Benefits of Active School Travel:
- Reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
- Reduces local air and noise pollution.
- Reduces traffic congestion and incidents.
- Improves road safety in and around school zones.
- Increases physical activity and mental well-being.
- Makes our communities more liveable places.
How the movement started
Alarmed by growing traffic congestion at her own children’s school, and inspired by the Safe Routes to School initiative in the UK, Jacky Kennedy introduced activities to get more kids walking and wheeling at three Toronto schools in the mid-1990s.
By 2000, the idea was spreading across Ontario. Most often, the program was introduced to each school community as a pilot project led by public health staff, with guidance and support from Jacky Kennedy and Green Communities Canada (GCC).
These early efforts focused on education and encouragement. Although results were encouraging, it became clear that a more comprehensive approach was needed to generate significant and sustained increases in active school travel.
Since the 1990s, Green Communities Canada has demonstrated the remarkable benefits of Active School Travel and our powerful toolkit for School Travel Planning.
Active School Travel Achievements
A History of Success
For three decades, Green Communities Canada has been a leading organization in Active School Travel. We do this through research, advocacy, resources, partnerships, and on-the-ground programming. This movement has a history of success, and we need to scale up efforts over the years to come.
The Idea Spreads
By 2000, the idea of active school travel was spreading across Ontario. Most often, the program was introduced to each school community as a pilot project led by public health staff, with guidance and support from Jacky Kennedy and Green Communities Canada. It was clear that a comprehensive approach was needed to generate significant and sustained increases in active school travel.
School Travel Planning
Based on research into international best practices, Green Communities Canada adapted School Travel Planning (STP) for Canada. STP is community-based model that systematically addresses barriers and incentives for walking to school. This model is pilot tested in four provinces and findings are used to develop a detailed toolkit for use by schools and communities.
Overcoming challenges in Ontario
With dramatic cuts to provincial funding in Ontario, GCC’s continues to build the Active School Travel movement by leveraging strong commitments and relationships with specific school boards. The Toronto District School Board and the Toronto Catholic District School Board have committed to expand engagement to an additional 105 schools between 2023-2026.
Active School Travel Stories from coast to coast to coast.
The latest news in Active School Travel.
Response to 2025 Federal Budget
School Streets Team Gathers in Person for the First Time!
Press Release: Two Million Students Ride the Bus to School – Who Gets Left Behind in the Electric Transition?
School Travel Planning Resources
There are many ways that you can boost active school travel at your school. Green Communities Canada hosts a searchable catalogue of School Travel Planning tools, ideas, reports, and guides to help get more kids using active transportation.
Join the movement for Active School Travel!
If you’re part of a school community interested in promoting active travel among students, we want to help you!
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