Active School Travel

What is Active School Travel?

Active School Travel means getting to and from school using physical activity—like walking, biking, or rolling. It’s a fun, healthy, and sustainable way for students to travel while building independence and confidence.

Why Choose Active School Travel (AST)?

Health Benefits

Walking, biking, or rolling to school helps kids stay active, build healthy habits, and feel happier. It can reduce the risk of obesity and heart disease, while boosting mental well-being and independence.

Better Learning

Physical activity before school improves focus, alertness, and supports brain development.

Safer Street

Fewer cars around schools mean less traffic and fewer collisions. Kids also learn road safety skills, and more people walking and biking makes neighbourhoods feel safer.

Cleaner Air

Less driving means less pollution—healthier air for everyone.

Reduce Emissions

Reducing car trips helps cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Get Active School Travel Rolling at your School

These activities are great ways to gather information, raise awareness, and boost participation in active school travel.

Hands Up Surveys

Teachers ask students how they got to school that day and enter the results manually, or into the bikewalkroll online tracking tool. This provides a snapshot of travel habits and helps track progress over time.

https://bikewalkroll.org/

Awareness & Promotion

Use newsletters, social media, classroom lessons, or school events to share the benefits of active travel. The more people know, the more likely they are to participate.

Drive to 5+

Families drop off students at safe locations 5–15 minutes from school, giving kids a short walk and reducing traffic near the school.

Nanaimo's Drive to 5+ Toolkit

Walking School Bus

Groups of children walk to school together with adult volunteers. It’s safe, social, and helps build walking habits.

https://scyofbc.org/walking-school-bus/

Speed Watch

Community Policing volunteers use radar and speed signs to remind drivers to slow down. It also collects data to help address speeding concerns.

https://rcmp.ca/en/bc/careers/volunteer-programs/speed-watch

GoByBike

Join GoByBike events to celebrate cycling and win prizes.

https://gobybikebc.ca/nanaimo/

Walking & Biking Challenges

Run a challenge to encourage students to walk or bike more often. Add prizes to make it fun and engaging.

Bike Safety Training

Invite experts to teach safe cycling skills to students, staff, and families. Builds confidence and promotes safe riding.

https://bikehub.ca/education/learn2ride-online

Other Helpful Resources

Bikes for Kids Vancouver Island – Donates bikes to kids in need.

https://bikesforkidsvi.ca/

Project 529 Garage – Bike registration and theft prevention.

https://project529.com/garage

City of Nanaimo Bike Map – Interactive map of bike routes.

Nanaimo Bike Map

Active School Travel Program

Many schools in Nanaimo are already leading the way in encouraging students to walk, bike, and roll to school. The Active School Travel Program helps schools take their efforts even further by developing a holistic action plan tailored to each school’s unique context.

This year-long program includes research, community engagement, and collaborative planning. The result is a customized plan that outlines actions across five key areas:

Encouragement

Education

Engineering

Enforcement

Equity

These strategies support safer, healthier school communities and make active travel a more accessible choice for students.

Check out Nanaimo’s Active School Travel Guide to learn more about the program.

Is your school ready to take the next step? Stay tuned for details on how to submit an Expression of Interest for the Active School Travel program during the upcoming intake period in Fall 2025.

Completed Active School Travel Plans

School Travel Plans:

• Departure Bay - School Travel Plan
• Frank J Ney - School Travel Plan
• McGirr - School Travel Plan
• Randerson Ridge - School Travel Plan
• Uplands Park Elementary School
• Cinnabar Valley Elementary School - AST Plan
• Chase River Elementary School - AST Plan

 School Travel Maps

• Departure Bay Elementary School Route Map
• Frank J Ney Elementary School Route Map (West)
• Frank J Ney Elementary School Route Map (East)
• McGirr Elementary School Route Map
• Randerson Ridge Elementary School Route Map
• Bayview Elementary School Route Map
• Cilaire Elementary School Route Map
• Coal Tyee Elementary School Route Map
• Quaterway - Forest Park Elementary School Route Map
• Uplands Park Elementary School Route Map
• Cinnabar Valley Elementary School Route Map
• Chase River Elementary School Route Map