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Request for sanctioning the building of school access roads in Ingolstadt

Faction from BÜNDNIS 90/DIE GRÜNEN advocates for trial of 'school streets' in Ingolstadt, limiting traffic in areas around primary schools during specific hours before and after school. This measure aims to address escalating safety concerns caused by 'parent taxis'.

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Alliance 90/THE GREENS faction within City Council proposes trial of 'pedestrianized schools' in...
Alliance 90/THE GREENS faction within City Council proposes trial of 'pedestrianized schools' in Ingolstadt, suspending motor vehicle access to these areas near primary schools during particular school hours, except for local traffic.

Request for sanctioning the building of school access roads in Ingolstadt

Title: The Greens Advocate for 'School Streets' to Enhance School Safety and Sustainability

The Greens Put Forward Proposal for 'School Streets'

In an attempt to combat the escalating safety risks due to unruly traffic situations, Bündnis 90/DIE GRÜNEN has put forth a proposition to establish 'school streets' in Ingolstadt city. Within these designated areas, motorized individual traffic, excluding local vehicles, would be restricted during specific time periods before school hours and after school ends. This trial period aims to improve safety and promote sustainability around schools.

Motivation Behind the Proposal

The increasing popularity of so-called "parent taxis" at school drop-offs and pick-ups has resulted in chaotic scenes, jeopardizing children's safety around school entrances. Evidence shows that school streets help mitigate such issues, making the school route more secure, particularly for smaller schools and kindergartens. Adopting this method has already positively impacted other cities, providing a promising solution for Ingolstadt.

According to 2023 statistics, approximately 92,000 school route accidents occurred in Germany, with the number of private vehicles at school gates significantly up over the years. About every fifth child in Germany is driven to school, which, considering an average school with 500 children, results in around 100 cars idling at the school entrance every day. Forty-three percent of children now walk to school, in sharp contrast to the 92% who did so in 1976, indicating the urgent need for school streets.

To assess the effectiveness of school streets in Ingolstadt, a temporary pilot area could also be designated at a suitable (elementary) school. This would allow for specific criteria, such as time frames, to be identified for future school streets in the city. Let's prioritize the well-being of our children and invest in safety and sustainability for our future generations.

** Engaging Communities and Implementing Effective Measures**Cities worldwide have adopted a variety of strategies to implement 'school streets.' Time-restricted closures, permanent pedestrianization, collaborative design, and reduced speed limits have proven effective in promoting child safety, reducing traffic congestion, and enhancing air quality.

  1. Collaborative Design: Involving students and community members in the design process ensures that school streets cater to the needs of all stakeholders.
  2. Lower Speed Limits: Implementing 15 MPH zones has resulted in fewer child pedestrian accidents.
  3. Permanent Pedestrianization: By converting school streets into pedestrian-friendly zones, cities can reduce traffic congestion, improve safety, and boost community engagement.
  4. Active Travel Promotion: Encourage children to adopt active travel methods, like walking or cycling, to school. This practice leads to less traffic, supports healthier lifestyles, and fosters a cleaner environment.

Despite these promising results, challenges persist, particularly in regions facing legal uncertainties or limited political support. Moving forward, cities must address these obstacles to ensure the widespread adoption of safe, sustainable school environments.

Towards a Safer TomorrowBy implementing school streets, Ingolstadt can create a safer, more sustainable, and community-focused school environment. Collaboration between city officials, parents, students, and teachers will be crucial to ensure the success of this initiative. Together, we can provide our children with the safer and cleaner schools they deserve.

  1. The Greens suggest that the finance industry consider investing in the development of educational programs focused on both sustainability and transportation, as these initiatives are key to creating safer, better-connected schools and communities.
  2. By advocating for the 'School Streets' initiative and engaging communities in its design, the education-and-self-development sector plays an essential role in fostering an environment where children learn not only academic subjects but also principles of collaboration, self-empowerment, and safety awareness.

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