If your child is returning to school in September, take some time to consider the best transportation options for your family. If you are not putting your student on a school bus, here is a list of tips and resources to help you plan a commute that is safe for everyone.
Benefits of walking or biking to school
Children need at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day. Finding ways to fit this into a daily routine is hard for busy families. Walking or biking to school helps solve this issue and both are easy ways for children to become more independent, spend time outdoors and, in many cases, save time.
Children who walk or bike to school on a regular basis also benefit in the classroom with :
- improved concentration
- better stress-coping abilities
- reduced feelings of isolation
- increased social interaction
Other benefits include reduced traffic congestion in school zones and reduced greenhouse-gas emissions.
Visit School Active Transportation for more information.
Road SMARTS stands for: Support Making All Road Travel Safe.
As schools, parents and students plan their routes to and from school, we are encouraging everyone in the community to use their Road SMARTS to ensure everyone’s safety and to reduce traffic in and around School Zones.
To learn more about the Road SMARTS pledge, click here.
It’s a COVIDWise thing to do
Many young people are far less active today than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic began. Active transportation, such as walking or cycling to school, is an excellent way for the student in your life to be more active.
COVID-19 has been stressful for everyone. That walk or bike ride to school can reduce stress and improve the overall mental well-being of the student in your life.
Getting started
Parents, always remind your children to:
- Walk on available sidewalks
- Cross only at intersections
- Use Pedestrian Crossovers, or PXOs, when they’re available
Visit Road Safety for more tips for drivers and parents.
School transportation authorities have resources to help with:
- Walking routes for specific schools
- Walk-a-Block maps for specific schools
- Walking school buses
Check with your local school board and transportation authority about what your child needs to safely travel between home and school in a COVIDWise way. For most Ottawa students, that would be one of:
