What you need to know
Encouraging active travel to school is part of our Climate Emergency Action Plan. Seven schools will participate in the School Streets Program from May 8, 2023, to June 2, 2023.
A School Street is a car-free block beside a school open to walking, biking, and rolling during pick-up and drop-off (30 to 60 minutes depending on location).
No motor vehicles are permitted to enter or exit the block when the School Street is in effect but parked vehicles may remain.
School Streets is a popular program in many jurisdictions around the world and has been shown to:
- Create a safer environment for children
- Improve air quality
- Encourage active travel to school and promote independent mobility
- Reduce congestion and vehicle volumes around schools
Program impact
We first piloted the School Streets Program at three elementary schools in 2021 and expanded to five schools in 2022.
- School communities have reported an increased sense of safety during the program.
- Families also reported an increase in active travel modes (walking, biking, rolling) when travelling to and from school.
2021-22 highlights:
- 21% of families reported driving less.
- 31% of families reported walking more.
- 25% of families reported biking more.
- 96% of students felt safer on the School Street compared to when vehicles were present.
- 77% of parents want the School Street to continue.
