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?
There are 36 schools in Ward 22 as I am not the incumbent trustee I do not currently have access to that data. However from observation of the schools that I am familiar with I would say the proportion of children that walk or bike to school should be much higher.

Do you support taking measures to increase this number?

Strongly
Support

Somewhat
Support

Somewhat
Oppose

Strongly
Oppose

No
Answer

Comments As Chair of the TDSB Parents’ Environmental Network, one of my goals in working with parents was to help create an awareness of the importance of walking to school – we hosted a meeting with Jacky Kennedy of Active and Safe Routes to School. Programs such as this need to be encouraged at a board-wide level.

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?
Again, I am not that familiar with which schools may have the program. I understand that the walking school bus and walking Wednesdays are programs that are encouraged in may schools and that the safety element is emphasized.

Do you support increasing the extent of this teaching?

Strongly
Support

Somewhat
Support

Somewhat
Oppose

Strongly
Oppose

No
Answer

Comments Not necessarily another task for teachers but a good role for partnerships with the community.

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?
Not known

Do you support increasing their availability?

Strongly
Support

Somewhat
Support

Somewhat
Oppose

Strongly
Oppose

No
Answer

Comments

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?

Do you support improving these facilities?

Strongly
Support

Somewhat
Support

Somewhat
Oppose

Strongly
Oppose

No
Answer

Comments

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?
Bike lanes are non-existent in this area. Most schools are suburban on normally streets but it is the high volume of kids being driven to school that causes the problem. I also know that in terms of biking to school there are often concerns at the admin level about liability issues around biking and theft of bicycles.

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

Strongly
Support

Somewhat
Support

Somewhat
Oppose

Strongly
Oppose

No
Answer

Comments

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 Need to encourage the health benefits of walking from a fitness perspective for all those who are able and within a reasonable distance to school.Perhaps reducing the TTC student rate even further for high school students and adding more buses could also help.