The autumn–winter edition of the “I Walk to School/Kindergarten” campaign took place in Gdynia from October to December 2025 as part of the BATS project. It targeted children aged 3–7, their parents, and teaching staff. The activities were coordinated by the Traffic and Mobility Management Unit of the Investment Department of the Gdynia City Hall in cooperation with the agency promotion.pl.
A total of 44 kindergartens and 16 primary schools with preschool classes (“zero grades”) were invited to participate in the campaign. In total, 224 groups and 5,551 children took part. The aim was to promote active and environmentally friendly travel to educational facilities (walking, cycling/scootering, and public transport), reduce car traffic around schools and kindergartens, and strengthen road safety habits, which are especially important during autumn and winter months – summarizes Tomasz Gałązka, Managing Director for Investments.
Main campaign activities
Campaign and educational materials
Participating institutions received informational posters, “tree” posters, and stickers. Children added leaves or snowflakes whenever they arrived on foot, by bicycle/scooter, by public transport, or using the “park & walk” model (parking farther away and walking the remaining distance). Teachers also received a set of approximately 10 simple activities related to mobility and road safety to use in everyday educational practice.
Gadgets and rewards for children – safety and motivation
The campaign also focused on improving visibility and safety after dark. Children received educational booklets, reflective bags and keychains, as well as diplomas. As a result, the campaign message was not only ecological but also highly practical: safe habits (wearing reflectors, being cautious, understanding pedestrian crossing rules) were linked directly to children’s daily journeys to educational facilities.
Competition and theatre workshops
One of the most attractive elements of the campaign was a film competition focused on children’s road safety. Six institutions participated, and five received awards (Kindergartens No. 28, 35, 31, 30, and 23). The prize consisted of workshops delivered by the Gdynia Główna Theatre entitled “The Princess and the Sparrow Stay Safe on the Road”, attended by 520 children from 21 groups. The theatre-and-movement format allowed children to practise pedestrian crossing rules, traffic signals, and reactions in emergency situations (including awareness of the emergency number 112 and the importance of reflectors) in a way that was natural and memorable for them.
Evaluation – survey research
The campaign was evaluated through surveys conducted among three groups: children, parents, and caregivers/teachers. The children’s survey was carried out twice, at the beginning and at the end of the campaign (October: 2,820 children from 144 groups; December: 2,748 children from 139 groups). Surveys among parents (N=384) and caregivers/teachers (N=99) were conducted online after the campaign ended.
Research results
1. Modes of travel to educational facilities – beginning vs. end of the campaign:
- walking: 35.2% → 38.9%
- public transport: 11.6% → 12.0%
- walking + car (“park & walk”): 12.1% → 12.0%
- car: 31.5% → 34.1%
- bicycle/scooter: 13.2% → 7.1%
Despite difficult autumn and winter conditions, the share of walking trips increased significantly. This is particularly important because walking is the most universal form of active mobility, accessible regardless of budget and in most locations. The decrease in bicycle/scooter use is typical for the season (weather conditions, darkness, slippery surfaces), while also indicating that winter campaigns should place greater emphasis on safe walking and “park & walk” solutions.
2. (Caregivers/teachers): What made campaign implementation most difficult?
- bad weather: 78 indications
- lack of adequate infrastructure: 48 indications
- insufficient parental engagement: 9 indications
Educational institutions were ready to participate, while barriers were mainly external. This is positive news, as it shows that with minor infrastructure improvements and better support during the autumn–winter season, the campaign could become even more effective without the need to “build motivation from scratch”.
3. (Parents): What makes environmentally friendly travel more difficult in autumn and winter?
- organisational difficulties / tight schedules: 176 indications
- bad weather: 163 indications
- infrastructure (35)
- carrying additional items (33)
- safety concerns (29)
- lighting (28)
- longer travel time (26)
Parents do not question the purpose of the campaign – the biggest challenges are the practical realities of busy mornings: time, logistics, and weather conditions. This means that even small improvements (simple organisational tips, clear walking routes, good lighting, and safe pedestrian access) may quickly translate into behavioural change.
Key conclusions of the campaign
The campaign achieved a very high level of acceptance among children: around 91% enjoyed decorating the posters, while approximately 59% declared that they encouraged their parents to choose more environmentally friendly travel options. This is an important outcome, as children genuinely influence household decisions and strengthen parents’ consistency in changing mobility habits.
The indicators show a real increase in walking trips, providing a solid foundation for future editions of the campaign.
Schools and kindergartens assessed the campaign organisation very positively, while the identified barriers (weather and infrastructure) can be addressed through municipal actions and a dedicated “winter-focused” communication strategy.
Recommendations for the next edition:
- Strengthen the parent-oriented module: short materials on “how to manage mornings without a car” (layered clothing, spare clothes, rainy-day alternatives), while highlighting the “park & walk” option as a realistic compromise.
- Introduce shorter motivational cycles: thematic weeks, mini group/class challenges, and simple competition formats. Parents often need an immediate motivational impulse rather than a long-term commitment.
- During winter, place greater emphasis on safe walking: reflectors, visibility, pedestrian crossing rules, and safe behaviour after dark.
- Improve infrastructure around educational facilities: bicycle and scooter parking spaces, better lighting of access routes, and prioritised snow removal and anti-slip measures on walking routes. These investments directly address the barriers identified in the surveys.
Author: Agata Ludwiczak, Gdynia City Hall
