Brighten Your Bag competition inspires creativity and safety

We were delighted to be involved with the Isle of Wight Council Brighten Your Bag competition which is a creative initiative aimed at promoting road safety within primary schools and their communities.

The activity encourages pupils to design and decorate their school bags with high-visibility materials and/or colours, making them more visible to other road users during the darker winter months. Visibility is crucial for safety, especially during the winter when daylight is limited. Being visible to drivers can significantly reduce the risk of collisions.

Reflective and fluorescent materials and clothing help ensure children are seen by motorists, cyclists, and other pedestrians. Participants were invited to use reflective materials, bright colours, and innovative designs to ensure their bags stood out. The goal was to make the bag as bright as possible, combining creativity with safety.

Being seen isn’t just for the kids going to and from school — visibility is important for all road road users, particularly those that are classed as ‘Vulnerable Road Users’ (VRUs). VRUs include pedestrians (particularly children and the elderly), cyclists, disabled people, horse riders and motorcyclists.

The competition was open to primary schools across the Isle of Wight taking part in the council’s Junior Travel Ambassador (JTA) scheme.
This year, there were two categories for the competition:
•    Key Stage 1: Pupils were provided with a bag template to create bright and colourful designs.
•    Key Stage 2: Pupils were asked to decorate physical bags with reflective and fluorescent materials.

We offered a family ticket to their popular Christmas lights tour for the KS2 winner. is excited to announce the winners of the 

The winner are:
•    Key Stage 2 - Will Upton, Nettlestone Primary. Will won a scooter, a reflective drawstring bag and a family ticket for five to the Southern Vectis Christmas lights tour.

•    Key Stage 1 – Freddie Bane, St Mary’s Primary, won a scooter and a reflective drawstring bag.
Runners-up were given a reflective drawstring bag each.

Councillor Karen Lucioni, Cabinet member for community protection, said, "We are thrilled to see the enthusiasm from our young residents.
"The Brighten Your Bag competition not only fosters creativity but also raises awareness about the importance of being visible on the roads. It's a fun and engaging way to promote road safety. “Thank you to all those who took part, and we hope even more schools get involved near year! Always remember to Be Safe, Be Seen”

Zoe Stroud, Southern Vectis senior marketing executive, said: “It is important that we continue to educate all about road safety and in the winter months ensuring everyone is seen on the roadside during darker evenings. “The Brighten the Bag initiative helps promote the positive be safe and be seen messages to pupils and all bus users. The entries were once again fantastic and well done to all students for being creative and thinking about being safe".