2. Vision Statement To develop a safe, accessible, and inclusive school zone in Gogula Extension by implementing child-friendly infrastructure, encouraging walking and cycling, and promoting a barrier-free environment for all students, especially girls and children with disabilities. 3. Objectives • Ensure safe and dignified access to schools through improved pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure. • Promote active mobility and reduce school-time vehicular congestion. • Improve visibility, safety, and accessibility through signage, slow zones, and traffic calming. • Engage the school community and parents in building ownership and safety culture. • Enable schools to become hubs of local community engagement and inclusive mobility. 4. Proposed Interventions A. Infrastructure and Street Design Improvements • High-visibility pedestrian crossings (zebra crossings) at all four major junctions. • Raised table-top crossings near school gates to slow traffic and provide safe access. • Dedicated school-zone signage with speed limits (20 km/h), school symbols, and caution boards. • Cycle parking areas within or near school campuses. • Mark walking paths and painted footprints leading from nearby bus stops or residential areas. B. Active Mobility Hub Features • Identify and mark child-safe walking and cycling routes from nearby neighborhoods. • Encourage pedestrian-only streets during peak school timings (e.g., 8–9 am and 3–4 pm). • Promote cycle-to-school programs with monthly ride-to-school campaigns. • Create a Walking School Bus model led by community volunteers or older students. C. Accessibility and Inclusion • Ensure all pavements and school entry points have ramps, tactile paths, and barrier-free designs. • Include inclusive seating, drinking water, and shade shelters near schools for waiting parents. • Conduct an accessibility audit for all five schools and design improvements based on findings. D. Community Engagement and Capacity Building • Set up a School Zone Safety Committee with representation from all five schools, BBMP, traffic police, and parent groups. • Organize child-led safety audits, mural painting, and placemaking activities near school entrances. • Conduct awareness drives for drivers, shopkeepers, and residents to protect school zone discipline. • Celebrate Walk to School Day, Cycle Day, and safety awareness campaigns. 5. Expected Outcomes • Safer roads and crossings for over 1,000+ children commuting daily. • Reduction in accidents and improvement in pedestrian discipline. • Promotion of non-motorized transport for short trips, improving health and reducing air pollution. • Creation of a model child-friendly school zone for replication in other wards of Bengaluru. • Greater community ownership and local leadership in promoting urban safety and inclusiveness. 6. ESAF’s Involvement ESAF Foundation can play a key role by: • Preparing the comprehensive safe school zone plan and infrastructure design templates. • Facilitating community engagement programs and coordinating with school administrations. • Leading street activation activities, safety audits, and educational campaigns. • Supporting BBMP and traffic police in co-creating enforcement and monitoring mechanisms. 7. Conclusion The proposed transformation of Gogula Extension’s school zone into a child-friendly, walkable, and safe environment will not only benefit children and their families but also demonstrate how urban streets can be reclaimed for active, inclusive mobility. With strong community support and government collaboration, this project can serve as a replicable model for school safety across Bengaluru.