SD46 launches its year-long Go Active Travel program with a two-week campaign from May 30 to June 10. For two weeks, all students are encouraged to ride, walk or roll to and from school. The benefits of active travel are many. Riding, walking or rolling to school:
- Makes children more alert – waking up their mind and their body
- Improves school performance and students sleep better at night
- Is good for the heart and bones, and it reduces anxiety
- Fosters friendships
- Improve air quality and lowers traffic at school.
Kate Kerr, SD46 superintendent points out, “Many households are within walking or riding distance to their school (500m to 1,500m). A ride or walk to school may add 10 to 15 minutes of travel time, but it saves on crowded school parking lots, supports physical activity and well-being and helps reduce emissions. Even one active travel trip per week helps!” In addition, Kerr adds, “Active Travel Maps are now ready for eight elementary schools in the district to help families and students choose best routes.”
SD46 emphasizes that for students who are in Grade 3 or below, adult supervision enroute to school is key. For parents who live along the highway or head to work right after, try the Drive-to-5 option. This means drive partway, park safely about five minutes’ walk from the school and then walk together. It is a good time to connect while you enjoy some fresh air together.
To incentivize students this season, weekly raffles will be held at participating elementary schools for bicycle lights, bells, reflectors, temporary tattoos and other fun items. The District Parent Advisory Committee has dedicated $500 for student helmets to increase safety awareness. TraC, a local cycling advocacy group, is assisting with fun student activities at several schools. They are also sponsoring some student and staff participation raffle prizes. Alun Woolliams, TraC president says, “We’d love to see staff encourage students to participate. Students can win some great prizes and this year we added some staff specific prizes into the mix!”
Students already registered for SD46 bus service or regularly transit users are eligible for these prizes too – and where it is safe and appropriate, SD46 encourages them walk to and from their bus pickup/drop-off.
For drivers, SD46 emphasizes to please go slow. School zones are 30 km/h. Please wait on school buses. Never pass them. Kids are learning the ropes for active travel. Give them lots of space and reduce your speed especially at intersections and crosswalks. For more information visit: https://bit.ly/sd46active.
Funding for the program was provided by the British Columbia Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and administered by the regional Health Authorities and the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit.
