What you need to know
Since 2012, we’ve consulted 3 to 6 schools each year to identify transportation-related challenges and opportunities, improve safety, and increase the number of children walking and cycling to school.
To date, 42 schools have participated in School Travel Planning.
Key partners
- City of Vancouver
- School staff
- Parent Advisory Council (PAC)
Additional stakeholders
- Vancouver Police Department (VPD)
- Other community organizers and agencies
Through the School Travel Planning program, we work with school communities to support active and sustainable travel to and from school.
We use a comprehensive approach known as the 5Es, which are:
- Evaluation: Collect information to understand context and monitor changes
- Engineering: Improve infrastructure near the school
- Enforcement: Increase compliance with traffic laws and parking regulations
- Education: Change perceptions of active travel and support programs to improve safety and reduce conflicts between modes
- Encouragement: Promote active travel as a fun, easy, and exciting way to get to school
Action plans and route maps
Find action plans and best walking and cycling route maps for schools that have participated in the School Active Travel Planning program.
Common infrastructure items to improve school safety
Learn how we improve school infrastructure and support activities that promote school safety and active travel.
New sidewalks and curbs
Sidewalk segments address gaps in the walking network. Sidewalks and curbs provide a continuous walking experience separating people from traffic. Pictured: Lord Kitchener Elementary, Collingwood St between W 24th Ave and W King Edward Ave.
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Promote active travel at your school
Whether you’re a student, teacher or parent - you can take action to promote active travel at your school:
- Start your own Walking School Bus External website, opens in new tab
- Promote Drive to 5 External website, opens in new tab: Encourage families to park five minutes away from school and walk the rest of the way
- Start an adult crossing guard program PDF file (325 KB) (independent schools)
- Share these safety tips PDF file (684 KB) with parents who may be driving
- Check out this active travel toolkit External website, opens in new tab for more ideas
Download the Active School Travel poster:
