Contributed - Dec 27, 2009 / 9:00 am CASTANET:
The City of Vernon and the City of Surrey were selected by BC Green Communities Canada and Haste-BC (Hub Action for School Transportation Emissions) to be part of a national School Travel Plan program. The City of Vernon received a $22,300 grant to conduct School Travel Plans for three elementary schools: Ellison, Harwood and Okanagan Landing. City Council endorsed the program with two Councillors, Jack Gilroy and Mary-Jo O’Keefe participating. “The grant enables us to develop a plan that will identify and address some of our city’s long overdue challenges, such as pressing safety concerns for students and increased traffic in our school zones.” said STP Committee member, Gilroy. “When Harwood and Okanagan Landing schools were built, we didn’t have the volume of traffic back then. Now we are faced with some serious pedestrian and cycling issues for the increased number of children travelling to and from school.”
As that number skyrockets, and walking and cycling plummets, there are serious and growing concerns about the health and environmental impacts of these trends. Concerns include congestion and traffic safety, air pollution, climate change, and reduced opportunities for students to enjoy the benefits of exercise, fresh air and independence. According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, two-thirds of Canadian children are no longer active enough for normal health and development.
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