Parents and teachers are urging the NSW government to fix dangerous roads around schools, with more than a third of respondents of a new survey citing unsafe crossings as a reason for driving to school over cycling or walking.
The NSW School Safety Survey released on Wednesday found more than two-thirds of children are driven to school across the state.
But many parents would prefer their children walk or ride to school.
It also noted speeds on NSW roads would increase by 50 per cent if five per cent of all car trips shorter than five kilometres shifted to walking or riding.
NSW opposition spokeswoman Jo Haylen says the state government should heed the message of parents by providing commuting alternatives.
The government should also hire more crossing supervisors, Ms Haylen says.
"It beggars belief that in 2020, schools still don't have safe pedestrian crossings, crossing supervisors or footpaths," Ms Haylen said in a statement on Wednesday.
"The government should commit to improving safety, creating local jobs by building this vital infrastructure now."
The School Safety Survey found 1153 crossing guards are currently employed across NSW but only a small portion have been hired since the government pledged in the 2019 state budget to deploy 300 more.
"Families across NSW want the option to ride, walk or take public transport, but the premier needs to build the infrastructure and provide the services to make it possible," Ms Haylen said.
"Getting families to walk or ride to school is better for our kids' health, is cheaper, cleaner and critically gets cars off our busy streets."
A Transport for NSW spokeswoman said on Wednesday the school crossing supervisor program is on track, with the roll-out of the first 80 supervisors now complete.
"The program has in fact been fast-tracked. Rather than the initial four-year commitment, all 300 new school crossing supervisors will now be in place in three years, demonstrating our commitment to some of our most vulnerable road users," the spokeswoman said.
"There will be 110 new supervisors provided to schools in each of the next two financial years."
According to Legislative Council house business papers posted on May 11, 81 applications for crossing supervisors had been received and 22 rejected since the 2019 state budget.
Bicycle NSW general manager Bastien Wallace said the COVID-19 pandemic has placed more pressure on car travel and other commuting methods were essential.
"Bicycle NSW has long campaigned for the infrastructure, funding and support for behaviour change because we know active travel helps children stay healthier, it decongests our roads and it's better for the environment," Ms Wallace said in a statement on Wednesday.
Australian Associated Press
