The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Programme continued to deliver significant benefits for school communities across Ireland in 2025, with the 2025 Annual Report showing 60 school infrastructure projects completed during 2025, bringing the total number of completed schemes to 156 since the programme began in 2021. The programme now has 526 schools actively participating and has engaged with all 31 local authorities nationwide.
Survey results show 10% reduction in car use, and 49% increase in cycling.
Travel survey results from schools where projects have been completed show encouraging shifts towards more sustainable travel, including approximately a 10% reduction in car use, an 8% increase in walking and a 49% increase in cycling, demonstrating the positive impact of safer front-of-school environments and improved active travel infrastructure.
Delivery and community engagement
In 2025 alone, 510 cycle parking spaces and 522 scooter parking spaces were delivered, while 17 project launches were celebrated with local school communities. The report highlights successful case studies from across the country, illustrating how partnerships between schools, local authorities, the NTA and local communities are helping to reduce congestion, improve road safety and support healthier, more sustainable travel habits for young people and their families.
Funding and Programme Co-ordination
The SRTS Programme is funded by the Department of Transport through the National Transport Authority (NTA). The Education and Community Action Team at An Taisce is co-ordinating the programme.
A School by School Approach
At the heart of the programme is a practical, school-by-school approach. Working directly with school communities, SRTS translates national active travel policy into tailored local solutions, addressing the specific traffic, safety and space challenges that can make it difficult for families to choose walking, cycling or scooting.
Targeted Interventions and Local Impact
Agreeing targeted interventions such as school zones, traffic-calming measures, safer crossing points and secure cycle parking, the programme helps create safer and more attractive routes to school while supporting local authorities to direct investment where it can have the greatest impact.