Active School Travel

Students are encouraged to use any form of human-powered transportation — such as walking, cycling, skateboarding, rollerblading, or using mobility aids — to travel to and from school. The City of Windsor’s Active School Travel program supports a culture in which everyday active transportation for students is safe, easy, sustainable, and enjoyable. The initiative aims to educate students and parents about the importance of active school travel, with the goal of improving safety for all and reducing traffic congestion around schools. Where active travel is not feasible, students should be encouraged to take the bus instead of the car, as it is a more sustainable mode of transportation.

Photo Above: Bellewood Public School

Active School Travel Program

The Active School Travel Program includes City staff partnering with schools to promote and encourage active school travel for students. The program consists of working closely with the school principals, and gaining support from teachers, students, and parents.

Program Initiatives:

• September: Active school travel brochure provided to school and pre-program hands-up classroom surveys conducted
• October: International Walk to School Month graphic provided to school and walkability/bikeability assessment conducted
• November: Active school travel promotion given to Parent Council and one-week classroom surveys conducted
• January: School zone and school crossing safety notices provided to parents/guardians and one-day parent/guardian surveys conducted
• February: Active school travel activity sheets provided to students and a custom-made walking zone map provided to school
• March: Crossing guard appreciation day activity provided to students and in-class presentations given to grades 3 and 4 classes
• April: Spring into spring activity provided to grades 3 and 4 classes and swag bags distributed to students who travel to school actively
• May: Bike mural activity provided to grades 7 and 8 classes and one-week classroom surveys conducted
• June: Program results and Certificate of Completion presented at end-of-year assembly and program feedback collected

"Walk and Wheel to School Safely" Education Video by Bellewood Public School:

Participating Schools:

The program began as a pilot for the 2023–2024 school year for the following schools:

• Talbot Trail Public School

"The project was fantastic. The feedback I've heard from teachers and students and the community has been positive. There was evidence of better understanding about active transportation and its benefits, and we had increases in walking and biking." - Talbot Trail Principal

For the 2024–2025 school year, the following schools participated in the program:

• Northwood Public School
• Bellewood Public School

Also, there's an opportunity for friendly competitions between schools participating during the same period, with a chance to win a prize!

Benefits of Active School Travel

• Decreased traffic congestion
• Decreased traffic pollution
• Safer school zones
• Increased physical activity for students
• Increased academic performance by students
• Supports physical and mental health for students

Monthly Resources

September

• Back to school: Active school travel brochure

October

• International Walk to School Month
• Walkability/Bikeability Assessment

November

• Active school travel promotion

January

• Educational tips for parents/guardians: school zone safety and school crossing safety notice

February

• Walk to School Day - February 5
• Active school travel activity sheet

March

• Crossing Guard Appreciation Day activity - March 23

April

• Spring into spring activity: school safety zone I-spy card

May

• What does active school travel mean to you? - bike mural activity

June

• Bike month: CAA Cycling Tips
• Bike to School Week and Crossing Guard Appreciation Week Cards - June 2 to 6

Additional Resources

• To find education on school-related signage, please visit the School-Related Signage web page.
• To find school locations within the city of Windsor and school-related information, such as crossing guard locations, school parking limits, and reduced-speed zones, please visit My School Neighbourhood Windsor web page via the MappMyCity website.
• For information on cycling facilities within the city of Windsor, please visit the Cycle Windsor web page.
• For information on community safety zones, please see the Community Safety Zone Policy.
• For information on crossing guards, please visit the Crossing Guards web page.
• For information on Active School Travel in Ontario, please visit the Ontario Active School Travel website.

Ensuring safe school zones and the well-being of residents remains a key priority. The City continues to work closely with collaborators and strengthen partnerships to enhance awareness; share vital information; and encourage active, sustainable modes of transportation — recognizing that road safety is a shared responsibility and a core community value.

Transportation Services

1266 McDougall Street
Windsor, Ontario, Canada, N8X 3M7

Hours of Operation: Monday to Friday (excluding holidays) 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For general information, please call 311. For detailed inquiries, or to request your school to be added to the upcoming schools list for the City of Windsor's Active School Travel Program, please contact 311@citywindsor.ca via email.