The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Cllr Tracy Kelly, has officially launched Belfast Healthy Cities’ new Healthy Transport Teaching Resource, designed to help schools explore sustainable travel, air quality, and the health benefits of active transport. The launch, held at Belfast City Hall, was attended by Belfast Healthy Cities Chief Executive Charlene Brooks and Jacqueline O’Hagan, Healthy Cities Coordinator, who worked alongside schools and partners to bring the project to life.
Speaking at the launch, the Lord Mayor of Belfast Tracy Kelly said:
“I am delighted to launch this innovative resource, which gives children the tools to understand how the way we travel impacts our health, our environment and our city. Projects like the Walking Bus initiative show how young people can lead by example, helping to reduce congestion, improve safety around schools, and create healthier daily habits. This new resource will empower schools across Belfast to take the next step in embedding active, sustainable travel into everyday life.”
Charlene Brooks, CEO of Belfast Healthy Cities, said:
“Transport is a vital part of the conversation about health equity. Our Walking Bus pilots have shown the huge benefits of encouraging children to travel actively – from improved wellbeing and readiness to learn, to reduced traffic at school gates. The Healthy Transport Teaching Resource builds on this success and will give teachers practical tools to link these lessons with the curriculum. We are also delighted to connect this work with our Green Health Maps, which highlight the green and blue spaces that make walking and cycling more enjoyable and accessible across Belfast.”
Jacqueline O’Hagan, Healthy Cities Coordinator at Belfast Healthy Cities, added:
“This resource is about equipping children with knowledge and confidence. From learning about air pollution and the history of transport, to designing their own walking bus routes, it allows them to explore healthy transport in a hands-on way. We’re excited to see schools adopt it and inspire the next generation of active travellers here in the city.”
The Healthy Transport Teaching Resource includes lesson plans, classroom activities and a range of resources for use in the classroom with Primary School Children. It can be used on its own or integrated into new or existing schools active travel projects, such as Walking Bus initiatives and links directly with the Northern Ireland Primary Curriculum – ensuring teachers have clear pathways to integrate sustainable transport into everyday learning.
For further information and to access the resource, sign up and login on our School Resources section.
