Active Transportation

In our region, on-road transportation is our community’s greatest source of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGe).

According to a recent CRD-led school transportation study, almost half of all students in the capital region are currently driven to school—and with the majority of those trips under three kilometers—there is significant opportunity for more of our region’s youngest residents to walk and wheel more often.

Active travel can help reduce emissions, improve air quality and reduce future climate change impacts. School communities also see safer streets with lower traffic volumes, meaning less time spent in the drop off line up for families who cannot walk and wheel.

Hosting a Walk & Wheel to School event is an easy way for the region’s schools to encourage their students to build physical activity into their daily routine, increase their sense of community belonging, model safe travel habits, encourage environmental stewardship and reduce their family’s carbon footprint.

When we walk and wheel to school, at home, or wherever we need to go, everyone can enjoy the Benefits of Active Travel [PDF/145KB].

Walking and Wheeling to School:

• is fun and good for your health and the environment
• builds physical activity into kids' daily routine
• supports in-class concentration
• reduces traffic volumes and congestion
• reduces greenhouse gas emissions
• reduces personal transportation costs
• reduces or delays infrastructure costs
• enhances community connectedness

Walk & Wheel has traditionally been a week-long event but your school can choose to celebrate walking and wheeling however works best for you. Check out our Walk & Wheel to School Activity Guidebook [PDF/860KB] for ideas on how to host your own event and celebrate active travel at your school.

There are many fun and inclusive ways to celebrate walking and wheeling to school!

• School announcements - offer trivia and daily facts about the benefits of walking and wheeling during the morning announcements using information provided in the Walk & Wheel to School Activity Guidebook [PDF/860KB].
• Celebration Station - Set-up a Celebration Station at your school by displaying student-made visual art, photos and/or short stories which celebrate the Benefits of Active Travel. [PDF/145KB]
• Neighbourhood walks - invite all educators to take students out into the neighbourhood on a guided walk. Consider having students complete a curriculum-based learning exercise or try any of the free, CRD active travel learning resources.
• Walk and Wheel Rodeo - There is no better time to learn outside! Host a bike rodeo or a bike parade where learning groups can decorate their rides and wheel together through an on-site obstacle course or alternatively, through the neighbourhood.

Other Active Travel Resources and Programs:

• Ready Step Roll - an 18 month active school travel planning program. Each year the CRD funds and develops travel plans for up to five schools in the capital region.
• Active Travel Learning Resources - visit this page for the full list of available resources for school communities and families learning from home.
• CRD Bike Map - find the best route for your commute within the region with the CRD Bike Map. Updated annually and available online or in print.
• Drive To 5 Toolkit [PDF/151KB] - encourages parents to drop-off their children at designated locations within a 5-minute safe and comfortable walk to school. Families can "park and stroll" to school or "kiss and go", allowing their children to walk independently with others.
• ICBC Walk & Wheel lesson plans - materials and lesson plans for students to learn about walking and wheeling safety in class.
• Climate Action To-Go Kits - include tools and activities to tune up a bike or track steps while learning about local active transportation routes.
• Go By Bike Week - this bi-annual FREE event (formerly Bike to Work Week) encourages anyone in the capital region to give cycling a try for one week. Register now for Fall Go By Bike Week (October 3 - 9, 2022).

Eligibility

Walk and Wheel to School is open to K-12 schools (public and independent) in the capital region. All educators in the region can access our Walk & Wheel to School Activity Guidebook [PDF/860KB] to help plan and run their event.

Deadlines

There is no deadline and no need to register, schools (or individual classrooms) can access resources throughout the school year to run an event whenever it is convenient for them.