Vaughan's new pilot program promotes active, accessible and sustainable ways of getting to school

Municipalinfonet.com
May 31, 2022

Who says going to school can’t be fun? The City of Vaughan is excited to launch Active School Travel, a new pilot program promoting any form of human-powered travel, such as walking or wheeling (including the use of assistive mobility devices), cycling, rollerblading, skateboarding or riding the bus to get to and from school.

The Active School Travel pilot program is launching alongside Bike to School Week, which was proclaimed by the City and runs from today until Friday, June 3. During this week, students and their families are encouraged to travel to school by bike rather than by car.

Active School Travel is designed to help manage congestion in school zones; reduce air pollution and greenhouse gases; improve students’ physical and mental health and social development; promote lifelong habits that foster active lifestyles; and enhance road safety in school areas.

This pilot program is underway in eight schools across the city -- representing all five of Vaughan’s wards:

Anne Frank Public School, 431 Ilan Ramon Blvd.
Guardian Angels Catholic Elementary School, 200 Lawford Rd.
Johnny Lombardi Public School, 350 Lawford Rd.
Lorna Jackson Public School, 589 Napa Valley Ave.
Pope Francis Catholic Elementary School, 15 Secord Ave.
St. Stephen Catholic Elementary School, 451 Napa Valley Ave.
Viola Desmond Public School, 25 Farrell Rd.
Yorkhill Elementary School, 350 Hilda Ave.
To support the schools in promoting safe and active transportation, the City is launching a combination of tools and activities to get students and the community involved.

Participating schools will note the addition of traffic-calming measures, such as radar message boards, in-road flexi posts, improved and new school zone pavement markings and more to support the pilot project. Additionally, the City is equipped with a toolkit of initiatives, such as wayfinding signage, walk and bike-to-school days supports and promotions, and engaging children in different activities at school visits to encourage staying active and choosing alternative modes of transportation.

Alongside these activities, the schools will also receive Active School Travel banners they can display outside their building. Mobile signage will also be placed at major intersections surrounding the schools to raise awareness. In addition, City staff will be visiting all eight pilot schools to speak with parents are students about road safety and the importance of active school travel. Students will also have an opportunity to participate in the discussion and win promotional swag items. Other engaging initiatives, such as ‘Walking Wednesdays,’ ‘Winter Walk Days’ and involving key stakeholders like York Regional Police, will be used now and in the upcoming school year to get students involved and excited.

The City continues to collaborate with stakeholders and leverage partnerships to raise awareness, share information and promote active and sustainable travel, as road safety is a shared value and responsibility. As Vaughan grows, the City’s road network continues to expand to respond to the associated increase in travel demand. Road safety and effective traffic management are a top priority to help meet the existing and evolving needs of the community.

Vaughan’s Active School Travel pilot program is a collaboration with York Region, York Region District School Board, York Region Catholic District School Board, York Region Public Health and York Regional Police. The program also reinforces the City’s commitment to the Active, Safe and Diverse Communities​, and Transportation and Mobility priorities in the 2018-2022 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan.

Active School Travel is a part of the City’s MoveSmart Mobility Management Strategy, which focuses on improving the municipal road network, enhancing road safety and supporting more cycling and pedestrian infrastructure to create fully connected and integrated communities.

For more information on the City’s Active School Travel pilot program, visit vaughan.ca/ActiveSchoolTravel.