This week, Modeshift welcomed Blanka Klimešová and Kateřina Machová Ondřejová from Czech organisation Pěšky městem (City on Foot) for a two-day study visit.
Blanka Klimešová and Kateřina Machová Ondřejová travelled from Prague to learn more about the programmes, partnerships and people helping to increase walking, wheeling and cycling to school across England.
Best Practice in Sheffield and Birmingham
Day One: Sheffield
Starting at Nether Edge Primary School, the visitors experienced the school’s successful School Street and wider clean air activities in action.
The group met pupils, staff and local partners including Living Streets, Histrionics, Sheffield City Council, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and the STARS South Yorkshire team.
Activities included a Clean Air assembly, a meeting with the school’s Green Team and the chance to see how pupils are actively involved in shaping travel and environmental initiatives.
Councillor Alexi Dimond, Chair of Sheffield City Council’s Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee, providing valuable insight into how policy and political leadership can support walking and cycling initiatives.
Sheffield City Council and the STARS South Yorkshire team showcased the work being delivered across the city to support safer and more sustainable school travel.
Day Two: Birmingham’s collaborative approach to school travel planning and behaviour change.
The morning began at Cotteridge Primary School, where the visitors met school staff, volunteer stewards and Junior Travel Ambassadors.
Throughout the visit, the Pěšky městem team explored how travel planning, engagement activities and community partnerships work alongside infrastructure improvements to support lasting behaviour change.
Modeshift Active Travel Inspectors
Exceptionally hot weather meant pupils were unable to take part in an outdoor inspection on the day. Instead, the Modeshift team demonstrated how an Active Travel Inspection (ATI) works, explaining how the programme empowers Key Stage 2 pupils to assess their local area and identify what helps or hinders walking, wheeling and cycling to school.
Through the programme, pupils inspect routes, crossings, streets and public spaces, rating different aspects of the school neighbourhood and suggesting improvements that can be shared with local authorities and decision-makers. The demonstration provided the Pěšky městem team with an insight into how young people are actively involved in shaping the future of their local streets and school journeys.
The ATI programme continues to grow across England.
- 89 Active Travel Inspections have been completed
- in 22 local authority areas,
- involving around 700 pupils.
Learning Across Borders
Reflecting on the visit, Blanka Klimešová described the experience as:
‘It’s been inspirational.’
She also spoke about how much she had learned during the visit and highlighted the value of meeting local politicians and decision-makers, explaining that securing political support for school travel initiatives can often be challenging in Prague.
Working Together to Improve Everyday Journeys
Nick Butler, Chief Executive Officer at Modeshift, said:
‘It’s been a pleasure to welcome Blanka and Kateřina to Sheffield and Birmingham and showcase the fantastic work being delivered by schools, local authorities and partners across our network.
What stood out over the last two days is the passion and commitment of everyone involved – from pupils and teachers to councillors, officers and delivery partners. The visit has highlighted the importance of combining good travel planning, behaviour change programmes and strong local leadership to help more children and families choose walking, wheeling and cycling for everyday journeys.
Links
Active Travel Inspectors – Modeshift
