This spotlight series is dedicated to showcasing the best practices shared by ERSC members. Each month, we highlight a different member’s innovative road safety initiative. By presenting these success stories, we aim to create a collaborative environment where others can recognise, celebrate, and adopt lessons learned and best practices.
Our May spotlight features the pedestrian safety courses developed by Easy Drivers Cycling School in Graz, Austria. This initiative aims to address critical gaps in traffic education among pedestrians, especially children and people with disabilities, through hands-on training and targeted courses.
Why the pedestrian safety courses have been recognised as Good Practice of the Month
May is European Diversity Month, a time to celebrate inclusion, equality, and diversity. In recognition of these values, we’ve selected the pedestrian safety courses developed by Easy Drivers Cycling School as May’s Good Practice of the Month.
The project aligns with the goals of European Diversity Month by providing road safety education to a wide range of individuals, including children, young adults, seniors and people with disabilities. By tailoring content and teaching methods to suit different needs, the courses ensure that road safety education is accessible to everyone, regardless of age or ability.
Key inspiration behind the pedestrian safety courses
The initiative was launched to close gaps in traffic safety education that typically ends after primary school and does not adequately serve individuals who do not pursue a driver’s licence. The rising popularity of alternative modes of transport, such as bicycles and e-scooters, has increased the need for all pedestrians to understand and interact safely with road traffic. Additionally, people with disabilities often face heightened risk in traffic environments and benefit greatly from adapted and inclusive road safety training.
The Easy Drivers Cycling School recognised these challenges and developed specialised training formats, first launching pedestrian courses for people with disabilities in 2020 and expanding into school-based programmes in 2022.
Project activities
Key activities of the project include:
- School safety courses: Since 2022, pedestrian safety courses have been offered at Austrian primary and secondary schools. Instructors cover essential traffic skills such as safe turning, understanding right-of-way rules, and the shoulder glance technique. One key exercise is the “priority eight” – a figure-eight track that helps children practise the rules of priority at intersections.
- Courses for people with disabilities: Initiated in 2020, these courses are co-led by trained social workers and cycling instructors. They include tailored activities with people with disabilities to teach fundamental traffic rules and simulate different traffic situations.
Outcomes of the initiative
The safety courses have had a significant impact on pedestrian safety, with participants reporting increased understanding of traffic rules. Instructors observed clear improvements in how both children and adults apply safe movement techniques and make traffic decisions, particularly among those with disabilities, who gained more confidence navigating through traffic. The programme’s practical and inclusive approach has successfully reached a wide range of individuals, driving positive behavioural change.
For more information
Read more about the Safety courses for pedestrians project here (Good Practice available in German) – explore the project's activities and outcomes in further detail.
If you want to develop a similar strategy in your local authority or Member State, contact the project lead, Benedikt Hierzer at b.hierzer@easydrivers.at. Benedikt can provide further information or advice on the project, as necessary.
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