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?
I do not have access to that information yet. But based on observation at my local schools I would say fewer than 50% walk or cycle.

Do you support taking measures to increase this number?

Strongly
Support

Somewhat
Support

Somewhat
Oppose

Strongly
Oppose

No
Answer

Comments My hesitation is based solely on practicality, if a school is a significant distance away parents need to have the option of busing or carpooling

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 believe the extent and effectiveness of programs like this differs widely school by school.

Do you support increasing the extent of this teaching?

Strongly
Support

Somewhat
Support

Somewhat
Oppose

Strongly
Oppose

No
Answer

Comments I see too many near misses each day with children on the way to/from school

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?
Unknown

Do you support increasing their availability?

Strongly
Support

Somewhat
Support

Somewhat
Oppose

Strongly
Oppose

No
Answer

Comments I would like to see the cycling courses be made available to families through the school system – it is such good exercise
and a healthy family activity, but we need to be safe while cycling.

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?
Again, it varies from school to school.

Do you support improving these facilities?

Strongly
Support

Somewhat
Support

Somewhat
Oppose

Strongly
Oppose

No
Answer

Comments I think many schools discourage bike riding because of the potential danger. Perhaps only children who have taken a safety course should be allowed to ride – they get a sticker for their bike (like a license), the sticker gives them a parking space!

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?
Ward 5 is so big and diverse, some schools are at major intersections (Bathurst and Finch) while others are in very quiet residential neighbourhoods – you can’t measure this by Ward.

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 say somewhat support because I would not like to see all of the effort being vested in the City of Toronto, a lot needs to be done with the schools, the PTAs and neighborhoods. If streets need traffic calming before bike riding can be
advocated, then the neighbourhood needs to be involved first. You need a sensible multifaceted approach.

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 Again, a sweeping statement of this kind does not take into consideration the options and alternatives – reducing car use should be the goal of Items 1 – 6. Obviously I support the reduction of car use, but everything else needs to be in place first. As for measures, I would support paid parking at schools – perhaps reducing the parking fee for organized car pools.