Traffic Gardens

Building Lifelong Skills in Physical Activity and Active Transportation

A Traffic Garden is a small-scale streetscape designed for educational programming, skill-building, and active fun. Mecklenburg County Public Health Safe Routes to School program provides resources and expertise to help elementary and middle schools create opportunities for students to safely walk, bike, or roll to, from, or at school.

The combination of physical movement and imaginative fun makes traffic gardens an effective tool for bike and pedestrian roadway safety education.

Locations

Why Traffic Gardens

School Traffic Gardens not only expand the learning opportunities and bicycle practices for students, but they also:

  • Create a safe, controlled space for learning and practicing cycling skills.
  • Offer quality educational space to teach children and adults traffic navigation as cyclists and pedestrians.
  • Promote active transportation and enhancing physical and mental health and well-being.
  • Builds the skills and confidence to use active transportation for everyday destinations..
  • Decrease chronic disease and death associated with a sedentary lifestyle.

Education and Programming

Bicycle education programming is also offered to CMS kindergarten and first-grade students through the All-Kids Bike program, currently at 50 schools in partnership with Mecklenburg County Public Health, CMS Health and Physical Education department, and Trips for Kids.

As Traffic Gardens are installed, the All-Kids Bike curriculum and programming will help to educate students about traffic safety. Students at the school and members of the community can access the Traffic Garden for learning and play.

kids on bikes at the public health traffic garden

Partners

Questions?

Email: Dianne Thomas, Built Environments for Active Living Supervisor