What you need to know
Encouraging active travel to school is part of our Climate Emergency Action Plan. We partnered with the Vancouver School Board to pilot School Streets at three local elementary schools in spring 2021.
We are expanding the School Streets program for the 2021-22 school year.
A School Street is a car-free block beside a school open to walking, biking, and rolling during pick-up/drop-off (30 to 45 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
- Support physical distancing needs due to COVID-19
Pilot highlights
- 29% of families reported driving less
- 32% of families reported walking more
- 76% of parents want the School Street to continue
We will be continuing the School Streets Program for the duration of the 2021-22 school year at the three initial pilot schools: Hastings Elementary, Lord Roberts Elementary, and Van Horne Elementary. We will also be expanding the program further and launching new School Streets next year.
Confirmed School Streets beginning in September 2021
Dates: Wednesday, September 8 to Thursday, June 29, school days only
Hastings Elementary:
- Street closure to motor vehicles: Franklin St between Penticton St and Slocan St
- Time in affect: 8:40am to 9:10am and 2:40pm to 3:10pm
- View School Street diagram Image file (16 KB)
Lord Roberts Elementary:
- Street closure to motor vehicles: Comox St between Bidwell St and Cardero St
- Time in affect: 8:40am to 9:10am and 2:40pm to 3:30pm
- View School Street diagram Image file (16 KB)
Van Horne Elementary:
- Street closure to motor vehicles: Ontario St between W 42nd and W 43nd and E 42nd between Ontario and alley
- Time in affect: 8:40am to 9:10am and 2:40pm to 3:10pm
- View School Street diagram Image file (16 KB)
