Meet Arlo the Owl, our new mascot for safe and sustainable travel! 

Arlo the Owl has joined us to champion safe and sustainable travel in Leeds. Taking over from our beloved hedgehog mascots, Spike and Kerby – who are now happily retired at Prickly Pigs Hedgehog Rescue – Arlo is ready to help make our journeys safer and healthier. 

Why Arlo loves School Streets 

Arlo’s first big job was welcoming everyone at Ireland Wood Primary School at the start of term, and leading students on a Park and Stride to celebrate the launch of their new School Street. 

School Streets create safer, vehicle-free spaces around schools and encourage more families to choose active modes of travel like walking, cycling, wheeling, and scooting, making journeys safer and healthier. 

Arlo’s vision for Leeds 

With sharp eyesight and wisdom, Arlo supports the council’s Vision Zero Strategy—an ambitious plan to eliminate serious road injuries by 2040.  One way to do this is by reducing the amount of traffic on our roads – Arlo is really looking forward to Leeds becoming a city where you don’t need a car. 

As an owl, Arlo is very wise and knows how essential Child Friendly Leeds’ Wish 6 is for the city. Wish 6 is all about making travel safe and easy for children and young people in Leeds.  

Would you like Arlo to visit your school or community event?  

Get in touch at road.safety@leeds.gov.uk —we’d love to hear from you!