Active School Travel Signs Installed In Brant County

Thursday, 8 October 2020 08:30

The signs are installed near three pilot schools in the County and will provide the community with estimated waiting times it will take you to walk or cycle to school from the designated sign areas.

BRANT COUNTY - Active School Travel signs have been installed around three pilot schools in Brant County.

Mayor David Bailey says improving kids' physical activity is among the things this new program intends to do.

“Encouraging children’s physical activity, enjoying more time outside and reducing our carbon footprint are all important objectives of this new walk or cycle to school program."

The County is encouraging families to get involved and get active in honour of International Walk to School Month (IWALK) and IWALK Day on October 7th.

Community Development Coordinator of Engagement and Social Programming for Brant County, Jake Cerson says the community will benefit from the program.

“We are very excited for families to use the Active School Travel Signs. The signs will provide the community with estimated times it will take you to walk or cycle to school from the designated sign areas.”

The Ontario Active School Travel, a program of Green Communities Canada (GCC), is a supporter of the newly installed signs. The signs offer a variety of benefits including healthier children, less traffic and pollution, safer school zones and better academic performance.

You can learn more information on Ontario Active School Travel here.

Cerson says families can use the signs for different purposes.

“We encourage all families to utilize the signs. Driving families can use the signs as a drop off site, allowing students to walk the rest of the way to school. For safety purposes, younger children should be accompanied by an adult or a group of older children when walking or cycling to school. ”

The signs have been installed near Northward Public School, Cobblestone Elementary and Sacred Heart School.

The Active School Travel in Brant projects team has paired up with multiple partners including the County, the City of Brantford and the Brant County Health Unit. The Grand Erie District School Board and Student Transportation Services Brant Haldimand Norfolk are among the other partners involved.

Manager of Transportation Services for Student Transportation Services Brant Haldimand Norfolk, Phillip Kuckyt says their partnerships have led to great results in the community.

“The partnership between the school boards and the County of Brant has led to some great initiatives at our pilot sites. We are thrilled with the progress we have been able to make in the community for the students and families who are looking to actively travel to and from school.”

You can visit here for more information on the County of Brant Active School Travel signs and location maps.