buzz

The school run doesn't have to be a rush. No more circling for parking, no more stress at the gate. The Buzz is reimagining the school drop-off – and it's coming to Manchester and Trafford this September.

Children who are physically active in the morning arrive at school calmer, more focused, and ready to learn. Research shows that just 20 minutes of activity before school can improve concentration and behaviour for up to four hours. Kids who walk or cycle regularly are also more likely to sleep better, stay healthy, and build the kind of confidence and independence that lasts a lifetime.

The Buzz makes it easy.

Every Friday, children cycle to school with their friends, led by a ride leader on a safe and sociable route – parents come along too. No specialist kit is required, just show up and ride.

Every Friday · show up & ride
A child waving happily surrounded by a group of children cycling to school together

Same Friday, on foot. Children walk to school with their friends while parents catch up along the way – and there's always time for a coffee once the kids are at school.

Same Friday · on foot
Parents and children walking to school together along a residential street
A good city has kids outside

Right now, many children are driven to school – even when they live less than a mile away. Air quality outside school gates suffers. Children miss out on daily movement that their bodies and minds need. The school gate becomes one of the most congested, stressful places in the neighbourhood.

The Buzz changes that

It builds a habit and skill on the road children can take into their teenage years. It builds a community of people who want to see less traffic in their neighbourhood. And it gives children fresh air, exercise and independence – safe routes, real community, every Friday.

A child playing outside with a hula hoop
@thebuzzzzzzzzzzzFollow the Buzz on Instagram

The Fun Way To Move!

Want to find out more? Speak to our project coordinator.

Sign your school up
Meet the team
Missie Hall
Missie Hall
Project Coordinator

Missie is on the ground and out in the neighbourhood, getting schools, parents and the local community on board and building our Buzz network school by school. She offers guidance to set a Buzz up from scratch, helps map the routes and handles the practical bits behind the scenes.

Cazz Ward
Cazz Ward
Project Lead

Cazz is managing the project, bringing everything together! She's using her project management experience to keep everything on track, on time and to budget, and to make sure we meet the requirements of our funder, Active Travel England.

Tiffany Chong
Tiffany Chong
Project Administrator

Tiffany is the backbone of the project, making sure the i's are dotted and the t's are crossed. She joins us after successfully setting up and running a School Street and a Bike Bus at Brookburn Primary in Chorlton, and also supports Missie on school outreach.

Dr Elsa Devienne
Dr Elsa Devienne
Researcher

Elsa is the research expert for the project. She's helping us develop our monitoring and evaluation framework and work out how we measure what does and doesn't work, so our learning can inform what works best for walking and cycling buses.

Harry Gray
Harry Gray
Deputy Project Lead

Harry leads on communications and branding. Need a boombox on a bike to celebrate your Bike Buzz? He'll be there. He's also setting up the citizen science side project, using Telraam traffic-counting sensors.

Delivered by:
Walk Ride Greater Manchester
In partnership with:
Manchester City Council Trafford Council Transport for Greater Manchester Mums for Lungs
Funded by:
Active Travel England Funded by UK Government