Prioritizing Safe Routes to Schools

“…START FROM SCHOOLS AND WORK OUTWARD TO THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES." ~SURVEY RESPONDENT

Throughout Phase One of the Active Transportation Plan process a need to expand and improve sidewalks and crossings around schools was frequently mentioned as a result of the experiences of students and families travelling to and from school. Key concerns related to school travel are both a lack of safe, continuous pedestrian facilities to/from schools, as well as concerns over driver behavior and vehicle speeds in the vicinity of schools.

Suggested improvements for walking and cycling to school within the Active Transportation Plan include priority given to enhancing intersections, crossings, sidewalk networks and lighting along routes regularly travelled by children and their families, as well as focusing traffic safety and speed enforcement efforts in these locations.

August is a great time to practice walking to school. Families can map out routes based on their walking and cycling priorities and travel together!

Travelling actively in a socially distanced way to travel to and from school and has the additional benefits of improved health and fitness and air quality and arriving at school refreshed and alert and ready to learn.