Active, Safe, and Sustainable Transportation
Transportation has an impact on the environment, our health, the economy, and society. Cars use mostly non-renewable fuels and emit greenhouse gasses and air pollutants. Public transit vehicles and school buses are better alternatives as they use less fossil fuel to get more people around.
The most sustainable form of transportation occurs when we use our “fuel”, the kinetic energy of moving our bodies, to travel. It’s healthier for both the Earth and us.
School Crossing Safety Programs
The following opportunities, aimed at assisting students with safe road crossings, are available through the Toronto Police Service.
Adult School Crossing Guards: To request a School Crossing Guard in the City of Toronto, members of the school community (parents/school staff/members of the public, etc.) must submit a written request, identifying the desired location, to officeofthechief@torontopolice.on.ca.
School Safety Patrol Program: Student volunteers can be trained through the Toronto Police Services’ School Safety Patrol Program to assist their peers in safely crossing the street while traveling to and from school. For details on Toronto’s School Safety Patrol Program, contact the Program Coordinator at 416-808-1915.
School Travel Planning
School Travel Planning is a process designed to help school communities address safety and transportation issues in their area. Drawing in students, staff, teachers, parents, and community members to create a School Travel Action Plan can help to encourage staff and students to travel to and from school in a safe and active way.
Below are a few actions you can take to get started:
Conduct a community walkabout in your school neighbourhood and discuss ways to improve active, safe, and sustainable transportation to and from school.
Complete daily surveys over one week asking students and teachers how they get to and from school. Consider using one of the School Travel Survey Tools of this section
Create a school travel action plan for your school with short, medium, and long-term actions.
Implement your plan and track activities with help from your school and community. Re-survey staff and students each season to find out what has changed at your school and make any needed changes to your plan.
For complete Schools Travel Planning in a step-by-step guide.
Public Transit Safety Tips
Visitors and residents of Toronto are fortunate to have access to a wide variety of public transit options. Relying on public transit, rather than single-occupancy vehicles, helps to curb traffic congestion, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the city.
The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) offers the following public transit safety tips:
Bus and streetcar safety
Never run for a bus or streetcar.
Never run in front of a TTC vehicle to stop it.
Do not stick your arms or head out of the window.
Once you are on a TTC vehicle stand behind the white line and stay clear of the doors.
If you are standing on a TTC vehicle, hold onto the bars to avoid falling
At streetcar stops, wait for the streetcar to stop and open its doors, and then look left. When approaching traffic has stopped, step into the street and walk directly to the streetcar. When exiting, look right to ensure traffic has stopped and walk directly to the sidewalk.
When boarding or leaving vehicles, keep all bags, parcels, and backpacks clear of the doors. Carry these items in front of you.
Subway Platform and Train Safety
Stand back from the yellow platform edge strip until the train is stopped at the platform and the doors have opened.
When entering or exiting the train, mind the gap between the train and the platform.
When travelling with children, be sure to assist them on and off vehicles to ensure you do not become separated.
Listen for the door chimes and watch for the flashing orange light in the doorway. This is a warning that the doors are about to close. Do not try to board the train once he chimes have started ringing.
Do not try to force open the car doors. You could get hurt and you could damage the door mechanism.
Never go down onto the tracks for any reason. If you drop something, leave it and tell a TTC uniformed employee.
Walking Tips
Walking as a form of transportation is good for the environment, can help us become more connected to our communities, provides an opportunity to socialize with friends and family, and studies have shown that active kids are better prepared to learn. When out walking, it is important to be a responsible and prepared pedestrian.
The following are some walking tips from Toronto Public Health:
Pay attention to traffic signals. Cross only when you have the pedestrian crossing signal, and look both ways as you cross
Never assume a driver sees you when crossing-always try to make eye contact with drivers as they approach
Carry identification, a cell phone, and a whistle
Wear comfortable walking shoes and bright, reflective clothing
Dress for the weather
Avoid using headphones and cell phones while walking
Tell someone where you're going
Check the Air Quality Health Index and UV Index before you start your walk
Be sun safe