Survey Results

Active Transportation

1.Walking and Cycling to School

Despite the benefits described above, the percentage significantly in recent decades. This decline has contributed traffic congestion, and environmental pollution.

Can you describe what proportion of students walk or cycle to school in your ward?
There are more K-8 schools than the high schools in my ward. Given that fact, I think more students work to school. About 68% work the rest cycle or ride with their parents to school.

Do you support taking measures to increase this number?

Strongly
Support

Somewhat
Support

Somewhat
Oppose

Strongly
Oppose

No
Answer

Comments As a school board trustee, I will meet with the Parents Advisory Councils in the schools in my Ward for a strategy session. We will educate ourselves about health benefits of walking or cycling to school. Students attend the schools in their neighbourhood. I will encourage all parents to consider walking or cycling as the first option of their children’s transportation. We will invite TCAT staff to make a presentation to us.

2.Walking Safety Education

Walking safety programs taught in elementary school play an important role in teaching young children how to walk safely in the city, which reduces accidents and gives children the confidence to begin to walk regularly.

Can you describe the extent to which walking safety is taught in elementary schools in your ward?
I am not sure that enough is currently done in the schools. As a trustee, I will insist that safety is taught and significant portion of a lesson period is assigned to it. Safety is one of my three priorities. “Safety is job 1”.

Do you support increasing the extent of this teaching?

Strongly
Support

Somewhat
Support

Somewhat
Oppose

Strongly
Oppose

No
Answer

Comments I taught in high school around GTA for over 20 years. I retired this year. I will undertake to assist in the design of the curriculum if teachers have troubles with what they should teach. I will ask TCAT to provide us with recourses.

3. Cycling Courses

Various levels of cycling courses can be made available at public schools. These courses give students confidence to ride their bikes in the city, and the skills to make sure they can do so safely.

Can you describe the extent to which cycling courses are provided at schools in your ward?
From my direct experience no cycling courses are provided in the high schools. I have to find out from the principal of the elementary schools before I can give you a definite answer.

Do you support increasing their availability?

Strongly
Support

Somewhat
Support

Somewhat
Oppose

Strongly
Oppose

No
Answer

Comments

4. Bicycle Locking Facilities

In order for students to ride their bikes to school, they must be confident that there are sufficient and secure facilities for them to lock their bikes on school property. However, the provision of such facilities varies widely from school to school.

Can you describe how much provision there is for locking bikes securely on school property in your ward?
Safety of the bikes is an issue. We know how attractive bikes are usually stolen. The school should provide facilities for bike parking. I will work with other trustees to provide one portable for each school if the principal can demonstrate that a significant number of students are cycling to the school. Parents’ Adversary Council will have to be involved.

Do you support improving these facilities?

Strongly
Support

Somewhat
Support

Somewhat
Oppose

Strongly
Oppose

No
Answer

Comments The best idea that comes to mind is the portable. It will be locked at certain time by the custodial staff and opened at an agreed time. This will prevent others going in there during school time when they ought to me in the classes learning.

Walking

5. The School Vicinity

Issues with the area around schools can make it dangerous or uncomfortable for students to walk or cycle to school. For example, there may be a dangerous street crossing, traffic may move too quickly, there may be excessive car traffic from parents driving kids to school, sidewalks may be inadequate for the volume of walking student, or there may be a lack of bike lanes leading to the school.

Can you describe any issues with the safety and comfort of students walking or cycling in the vicinity of schools in your ward?
Good side walk and designated cycling lanes.

Do you support working with the City of Toronto to address these issues?

Strongly
Support

Somewhat
Support

Somewhat
Oppose

Strongly
Oppose

No
Answer

Comments I would work with my ward councilors to take a lead on this issue.

6. Reducing Car Use

The use of cars to get to and from schools by parents, students, and teachers increases congestion and pollution, and causes danger and discomfort to students and teachers who walk or cycle to school. As well, excessively large school parking lots reduce green space for students and have negative environmental impacts.

Do you support taking measures to reduce the use of cars for transportation to and from school by parents, students, and teachers? If the answer is yes, please describe what measures you would support.

Strongly
Support

Somewhat
Support

Somewhat
Oppose

Strongly
Oppose

No
Answer

Comments Car share is not a new idea. I would survey the parents and teacher to see how comfortable they are with car sharing. There are difficulty with this idea. But when there is a will there is always a way. If the benefit outweighs the hardship people will buy into it.