Active School Travel
The City of Vaughan's Active School Travel program promotes any form of human-powered travel, such as walking or wheeling (including the use of assistive mobility devices), cycling, rollerblading or skateboarding to get to and from school.
In collaboration with York Region, York Catholic District School Board, York Region District School Board, York Region Public Health and York Regional Police, this program is designed to:
- build healthy, lifelong habits of activity and independence.
- reduce vehicle congestion in school zones.
- help reduce pollution and greenhouse gases made by vehicles.
- improve students’ physical and mental health, social development and academic performance.
Through the program, participating schools are encouraged to use a combination of activities and tools provided by the City to involve the community. In addition, traffic calming measures are implemented (where warranted) to enhance safety in school zone areas. These include, but are not limited to:
- installation of radar message boards
- installation of flexi posts
- installation of wayfinding signage along five-, 10- and 15-minute walking routes
- improvement or introduction of school zone pavement markings
Safe school zones and the well-being of residents remain a top priority. The City continues to collaborate with stakeholders and leverage partnerships to raise awareness, share information and promote active and sustainable travel, as road safety is a shared value and responsibility.
2025-26 school year
In September, the program rolled out across the following four new locations:
- Blue Willow Public School (250 Blue Willow Dr.)
- Glenn Gould Public School (675 Vellore Park Ave.)
- St. Cecilia Catholic Elementary School (300 Peter Rupert Ave.)
- Tanya Khan Public School (422 Barons St.)
Walking routes
Use the City’s live map below to determine walking routes for your school area:
Background
In May of 2022, the program began as a pilot in eight schools for the 2022-23 school year. Since 2022, the program has been implemented at 16 schools across the city. More information about the program findings can be found in the Active School Travel Pilot Program Summary (PDF).
As part of the Safer School Zones Plan, recommendations were brought forward for the continued improvement and expansion of the Active School Travel program.