As the leaves change colours and the crisp fall air arrives, it’s the perfect time to lace up your walking shoes and enjoy a walk in the neighbourhood.
Active School Travel Peterborough reminds kids and families that the walk to school — even for those who park just outside the school zone and walk a block or two — can turn an okay day into a great one.
More than getting from point A to point B, a daily walk can take the stress of driving out of your school routine, and lead to other co-benefits at once. More exercise, increased quality time, improved focus for learning, increased safety awareness, and cleaner air around schools — the list is long.
In celebration of all these benefits, October is called “Walktober” in communities around the world — a month where we celebrate all the great reasons to get our kids out of their car seats and onto the sidewalk.
Although this campaign encourages families and communities to embrace walking for fun, fitness, and connection, the data also shows that kids who regularly walk to school are more informed about their communities, have better spatial reasoning, and have increased road safety awareness.
Teaching children road safety is a lifelong skill that extends beyond walking. When kids learn the rules of the road at an early age, they are not just becoming safer pedestrians, but also laying the foundation to become responsible cyclists and potential future motorists.
Children who regularly walk or bike to school develop essential road safety skills that will benefit them when they start cycling or driving. By learning the meaning of traffic signals, such as stop signs and pedestrian crossings, and practising habits like looking both ways before crossing the street and making eye contact with drivers, they gain a heightened awareness of their surroundings.
These experiences build their confidence and independence, teaching them to follow traffic laws and make quick, attentive decisions. Additionally, they learn to share the road respectfully with other pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists, which is crucial for their future as safe and responsible drivers.
Walktober is the perfect opportunity to not only enjoy the outdoors but also teach valuable safety skills that will benefit children throughout their lives. In the city of Peterborough, changes have recently been implemented to help motorists be more aware of the vulnerable humans who are walking in their school zones.
Drive Slow Ptbo won council approval and has now been rolled out across the city. This campaign brings awareness to road safety in school areas and has lowered speed limits in school zones across the city.
With the approval of the Transportation Master Plan in 2022, Peterborough committed to using best practices for school safety across Ontario: lowering high-capacity collectors from 50 km/hr to 40 km/hr and local/low-capacity roads from 40 km/hr to 30 km/hr.
A pilot project was also deployed in five schools in each city ward. Engineering measures like pavement markings, road signs, electronic driver feedback signs, and other treatments are being used in these pilot school zones. Road safety measures will be rolled out to remaining school areas following the evaluation of these pilots and as funding permits.
In the meantime, schools are becoming more aware of the benefits of walking, biking, and rolling to school. Local parents are spearheading informal walking trains and bike buses, or deciding to “Park ‘n’ Stride” — park away from the school and finish the journeys on foot.
Walktober is a fantastic opportunity to get kids moving, engage with their community, and lay the groundwork for lifelong health and safety habits. Whether it’s through fun walking activities or essential road safety lessons, walking plays a pivotal role in child development.
By encouraging walking, you’re not only supporting physical activity but also preparing children to be safe, confident, and aware travellers in the years to come. So, get outside, enjoy the beauty of fall, and take steps — literally and figuratively — towards a healthier, safer future for your children.
If you are a parent, educator or administrator who would like support in implementing a seasonal encouragement event or ideas for educational resources and events, reach out to Active School Travel Peterborough at activeshooltravel@greenup.on.ca.
Active School Travel Peterborough brings together community and institutional stakeholders to create and collaborate on programs and projects with a vision of all students having the opportunity to walk, bike, or bus to and from school as a part of their daily school experience.
Check out greenup.on.ca/active-school-travel-peterborough/ to learn more.
