The Active and Safe Routes to School Program has been running for four years with a capital budget of $1.5 million and an annual operating budget of $75,000. In its first four years, the program has made improvements to infrastructure near 24 Calgary schools aimed at making it easier for children to walk to school.
Laura Shutiak, executive director with Calgary non-profit Youth En Route, provided data her group had gathered about cycle use at six Calgary schools. While more than half of students reported owning a bike, only one per cent said they used that bike to get to school. She said youths often don’t realize how easy it can be to cycle somewhere. She spoke about one high school student who came to her with concerns about being able to write an important math test after cycling three kilometres.Article content
Councillors also asked administration to prepare an expanded option in the four-year planning cycle, which could see the program receive even more funding.Coun. Kourtney Penner said getting more kids walking and bicycling has benefits for everyone, and will pay the city back in the long run with benefits such as reduced car traffic and healthier citizens.Article content
My kids’ zoned elementary school is 5 km away, their high school more than 10. It’s great to try but we need better infrastructure not hopeful programs.
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