With the new academic year underway, Transport for London (TfL) is celebrating a record number of schools that have gained or retained Gold accreditation with its educational programme TfL Travel for Life, and launching a new educational scheme to help older teens travel safely and confidently on the capital’s roads.
TfL’s new TfL Navigators road safety programme within TfL Travel for Life guides young people aged 16-18 to become risk-aware, safe and considerate road users. The programme is free to all secondary schools and colleges, with ready-made lessons that include discussions, quizzes and case studies, focused on three modules: Drive Safe, Cycle Safe and Ride Safe.
In 2025, five people aged between 16 and 18 died on London’s roads, while 187 people in this age group sustained serious injuries and 657 sustained minor injuries.[1]
TfL Travel for Life is an educational programme delivered in partnership with London Transport Museum and London boroughs that sees schools awarded Bronze, Silver or Gold accreditation for their efforts in reducing car use, improving safety and increasing sustainable travel. A school achieves Gold accreditation if it reduces car use on the school run by six per cent or achieves 90 per cent of morning and afternoon journeys by sustainable transport.
The total number of schools achieving Gold accreditation has risen by 48 this year, bringing the overall number of Gold schools across London to 1,057 – a record for the programme. Gold accreditation lasts three years and schools must complete 48 activities, such as balance bike workshops, educational assemblies and sustainability clubs. Newly accredited Gold schools include St James’ C of E Primary School in Enfield, Richard Atkins Primary School in Lambeth, and Islington’s Samuel Rhodes School. In addition, 214 London schools have retained their Gold accreditation for three more years, reflecting their continuing efforts to support safer and sustainable travel.
Will Norman, the Mayor of London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, said: “I’m delighted that a record number of schools across London are so deeply committed to helping more children walk, cycle and scoot across the capital, working to improve road safety and air quality in their communities. I look forward to seeing the new TfL Navigators offer bring more young Londoners into this vital work.
“We’re determined to keep building on this success, as we want even more people to benefit from TfL’s Travel for Life programme, so I really encourage any schools that aren’t signed up yet to get involved. The Mayor and I are committed to making it easier for people to choose walking or cycling on short regular journeys like the school run as we continue building a greener, safer, better London for everyone.”
Lilli Matson, TfL’s Chief Safety, Health and Environment Officer, said: “Knowing how to travel safely and sustainably is a key life skill, and we want to thank the many schools across London that are continuing to build TfL Travel for Life into their curriculum to help reduce road danger and air pollution, as well as improve both physical and mental health.
“Learning to drive a car, ride a moped or motorcycle or cycle independently can be a really exciting time for young people as they become more independent, and it’s vital that as they do so, they have a good understanding of the rules of the road, and the potential consequences of their choices and behaviours. Our new TfL Navigators programme approaches all this in a fun, thought-provoking and accessible way.”
