Rationale

Physical Activity/Health

Ninety-three percent of children and youth are not meeting Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines. Declining activity levels are linked to obesity, illness and chronic diseases (i.e., cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer). Global Recommendations on Physical Activity for Health.

In addition, poor air quality in spaces where children spend a lot of time can contribute to lung disease and asthma. Globally, more people are dying of overweight than underweight. Health Effects of Air Pollution

Using active transportation for the school journey is one of the easiest ways for students to get regular daily physical activity and to reduce their behaviours. Active Healthy Kids Canada 2011 Report Card

Did you know that distances up to 5 km are traveled more quickly door-to door by bicycle than by car? Air Pollution and Active Transportation.

See these related papers for additional details on children’s health in Canada:

• Trends in the Health of Canadian Youth
• Young People in Canada – Their Health and Well-being

Safety

• Traffic Safety: Nearly everyone who spends their day at a school aims to arrive and leave within the same two ten minute periods each day. The Active Healthy Kids Canada 2011 Report Card states 42% of children are driven to school, causing chaos and slowed driving times for cars and dangerous situations for children who use active school travel. In fact, 50% of collisions involving children are hit by cars driven by parents of students. Then and Now - Barriers and Solutions
• Active & Safe Routes to School aims to reduce traffic congestion around schools through strategies such as School Travel Planning; provides opportunities to teach children road safety skills; and empowers parents to advocate for best routes to schools.
• Personal Safety: According to Then and Now - Barriers and Solutions, Child abductions have decreased over the past 30 years, yet fears of violent crimes against children stop parents from allowing them to use active travel. Parental fears of bullying may add to apprehension, resulting in restrictions on children’s independent mobility.
• Active & Safe Routes to School initiatives ensure children are not travelling alone and they create more “eyes on the street” to deter dangers.

Convenience & Time

• Many children arrive at school in a flurry, having rushed through breakfast, dressed hastily and been raced to school in the family vehicle. Parents argue they don’t have the time to walk or that it’s simply more convenient to drop off or pick up their child on the way to work.
• In fact, distances up to 5 km are traveled more quickly door-to door by bicycle than by car and it takes a medium-speed walker about fifteen minutes to walk a full kilometre. Managing time to allow for the walk or bike ride to school will become a habit that leads to children arriving on time, refreshed and energized for the school day. Air Pollution and Active Transportation

Environment

• Traffic congestion and idling vehicles in and around school zones adds to air pollution in child-centric spaces. Children are most vulnerable to the effects of air pollution, breathing in three times more air per body weight than adults. Asthma is now one of the most prevalent childhood respiratory diseases, with incidents doubling in the last 15 years. The Ontario Medical Association states that poor air quality is costing the Ontario economy over $9 billion annually, which includes health care costs and lost work time and these medical issues also cause school absenteeism.
• Active & Safe Routes to School works to reduce vehicle use, thereby reducing toxic air emissions and greenhouse gases. Eliminating just four short trips per week can reduce emissions by up to 100 kg of carbon dioxide per year. Families that participate in active travel to school, as in a Walking School Bus can prevent almost 1,000 kg of carbon dioxide per year and save money in fuel costs as well. Creating idle-free school zones can also improve local air quality.