1. The Green Communities Association Safe Routes to School (SRTS)- Towards Sustainability How do we move SRTS, and other similar ‘soft’ initiatives, to the top of the public agenda so they become the new ‘norm’?

2. The Green Communities Association Benefits of walking: Easy, efficient and cost- effective – almost everyone can do it Helps to build and maintain healthy bones and muscles Boosts cardiovascular fitness Helps maintain a healthy body weight Leads to more energy

3. The Green Communities Association There is a need to: Reduce air pollution from the transportation sector by replacing short, local trips with active transportation Encourage Canadians to reduce their personal climate change emissions Increase daily physical activity levels in children and the population in general Make our communities safer by reducing traffic injuries, especially for child pedestrians and cyclists

4. The Green Communities Association Barriers to walking: Lack of pedestrian friendly infrastructure Traffic volume and speeds Noise and smells from traffic Weather Driving has become a habit – people no longer make a choice Time – everyone is in a rush today Convenience – a myth

5. The Green Communities Association “Whilst there are reasons for reducing car use by children which apply to trips by any users (reducing environmental pollution, reducing congestion, and so on), there are other reasons for encouraging children to walk and cycle, mainly to do with their health. Increased physical activity by children can bring various health benefits either in childhood or in later life, including reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, obesity and osteoporosis, and enhanced mental health and quality of life (Health Education Authority, 1997, Sustrans, undated).” “The Effectiveness of Initiatives to Reduce Children’s Car Use”, written by Roger L Mackett, Lindsey Lucas, James Paskins and Jill Turbin of the Centre for Transport Studies, at University College London for the European Transport Conference, held in Strasbourg, France, October 2003

6. The Green Communities Association Benefits of SRTS: Reduces local trips Reduces local air pollution Mitigates climate change impacts Reduces traffic congestion around schools Some evidence that physically active children get better grades Gives some freedom and choice of mobility to children

7. The Green Communities Association Benefits of SRTS continued: Promotes fitness and health Increases community safety – ‘eyes on the street’ Teaches children important road safety skills Children can become more familiar with their neighbourhood – easier to recognize when strangers are present Allows participants to experience ‘a vision of possibility’ Can lead to longer term behaviour change Reduces stress – makes people ‘feel good’

8. The Green Communities Association Examples of good ideas that have become an accepted norm, and benefit the public: Non-smoking bylaws Recycling Ontario’s RIDE program Parent Safety Program or kiss’ n ’ride

9. The Green Communities Association If it’s safe for kids, it’s safe for everyone

10. The Green Communities Association www.saferoutestoschool.ca