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 to five schools in spring of 2022.
A School Street is a car-free block beside a school open to walking, biking, and rolling during pick-up/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
- 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
This spring, the School Streets program will be in effect at five local elementary schools from May 9, to June 3. Learn more about the participating schools below.
