For parents and guardians

Walking to school can help your child:

• Feel confident to make their own decisions.
• Feel connected to friends and the natural environment.
• Learn road and traffic safety skills.
• Create good habits for an active lifestyle.

Begin by walking with your child through park trails and quiet streets with slower traffic, sidewalks, and safe places to cross the road.

While walking, consistently remind your child to:

• Keep looking and listening as they cross.
• Stop, listen, and look all ways.
• Make their intentions known to others.
• Never push or shove near traffic.
• Pay attention to what's going on around them.

When your child is mature enough and consistently doing the following action, consider letting them walk to school with friends or on their own.

Safe walking essentials

When walking on roads or trails

• Walk on the sidewalk (if there is one), even if it's only on one side of the road.
• Walk on the road facing traffic when there are no sidewalks.
• Walk to the right of a trail to let faster pedestrians and cyclists to pass.
• Check for vehicles exiting and entering driveways.
• Wait for suitable gap in the traffic flow before crossing the road.

When crossing at intersections

• Press the push button (if there is one) and waiting for the walk signal.
• Look at vehicles to make sure they’ve stopped and can see you.
• Do not start to cross when the orange hand is already flashing.

When crossing with no stop sign or signal

• Only cross midblock if there is no stop sign, signal, or marked crossing nearby.
• Look in all directions before crossing.
• Wait for suitable gap in the traffic flow before crossing the road.
• Stay visible: walk upright to be seen.

Walking the route to school

• Walk in a group with others (family members or neighbors).
• Know the route to and from school.
• Know what to do if approached by a stranger.

Walking with children

Walking with your children is a great way to keep them active and to let them explore different trails and neighbourhoods.

Hot or cold weather is no reason to avoid taking your kids outside! A bit of planning and being properly dressed makes walking not only doable, but enjoyable for everyone.

Remember, since kids spend 30 minutes or more outside at school, they'll already be properly dressed while enjoying the fresh air.

Cycling is a lifelong activity. Teaching children good cycling habits from an early age like following the rules of the road and wearing a helmet helps kids stay safe.

Learning to cycle to school - ages 5 to 10

Ensure your child has a properly fitted helmet. Avoid buying used helmets, as damage may not always be visible.

Start on quiet routes to give younger children their first taste of cycling independently and build confidence

If the wheels on your child's bike are less than 20 inches (50 cm), your child can ride on sidewalks, and you can walk alongside. You can also plan routes through parks and trails for a low-stress ride.

Tips for independent cycling

• Start with a tandem or a long-tail cargo bike so your child can ride some of the way.
• Teach your child to pedal and use the coaster (foot) brakes as they begin to ride faster.
• Make sure that your child's bike fits well. Kids grow fast, so consider buying a used bike in good condition from a store with a trade-in program.
• Organize a bike train: A bike train is a group of parents, guardians, and children cycling together, with adults rotating to act as ride leaders. It's a fun, low-stress way to start cycling to school and to get to know other parents in your neighbourhood.

Cycling to school - ages 9 to 13

At around 9 years old, most children are ready to learn to ride on quiet streets.

Begin by cycling with your child regularly to help make sure they have the skills to ride independently for short trips to school or local stores.

As you ride together, notice how comfortable they are starting out, stopping, and cycling in a straight line.

Observe your child to see if they:

• Start with one foot on the ground and one foot on a pedal, 3/4 of the way up
• Push off with the ground foot
• Push down with the pedal foot to start pedaling
• Always use both brakes
• Squeeze the brakes gently
• Put one foot on the ground and leave the other foot on the pedal

The "Safe travel trips to school" webinar provides travel tips for your daily journey to school.

The "Active, Safe, and Healthy" webinar is for parents and caregivers of children Kindergarten to Grade 8 attending school in Peel Region and includes presentations from Student Transportation of Peel Region, Peel Regional Police, Peel District School Board, and Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board.

Our 4 "Walk & Bike to School in Peel" videos demonstrate how parents and children can commute to school in a healthy and safe way.

The "Walk to School TED Talk" by urban planner Jennifer Keesmaat highlights all the amazing benefits for children walking to school.