The Road Safety Authority has launched this year's Back to School road safety campaign.
As part of the campaign, free high visibility vests will be issued to every child starting school next month.
Around 800,000 children in Ireland have received vests in the seven years since the campaign started.
The Department of Transport, RSA and Cycling Ireland have developed the National Standard for Cycle Training, called Cycle Right, to give practical cycle safety and skills training to promote competent and confident cyclists.
As well as keeping cycle safety in mind, parents are reminded to ensure their child is visible when walking or cycling on the roads, or when waiting for the school bus.
Minister for Transport Shane Ross has reminded motorists to be mindful of "most vulnerable road-users" as children return to school after the summer holidays.
He said: "We would encourage parents and teachers to use our new cycle training programme to educate children to be vigilant when out walking or cycling to school and ensure they have all the correct safety gear; high vis jackets, lights and helmets for doing so."
Road Safety Authority Chief Executive Moyagh Murdock said: "In addition to the inevitable increased traffic levels, motorists and other road users should be conscious of children walking and cycling to and from school.
"Drivers need to pay attention to their speed, particularly in urban areas.
"Children are the most vulnerable of our road-users so it is really important that parents and teachers ensure that they learn how to stay safe on the roads."
