Small Steps Toward Active School Transportation: A Midtown Toronto Case Study

The way in which a neighbourhood is planned greatly impacts its overall flow and function. Planning influences how residents interact with space on an everyday basis. Planning for healthy, active and sustainable neighbourhoods is essential for the longevity of the neighbourhood and the ability of residents to safely and efficiently navigate the neighbourhood on foot. Neighbourhood congestion has a plethora of causes, one of which is the routes children take to and from school each day. Whether their journeys take place by automobile, public transportation, walking or biking, each mode of transportation can impact neighbourhood congestion and individual safety. I examined children's pathways to John Wanless Public School, situated in Midtown Toronto, as a Case Study for examining the topic of Active School Transportation. I interviewed residents and made observations of the neighbourhood. Results show that resident behavior highly favours active school transportation in the neighbourhood. However, there are areas of concerns for residents that may impact future active travel behavior for school-aged children. These include concerns over future development and spaces in schools for their children, added congestion, construction and safety concerns that all add to the decline in the participation of active school transportation. Overall findings conclude that individual behavior varies widely on individual perceptions of neighbourhood safety resulting in the participation of active school transportation. To increase participation in active school transportation, walkability needs to be addressed on the neighbourhood level to change the behaviors of residents.