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?
Most of the children I see going to school take public transit (secondary school students) or are driven to school by their parents (elementary school students). A fair number of students walk, although less frequently than taking the bus or car. A very small portion of students cycle.

Do you support taking measures to increase this number?

Strongly
Support

Somewhat
Support

Somewhat
Oppose

Strongly
Oppose

No
Answer

Comments There are many things we can do – including ensuring there are bicycle racks at all schools. Storage for skateboards and roller blades should also be offered and their use for travelling to school should also be encouraged. We can also propose a pilot project at secondary schools to offer bicycles on loan (owned by the board and offered to students on loan) to use to and from school. Talking to parents to encourage walking as a healthy and more environmentally friendly alternative to cars should also be pursued (through materials sent to parents, information sessions, and joint learning opportunities for families).

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?
Although basic walking safety is taught (such as, looking both ways, watching out for cars, think before you act), the environmental and health benefits of walking are often neglected.

Do you support increasing the extent of this teaching?

Strongly
Support

Somewhat
Support

Somewhat
Oppose

Strongly
Oppose

No
Answer

Comments The best way to teach and encourage walking is through practical sessions. Schools should be encouraged to organize field trips that involve walking in parks or places of interest that involve entertaining teaching methods integrating walking safety.

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?
I am aware of safety courses offered regarding helmets and responsible cycling and sharing the road with other vehicles – however, these courses are often limited and infrequent and are brief discussions on basic skills and safety. I am also aware of some programs offered at community centres, but these are not offered at all them.

Do you support increasing their availability?

Strongly
Support

Somewhat
Support

Somewhat
Oppose

Strongly
Oppose

No
Answer

Comments The School Board should offer instructional courses at all schools that teach defensive cycling and how to make yourself visible to other road users. Responsible biking must be promoted with interactive and extensive courses that go beyond quick information sessions on helmet use and basic skills. Courses should be taught in modules from basic to advanced in co-operation with community centres to ensure all students have access to cycling courses. Finally, this should be complimented with brochures sent to parents so they are aware about responsible cycling and how to share the road with cyclists. Courses could be organized as field trips, where students bring bikes (or use school bikes if they do not own one) and learn skills while practicing with supervision on the road and in parks with cycle paths.

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?
Very poor.

Do you support improving these facilities?

Strongly
Support

Somewhat
Support

Somewhat
Oppose

Strongly
Oppose

No
Answer

Comments All schools should offer a safe place to store bicycles as a way to promote cycling to school. Without incentives, such as a secure place to park your bike, cycling to school will not increase.

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?
Davenport has very limited cycle paths, especially on main roads (Caledonia, Rogers, St. Clair, Dufferin, etc).

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

Strongly
Support

Somewhat
Support

Somewhat
Oppose

Strongly
Oppose

No
Answer

Comments The Board should work with the City of Toronto to identify key paths that can be created that serve schools directly to encourage cycling to school. The Board should also work with the City to ensure secure bicycle racks are available near schools.

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 One effective initiative that I witnessed was at a Catholic elementary school in Davenport to prevent parents from using cars. Access to a driveway at the front of the school was removed. More and more parents are walking with children to school. Limiting places to park, as a disincentive to driving to work, is one option; however, this must be complimented with education on the benefits and safety of cycling and walking, as well as creating secure places to park bikes and cycle paths serving to schools.