A new volunteering initiative has been launched in South Dublin, urging children to take up more sustainable travel options.

The D12 Bike Bus sees parents, children and adult volunteers travel to Riverview Educate Together N.S via bicycle. The parents and volunteer marshals, from Dublin Cycling Campaign, act as a barrier between the children and traffic. It operates along an identified route with stops along the way to collect children and their parents.

This initiative was launched following the success of the Galway Cycle Bus.

Mayor Vicki Casserly, South Dublin County Council, said: "I must commend the D12 Bike Bus on such a positive initiative for the parents and pupils at Riverview Educate Together N.S. South Dublin County Council fully supports the development of lifelong cycling skills and the opportunity to gain some valuable exercise on the journey to school."

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Aodhán King, D12 Bike Bus Leader, added: "Nine children typically ride the Bike Bus each week. That's about six families, so six less cars on the road. It also means the accompanying parents can usually cycle onwards to their workplace, thereby enabling further cycled journeys. In terms of safety as well, in the absence of segregated cycle ways, the bike bus provides a safe and protected way for our children to get to school."

The D12 Bike Bus commences at Iveagh Gardens and travels along Crumlin Road, Bunting Road, Walkinstown Roundabout, St. Peter's Road, Mountdown Road and onto Limekiln Road where it terminates at Riverview Educate Together N.S. The journey takes approximately 35 minutes and features six stops along the way. The bus currently operates every Friday, but there are plans to extend this and to extend the number of routes as interest and the school population grows.

(CM/JG)