| Active and Safe Routes to School
Active and Safe Routes to School is a program designed to assist school communities in encouraging safe and active travel to and from school.
If the current trends continue we may no longer have a generation that will remember walking to school. Vehicle ownership is increasing steadily, resulting in congested roads and increased air pollution from transportation. As more people opt to drive to their destination, parent’s fears of traffic dangers and personal safety increase, forcing parents to drive their children to and from school. School areas, in many communities, have become traffic nightmares and all too frequently we hear children becoming victims of collisions right outside their school.
Today’s children are less physically active in general than previous generations. According to the Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute (1995), two-thirds of Canadian children and youth are not currently active enough to lay a solid foundation for future health and well being. As many as 60% of youth in Simcoe County are overweight. In fact, nationwide obesity has increased by more than 50% in children aged 6-22 in the past 15 years.
The Benefits of the Program
- Increased physical activity for children and youth
- A healthier lifestyle for the whole family
- Less traffic congestion around schools
- Safer and calmer streets and neighbourhoods
- Improved air quality and a cleaner environment
How does ASRTS work?
International Walk to School Day – takes places in early October and provides the perfect opportunity to start an ASRTS program.
Neighbourhood Walkabouts – Ensures the routes to school are safe. Organized by parents and staff from the school, a site tour is conducted of the school area.
Walking Wednesday – Schools set aside once day a week to walk to school. Classes can have friendly competition to encourage walking.
Walk a Block – Encourage parents to safely park their car a few blocks from the school, and then walk the remaining blocs with their children. Traffic congestion and pollution are reduced in the immediate school area.
Walking School Buses – Volunteer parents who live on the same blocks take turns walking children to and from school.
No Idling at School – Encourages motorists who stop outside schools to turn off their engines while they wait.
The Simcoe County ASRTS has developed a steering committee that consists of volunteer representatives from:
- Simcoe County Health Unit (x 6)
- Police Department (x 3)
- Public School Board (x 4)
- City of Barrie
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