At the end of September 2023, the Om Berg elementary school in Holzlar and the Marktschule elementary school in Pützchen began setting up temporary school streets as part of a pilot project by the City of Bonn to reduce pick-up and drop-off traffic (so-called parent cabs). In the meantime, the Andreasschule in Rüngsdorf, the Paul-Gerhardt-Schule in Beuel-Mitte and the Gottfried-Kinkel-Schule in Oberkassel have been added.
"I am delighted that the Bodelschwinghschule is now also joining in and increasing the safety of its schoolchildren with a temporary school street before the start of lessons," said Mayor Katja Dörner as she took a look at the start of the project at a press event on August 26, 2024. "Over the past twelve months, we have received nothing but positive feedback from the schools - and we have also received many positive reactions from the public," said Katja Dörner.
Mobile beacons are set up in the streets
With the help of committed parents and, in some cases, teachers, only authorized traffic is permitted on the access road before the start of lessons by means of mobile barrier beacons and corresponding traffic signs. This significantly reduces the volume of traffic in front of the school. The school will receive a special permit from the city council to set up the temporary school road.
Despite the establishment of the temporary school roads, residents and their visitors will still be able to drive through. The city administration will issue authorization cards or permits for this purpose. Residents can also pass through on presentation of their identity card, on which the current registration address in the closed street is noted.
Commitment of parents and teachers
Such a temporary school road stands or falls with the willingness of parents and teachers to actively participate on alternate school days to set up and accompany the barrier.
"As a city, we can only promote this because the temporary school streets, where they are implemented, are a very good solution to calm the traffic situation and thus increase the safety of schoolchildren," emphasized the Mayor of Bonn. "Unfortunately, parents at some schools are still reluctant. As a city, we can only recommend simply giving it a try with the help and advice of the administration. It's worth it!"
Principal Birgit Borcherding from Bodelschwinghschule: "We are very happy that the school road could be implemented with the help of parents, thus ensuring a safe route to school for the children."
Johannes Bildstein, principal of Marktschule: "We are very pleased with how the project has been received and how potential sources of danger in the vicinity of the school have been minimized. It is very important to us to make the route to school as safe as possible - especially in the run-up to Pützchens Markt. We would also be delighted if as many children as possible could get to school car-free and thus get a little more exercise and fresh air on their way to school."
The city administration hopes that other elementary school will follow the example of the six elementary school and set up temporary school streets. Currently, the Stiftsschule in Castell has expressed its interest; the application process is underway here.
Interested schools can contact verkehrslenkungbonnde.