Active school travel (AST) is encouraged at all York Region District School Board schools. Pilot programs have been implemented in the City of Markham, Town of Newmarket and the City of Vaughan to support and encourage students and families to use more active forms of transportation when travelling to and from school daily.
Markham Active School Travel Pilot
The Markham Active School Travel Pilot launched in spring 2019 and was made possible through funding from Ontario Active School Travel, a program of Green Community Canada, the City of Markham and York Region. The pilot involved a partnership between York Region District School Board, York Catholic District School Board, City of Markham and York Region.
Initiatives to encourage active school travel at the pilot schools included:
- weekly walking programs
- participation in events such as IWALK, Winter Walk Day and Bike to School Week
- communications to schools, families and students on the benefits of AST and opportunities for students/families to participate in AST
- bicycle education
- customized wayfinding signage
- interactive sidewalk stencils to create a more enjoyable walk to school
- classroom competitions
- group walks to help build family connections
- rraffic enhancements: zebra crossing, restricted on-street pick-up and drop-off activity, painted curb lines to reinforce restricted zones, school zone road stencils
- Kiss & Ride loop closures once a week
- School Streets test pilot (closure of road) May 2022
York Region District School Board
- Castlemore P.S.
- Coppard Glen P.S.
- David Suzuki P.S.
- John McCrae P.S.
- Legacy P.S.
- Randall P.S.
- Stonebridge P.S.
York Catholic District School Board
- All Saints C.E.S.
School Streets
A School Streets test pilot involves the temporary road closure of streets in front of schools during peak school drop-off and pick-up times. This creates a car-free zone that aims to facilitate a safer environment for active school travel by restricting traffic during peak times.
York Region’s first School Streets test pilot took place at John McCrae P.S. in the City of Markham in May 2022. The street adjacent to John McCrae P.S. (Stricker Ave) was closed during peak periods for four consecutive Wednesdays with limited access during the School Streets closure in the morning and afternoon.
For more information visit www.markham.ca/activeschooltravel.
Newmarket Active School Travel Pilot
The Newmarket Active School Travel Pilot launched in fall 2021 and will continue for the 2022-23 school year. The pilot is a partnership between York Region District School Board, York Catholic District School Board, Town of Newmarket, Smart Commute Central York, and York Region.
Initiatives to encourage active school travel at the pilot schools include:
- weekly walking program
- participation in events such as IWALK, Winter Walk Day and Bike to School Week
- communications to schools, families and students on the benefits of AST and opportunities for students/families to participate in AST
- customized wayfinding signage
- interactive sidewalk stencils to create a more enjoyable walk to school
- traffic enhancements: Red Painted Curbs and signage to create no stopping zones directly adjacent to the school, school zone road stencils
For more information visit www.newmarket.ca/activeschooltravel.
York Region District School Board
- Alexander Muir P.S.
- Maple Leaf P.S.
- Prince Charles P.S.
- Stonehaven E.S.
York Catholic District School Board
- Notre Dame C.E.S.
- St. Elizabeth Seton C.E.S.
Vaughan Active School Travel Pilot
The Vaughan Active School Travel Pilot launched in May 2022 and will continue for the 2022/23 school year. The pilot is a partnership between York Region District School Board, York Catholic District School Board, City of Vaughan, York Regional Police, and York Region.
Active school travel is part of the City’s MoveSmart Mobility Management Strategy, which focuses on improving municipal road networks, enhancing road safety and supporting more cycling and pedestrian infrastructure to create fully connected and integrated communities.
Initiatives to encourage active school travel at the pilot schools include:
- weekly walking program
- participation in events such as IWALK, Winter Walk Day and Bike to School Week
- communications to schools, families and students on the benefits of AST and opportunities for students/families to participate in AST
- customized wayfinding signage
- traffic enhancements: community-specific traffic calming measures
For more information visit www.vaughan.ca/activeschooltravel.
York Region District School Board
- Anne Frank P.S.
- Johnny Lombardi P.S.
- Lorna Jackson P.S.
- Viola Desmond P.S.
- Yorkhill E.S.
York Catholic District School Board
- Guardian Angles C.E.S.
- Pope Francis C.E.S.
- St. Stephen C.E.S