Active & Safe Routes to School

Active & Safe Routes to School (ASRTS)
Active and Safe Routes to School in Waterloo Region is a collective effort among organizations and individuals to create supportive environments that support children and families in choosing active school travel (e.g. walking, cycling, etc.)..

Why Active Transportation?

• Improve fitness and heart health
• Increase academic achievement
• Provide social opportunities
• Reduce stress
• Improve air quality and reduce the risk of lung disease
• Reduce traffic congestion around schools
• Improve pedestrian safety
• Reduce vehicle emissions

Initiatives

Walking School Bus:
Adult or older student volunteers walk a route, picking up children along the walk and take them to school

STEP IN – Weekly Walk & Roll Program:
Schools are encouraged to set aside one day a week to remind students to get to school actively. Register your school to gain access to valuable resources.

Walk to School Days/Weeks:

• iWalk (International Walk to School Week/Day): An annual event in October to promote walking to school. Prizes are awarded for schools that choose to participate.
• Winter Walk to School Day: One day every February is set aside to promote walking to school. This day is usually paired with Crossing Guard Appreciation Day. Prizes are awarded for schools that choose to participate.
• Spring Walk to School Day: One day every spring is set aside to promote walking to school. This often coincides with Earth Week. Prizes are awarded for schools that choose to participate.

Walking Buddies: 
Older students are partnered with younger students to walk to school.

School Travel Planning:
A comprehensive process that involves researching and assessing the barriers to active school travel to develop and implement action plans.

Walking School Bus Leader/Student Safety Patroller Training:
With the help of Waterloo Region Police Service, students are trained as leaders and standing patrollers. This training program is currently under review to determine how to better support schools wanting to offer a walking school bus program.

Active Transportation Charter

WCDSB recognizes the importance of active transportation. The Board of Trustees approved an Active Transportation Charter on May 16, 2011. The Charter is a statement of principles that recognizes the value of active modes of transportation for the journey to and from school. Learn more about the charter at the Active Transportation Charter FAQ page.

How to get your school involved

Sign up for the STEP-IN Weekly Walk & Roll Program.

Contact:

ASRTS Waterloo Region

The ASRTS programs at Waterloo Region schools are supported by the ASRTS Workgroup of Waterloo Region
which consists of partners from:

• Region of Waterloo
• City of Waterloo
• City of Kitchener
• City of Cambridge
• Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region
• Waterloo Region District School Board
• Waterloo Catholic District School Board
• Ministry of Transportation

For more information:

Active Transportation (Region of Waterloo – Information and Resources for Parents)

Active & Safe Routes to School (Region of Waterloo – Information and Resources for Schools)

Active & Safe Routes to School by Green Communities Canada

Metrolinx School Travel Infographics