Walking School Bus pilot project launched at eight Ottawa schools

News • Posted by OttawaStart on October 06, 2014

Ottawa Public Health (OPH), in partnership with the Ottawa School Transportation Authority (OSTA), the Ottawa Safety Council and Green Communities Canada, have launched the Walking School Bus pilot project at eight schools across Ottawa.

 The 12-week pilot project offers a daily Walking School Bus for the morning trip to school on weekdays from September 29 to December 19. Like adult crossing guards, each Walking School Bus leader is screened, trained, supervised and paid by the Ottawa Safety Council. The Walking School Bus project offers a safe, convenient, healthy and fun way for children to travel to school.

The eight participating Ottawa schools were selected for their demonstrated commitment to promoting walking to school: Convent Glen Elementary School, Corpus Christi Elementary School, Henry Larsen Public School, Hilson Avenue Public School, Robert Bateman Public School, St. Gabriel Elementary School, Steve MacLean Public School and Woodroffe Avenue Public School.

According to the Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute, only 28 per cent of Canadian children walk to school, compared to 58 per cent one generation ago. Numerous studies have shown that walking to school helps students arrive at school ready to learn and better able to concentrate.

The Walking School Bus project makes active transportation a part of children’s routines, which also helps promote healthy and active habits in their teen and adult years. In 2013, only 24 per cent of grade 7 to 12 students in Ottawa reported having been physically active for 60 minutes per day, as recommended by the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines for youth. With more children being driven to school, traffic and child safety issues have become chronic at many school sites.

For more information about the Walking School Bus project, visit ottawaschoolbus.ca. For more information about school active transportation, visit ottawa.ca/health, or call the OPH Information Line at 613-580-6744 (TTY: 613-580-9656). You can also connect with OPH on Facebook, Twitter(@ottawahealth), Tumblr or Pinterest.