Active Transportation
in Schools
Ottawa Public Health
2013-2014
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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/childrensprograms/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!
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