SCHOOLS – Parents and staff give thumbs up to Safer Streets program

Active transportation for students has received a green light from parents and school staff, a report on the impact of a Safer School Streets pilot program shows.

The report on the program, which took place last spring in partnership with School District 73, Interior Health and the City, was released today (Dec. 18, 2023).

The pilot program was delivered at Arthur Hatton Elementary over a two-week period in May 2023, involving a temporary, car-free perimeter around the school during drop-off and pickup times.

Throughout the pilot, students and families walked, rode or rolled to class. The intent of was to improve safety, encourage active modes of travel, reduce traffic congestion and emissions, and offer space to play.

Staff, students, and families were provided opportunities to provide feedback throughout the program. Survey results showed that the majority of parents and staff perceived an increase in safety within the closure areas along Schubert Drive and Chestnut Avenue during the pilot program.

Of those surveyed, 61 per cent of parents and 70 per cent of staff said they support continuing the Safer School Streets program at Arthur Hatton. Surveys showed that significantly more students chose to use active transportation modes during the pilot program.

Students also continued to use active transportation modes even after the pilot program concluded.

The report also lists the lessons learned, which include the need for significant community support, school administrative involvement, staff support, and City-facilitated road closures.

Safer School Streets originated in Italy in the 1990s and has since been implemented globally. Cities across Canada, including Vancouver, Victoria, Surrey, Winnipeg, Hamilton, and Kingston, have implemented Safer School Streets programs.

Click here for more information and to read the Safer School Streets report.