Belfast Healthy Cities has launched its Walking Bus Pilot Report, revealing how the introduction of Walking Bus initiatives in primary schools can significantly improve children’s physical activity levels while contributing to healthier, more sustainable communities.

The findings were presented at a workshop on Thursday 11th December, where researchers, policymakers and practitioners came together to discuss the potential for expanding Walking Bus programmes across Belfast.

With childhood obesity now recognised as one of the most urgent public health challenges of the 21st century, experts emphasise that encouraging walking to school is a simple, practical way to help children achieve the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity. Walking Buses, organised groups of children walking to school along a set route with adult volunteers, also provide an opportunity to address broader issues linked to urban design, air quality and climate.

Jacqueline O’Hagan, Belfast Healthy Cities said: “Walking Buses encourage healthier daily habits while also reducing car dependency, traffic congestion and exposure to air pollution. They support both public and planetary health, and this pilot shows the significant difference they can make.”

This year’s Walking Bus Pilot, led by Belfast Healthy Cities, assessed how active travel behaviours could be supported and strengthened among school-aged children. The study measured a range of outcomes including physical activity (via step counts), traffic congestion (through on-site traffic surveys) and air quality (using Atmotube Pro monitors).

Eight schools across Belfast participated, with two schools completing the full pilot, St Anne’s Primary School, Finaghy and Bunscoil an Tsleibhe Dhuibh, Ballymurphy Road.

The report highlighted a 7% increase in pupils walking to school at least once a week.

At St Anne’s Primary School, the average morning step count for Primary 5 pupils rose from 1,055 steps to 8,557 over the course of the programme, a substantial shift toward more active travel habits.

Jacqueline continued: “Our December workshop highlighted the importance of cross-sector collaboration in scaling up Walking Bus initiatives and exploring how Belfast’s built environment can be designed to better support active travel for children and families.

“The Walking Bus Pilot Report will inform future decision-making, support schools seeking to adopt active travel initiatives, and contribute to the wider work of Belfast Healthy Cities in shaping environments that promote health, wellbeing and sustainability.”

The full report is available here.