas show the really great changes that your council has implemented. Make sure it’s safe.
If you are running a Bike Bus or a Walking Line, there's is a bit more to it. Check out Streets for Kids Event types guide here (coming soon).
5. Advertise your event
Use your school WhatsApp groups and newsletters. Here is an example template.
Are you concerned about traffic and road safety at the school gate? You’re not alone. We’re hosting a Streets for Kids event to show our local leaders some of the danger spots on the roads around the school. This is a quick before school event that all are welcome to, so please join us!
👉What: [e.g., Bike Bus / Show & Tell / Walking Bus]
👉When: [Date] at [Time]
👉Where: Meeting at [Location/Start point]
👉Why: To demonstrate to local councillors the urgent need for safer infrastructure. The more families who show up, the stronger our message becomes.
Want to help or stay updated? Join our WhatsApp group here: [Link]
6. Register your event
This is critical! Ensure your event is registered on the Clean Cities campaign website. It really helps us get your efforts counted by funders and politicians.
7. Invite local ward councillors
Invite local ward councillors to see the reality of the school run first-hand. It is also worth reaching out to relevant cabinet lead for transport. This is the ultimate decision maker for the infrastructure changes you want, so it is good to engage them with your asks.
Councillor email addresses - go to your council webpage to find your ward and email address.
Email template - use our email template here to invite them.
8. Get your visuals aids ready
Banners, posters, and signs make a huge impact. Download templates from our website, but also encourage the kids to get creative and make their own! These are super important for photos - which you can use in social media and press to really amplify your event and your voices!
Templates - download easy to print Streets for Kids and Solve signs here.
9. Send your reminders
A quick nudge on WhatsApp groups and in the school newsletter a few days before makes all the difference for turnout.
10. Complete your event and celebrate!
You’ve taken a brilliant step! Celebrate your community's effort. Don't forget to take photos, engage with attendees, and get across the highs and lows of your school runs.
11. And finally…keep the pressure on
Engage: Email your councillors with a summary of the event and your specific requests.
Share: Post photos on social media and send them to your local SOLVE group. Use campaign hashtags #streetsforkids and tag your politicians.
Advocate: Use our press release template to share your story with local media (coming soon)
A Streets for Kids event is an exciting mobilising moment in your community campaign. For information on what else we recommend to successfully get political commitment head over to our How to campaign to change your school run guide.