Active Transportation in Schools

Ottawa Public Health2013-2014

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Why we do it?

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Are we DRIVING our kids to UNHEALTHY HABITS?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mK2syvFYcsA&feature=youtu.be

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Walking and Wheeling to School

Increases a child’s daily physical activity Reduces stress Improves grades at school Increases social interactions Helps reduce gas emissions around schools.

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Overcoming Barriers Barriers to walking and wheeling to school

are often linked to real or perceived safety hazards and the amount of time parents have.

Schools & School Councils can take steps to increase the number of children who walk or wheel to school to benefit the overall physical and mental health of children.

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Assessing Safety

Classroom Hands-Up Survey Traffic Observation and Count Form Ottawa Public Health Active Transportation

Assessment Tools.

http://www.saferoutestoschool.ca/school-travel-planning-toolkit

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Active Transportation in Ottawa Schools

Many elementary and high schools have been involved in a program called Active and Safe Routes to School (A&SRTS).

Some schools have created a plan to increase active transportation called School Travel Planning (STP). http://www.saferoutestoschool.ca/school-travel-planning

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School-Wide Events

iwalk Day: A day in October to participate in active travel to and from school.

Walking/Wheeling Wednesdays: One day during the week is dedicated to active travel.

Winter Walk Day: A day in February to encourage winter active travel.

http://www.saferoutestoschool.ca/winter-walk-day

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School Activities Kiss N’ Ride: Bussed students may be

dropped off in a designated spot to walk the remaining distance to school.

Greening-the-Tree activity: Each day, if students use active travel, they get a leaf.

Walking clubs: Promotion of walking at school.

AT Wheel Trivia: for youth and parents.

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Walking School Bus

http://www.saferoutestoschool.ca/walking-school-bus

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdn1IbYWXQg&feature=youtu.be

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Community Partners Who Can Help Green Communities Canada: Consult

with schools interested in creating a school travel plan

Ottawa Safety Council: Pedestrian safety presentations to schools and community

Registration Form: http://www.ottawasafetycouncil.org/childrens-programs/in-school-presentations

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Community Partners (cont’d) Ottawa Police Services: Enforcement

of speed and stop signs around schools City of Ottawa By-law: ‘No Idling’ at

schools, illegal parking around schools and change of speeds around schools.

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Community Partners (cont’d)

Ottawa Public Health nurses have many roles

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You Can Make a Change! Identify safe routes to school. Parent champions can help promote AT to

other parents. Create a plan with your family to look at

barriers to active travel and take action on solutions.

Commit to active transportation by being a role model.

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Be Active Every Day!

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Contact Information

Ottawa Public Health Information Line 613-580-6744 or healthy.schools@ottawa.ca

Green Communities Canada http://www.saferoutestoschool.ca/

Thank you!