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 cannot, with honesty answer your question. But, these are my thoughts on the subject: For the primary School children none, unless they are of walking distance of the school and, at least, one of the parents takes the child/children to the school. For the secondary, I can tell you that I live across Oakwood Collegiate and I see very few bicycles there. There are more cars on the parking lot than bicycles; I’m assuming that most of those cars belong to the teachers. Teachers should encourage their students to use public transit or bicycles as good means of transportation. Teachers must set an example and they too should use public transportation or bicycles.

Do you support taking measures to increase this number?

Strongly
Support

Somewhat
Support

Somewhat
Oppose

Strongly
Oppose

No
Answer

Comments I’m in favor of using public transportation as a mater of principal. Therefore, if I’m elected, I would encourage the teachers to set an example and asking them of going to school using either public transportation or bicycling. Students seen what their teacher do, may be encourage to do the same.

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?
When my children used to go to primary school, I do remember that when they were in grade 7 or 8, they became guides and help children to cross the street with their parents. This is the first step that children learn safety rules when are walking the streets. I’m not so sure if this is done today or this program has been eliminated.

Do you support increasing the extent of this teaching?

Strongly
Support

Somewhat
Support

Somewhat
Oppose

Strongly
Oppose

No
Answer

Comments

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?
As far as I know during my children’s education at primary and secondary level, there were no courses on bicycling.If the program exists it seems to me a great idea.

Do you support increasing their availability?

Strongly
Support

Somewhat
Support

Somewhat
Oppose

Strongly
Oppose

No
Answer

Comments The idea it looks to me very good. There are some problems, just to mention a few: Repair and maintenance, storage, security, helmets, etc. those are added cost to the acquisition of bicycles and its components. There’s a need for farther study and the school board has to find out the total cost of the program. Consultations with the parents is a must and, perhaps the board may request some parents involvement in the program.

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 locks should be provided for the students to secure their bicycles.

Do you support improving these facilities?

Strongly
Support

Somewhat
Support

Somewhat
Oppose

Strongly
Oppose

No
Answer

Comments For the program to succeed there’s a need for parent involvement. The Board, in a sense, can not be responsible for damages or acts of vandalism against private property. Nevertheless, the Board should make an effort to protect equipment, in this case bicycles that belongs to the students and teachers.

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?
The safety of the children is paramount for the success of any school year. At the Oakwood Collegiate I have seen that some cars do not pay much attention when children are crossing the street either walking or by bicycling.

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 area in which the schools are located have to be protected. There’s no sufficient a single sign in which the deriver of a vehicle has to reduce speed from 50 Km to 40 as its stands now. Policing the area during in and outs of the school, is a good idea. There’s lot of work to be done on the issue of safety, therefore, I’m prepared to work with the City and to study the possibility of creating bicycle zones in areas around the 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