The Stepping It Up pilot project is led by Metrolinx in partnership
with the Region of Peel, the City of Hamilton, Green Communities Canada,
and the University of Toronto, with funding from Transport Canada's
ecoMOBILITY program.
The project will focus ’ on
identifying the possibilities for enhancing and encouraging use of
active and sustainable travel options for students and staff, such as
walking, cycling, and carpooling. Stepping It Up began rolling out
school-based activities at participating elementary schools in fall
2009. By the pilot project’s end in December 2011, 30 schools will be
participating.
Take the First Step
Hear what elementary school students have to say about the benefits
of being active on the trip to and from school - watch the
Stepping It
Up video: Kids Say Walking to School Is Healthy, Fun and Good for the
Environment. A Teacher's Guide for classrooms is also available to accompany this
video resource.
Learn more from the experts about how schools and communities can
come together to support active school travel through school travel
planning, and about the benefits these efforts can bring - watch the
Stepping It Up video: How to Get Active on the Trip to School Through
School Travel Planning.
Study Results
Metrolinx conducted a Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area-wide school
travel study of 1,000 parents and guardians in fall 2009. The
study highlighted
that:
- There is room for a shift toward active school travel. Nearly 60 per
cent of children being driven live within 2 km of their school.
- Children are capable of walking the distance. Nearly 60 per cent of
parents say their child’s school is close enough that they could
reasonably walk or bike.
- Many parents are open to change. Over 50 per cent of parents whose
child is currently driven see the option of walking/biking to school as
convenient and appealing.
Stepping It Up will help address issues of sustainability, climate
change, personal and traffic safety, air pollution, and health by
promoting more walkable environments in and around schools. Project
activities use a collaborative, community-based approach involving
school boards, municipalities, police, public health professionals,
transportation providers and professionals, parents, educators, and
children.
