From Utrecht to Vietnam: Sharing Lessons on Safe School Zones

On Friday, 28 August, the Dutch Cycling Embassy had the pleasure of hosting a delegation from Vietnam and facilitating a knowledge exchange about safe school zones. The visit was organized by the AIP Foundation, an organization working to increase traffic safety worldwide, with a particular focus on South-East Asia. 

This study visit was specifically aimed at safe school zone design in Vietnam. Alongside other partners, the AIP Foundation is developing a guidebook for safe school zones in Vietnam, and to learn from international examples, the delegation carried out a study visit to Denmark, Sweden, and, of course, the Netherlands. The delegation included several high-ranking officials from the road departments of the Ministry of Construction, an official from the Ministry of Public Security, and an economic affairs officer from the United Nations.

The day was hosted at the office of Sport Utrecht. Project Coordinator Wiel Wijnen of Dutch Cycling Embassy opened the day with a short welcome, followed by three expert presentations on safe school zones. Laurens Hitman, director of active mobility at Sport Utrecht, opened with a presentation on the “software” of safe schools in Utrecht, how children are taught to cycle safely, how they build confidence on the bike, and how the pumptrack is used to make cycling fun and attractive for children.

Jaap Kamminga, senior policy advisor at the Fietsersbond, presented on the importance of 30 km/h zones in safe school zones and how to implement them successfully. Finally, Arjan Breider and Maaike van Stralen from Hart voor Verkeer gave a presentation on how to design safe school zones in collaboration with schools and the children who attend them. Arjan also highlighted the Dutch design standards for safe school zones, which he helped create.

Afterwards, the delegation went on a cycling tour guided by Arjan and Maaike through Utrecht, visiting different schools to see the measures taken there with their own eyes.