An environmental scan of active transportation programs in Alberta schools : Summary report, an environmental scan of active transportation programs in Alberta schools

Survey of Alberta Schools The electronic survey was sent out to 1,758 schools across Alberta, addressed to the school principal or a designate, with the following results: • 520 schools opened the survey; • 87 partially completed the survey; and Figure 1 • 397 completed the survey. [...] Please see Figures 3 to 5. Figure 3 Barriers to Students Using Active Transportation to get To and From School The top barriers to active Weather 66% transportation to and from Poor sidewalk or trail conditions 36% Lack of secure bike racks/storage area schools included: 23% Lack of school patrollers 21% • working parents; Liability issues 27% Policy issues 13% • weather; Roads to school hazardous [...] Working parents 71% Unaware of the barriers to active transport 31% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% Figure 4 Facilitators to Students Using Active Transportation to get To and From School The factors that were suggested Neighborhood design 33% to support active transportation included: Traffic control 34% 40% • a sense of personal safety; Sense of personal safety 23% • student participation and Active transpor [...] The purpose of the focus groups was • Identification of safe walking routes to school to discuss the barriers and facilitators • Promotion of resources and initiatives available from the to active transportation to and from SHAPE website Alberta schools, as well as to learn about • Testing of programs and pilot programs that encourage successful progams or initiatives that people to drive less sch [...] The kids walked as • “When it comes to schools, the parents want children to walk…because they can’t take opposed to parking right in front of the school to drive right to the door or as close as they any shortcuts…to walk along the road really and letting the kids out.