Parent-led charity helps Haringey families go green

Green School Runs allows families to try cargo bikes as a practical alternative to driving

Green School Runs - David Millar — Green School Runs (credit David Miller)

A Haringey-based charity is helping families swap stressful, traffic-heavy school runs for “joyful, low-emission journeys”.

Green School Runs, founded by local parents concerned about rising air pollution and dangerous roads around schools, allows families to try cargo bikes as a practical alternative to driving.

Thanks to new funding from e-bike company Lime and London Cycling Campaign (LCC) via its Share The Joy Community Fund, the charity now runs workshops, community rides and family-friendly events that “show parents what’s possible when everyday travel becomes active, social, and fun”.

For many parents, switching to a cargo bike has been transformative, with Haringey’s roads being among the most congested in London.

Green School Runs works closely with families, schools, and local partners to reduce car trips and support active travel, citing improved air quality, safer streets and better physical and mental wellbeing as key benefits.

David Miller, a Haringey parent, said: “I use it [a cargo bike] every week to get my children to Rainbows and Brownies after school. It’s around ten minutes on the bike but at least 20 by bus, longer if there’s traffic.

“The bike sails past the traffic queuing from Walthamstow to Tottenham on a separated cycle lane. I don’t have a car, so the cargo bike is also used for any errands like taking stuff to the dump and I can do a full family shop at the supermarket.”

Ruth Fitzharris, another Haringey parent, added:”I first came across cargo bikes when my son was around one or two. I wanted one desperately but at the time didn’t have the money to spend on it.

“After some research and a bit of training, I finally decided to go for it last summer. We don’t have a car, as I don’t know how to drive, and I don’t want the costs and admin involved in car ownership, as well as the responsibility for topping up our already toxic air. My only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner.”

The grant from Lime and LCC will fund two new ‘Cargos & Cakes’ events, where families can test-ride cargo bikes in a friendly, traffic-free environment, enjoy refreshments and ask questions.

Green School Runs project manager Gabriella Sbordone said: “Green School Runs was founded in 2018 by North London parents worried about the air our children breathe, the safety of our streets, and how little independence kids are left with in their neighbourhoods, especially during the school run.

“Through the Cargo Collective, a collaboration with Solve the School Run, we’re seeing how cargo bikes can be a genuine game-changer for families: they make it easy to carry children and shopping, combine the school run with commuting and errands, and cut car trips — while being fun for parents and kids.

“Our goal is to make that switch feel normal and doable, by building a supportive community and running local try-out events.”

Alice Pleasant, Lime’s senior public affairs manager, added: “We’re really thrilled to support initiatives like Green School Runs through our Share the Joy Fund with London Cycling Campaign. Haringey has such a strong and passionate cycling community, and it’s been inspiring to work alongside local groups like Green School Runs, the Risley Primary School cycling programme and Haringey Schools Cycling League.

“Supporting community projects is exactly what Share the Joy is about, and with our next funding round opening later this year, we’d love to hear from other Haringey community groups who have ideas they’d like to bring to life.”

Find out more about Green School Runs and get involved:
Visit greenschoolruns.org/cargo-bikes

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