2014 Brampton Kids on Bikes Literature Review
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Brampton Kids on Bikes Project Review of the Literature Report Dayle Laing, David Laing November 24, 2014 Brampton Kids on Bikes Project – Review of the Literature Report 1 Executive Summary Similar to many communities across Canada, the Region of Peel is facing a youth health crisis fueled significantly by inactivity. Increasing the participation of school-aged children in active transportation to and from school is the most efficient and cost-effective method of combating this crisis. Yet despite efforts by numerous agencies over the past 10 years, the rate of participation in active transportation continues to decline. The Brampton Kids on Bikes Project aims to discover why, and then develop advocacy messages aimed at key decision-makers who can drive the changes required to begin to reverse these trends. This document provides a review of the current Figure 1 - Child in Bike Rodeo at Bike literature. It documents the scope and magnitude of the the Creek, 2014 health crisis and looks at the research which indicates inactivity as a primary cause. It then looks at the research documenting the benefits of active transportation as a potential solution to this health problem and the best practices for implementing change within the school system. The volume of literature, research and reports on the topic of student active transportation is quite frankly, staggering. There are already comprehensive suggestions about how to fix this problem. (See Opportunities, page 40) There are many ‘moving parts’ – many stakeholders that must coordinate actions to be successful. The current board of education focus on mathematics could be enhanced by students arriving at school alert and energized due to active transportation. While a good majority of pre-school children are performing well, the levels of physical activity for most children 5 and older are abysmal. ‘Waiting for the perfection’ of bicycle infrastructure should not be an excuse to avoid changing the ‘status quo’ culture. Reducing the damage being done to children’s health should be the prime imperative. Lack of demand can be viewed as a reason not to invest in bicycle infrastructure. This should be a case of “build it and they will come”. Specific targets should be agreed upon by stakeholders, measured & incentives applied. Schools are not all equal in their opportunities for active transportation. Targets for schools could allow for percentage point improvements rather than actual numbers. Changing the current situation for active transportation for children travelling to school will likely take a shift in the current cultural norm, which may occur quickly because parents are conflicted! November 24, 2014 Brampton Kids on Bikes Project – Review of the Literature Report 2 Table of Contents Review of the Literature Report ..................................... 0 Executive Summary ........................................................ 1 Chapter 1 - Project Background ..................................... 5 Brampton Bicycle Advisory Committee .......................... 5 BBAC Brampton Kids on Bikes Project Team .................. 6 Project Support ............................................................... 7 Chapter 2 - Region of Peel Public Health Status ............. 7 Region of Peel Weight Statistics ..................................... 7 Disease Related to Weight ............................................. 7 Population Growth ......................................................... 8 Traffic Congestion Related to Air Quality in Peel ........... 8 Chapter 3 – Active Transportation as a Cure… ............... 9 Health Benefits versus Risks of Cycling ........................ 10 ‘Safety in Numbers’ Health Benefit of Cycling ............. 10 Support for Healthy Living in the Region of Peel ......... 11 Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines .......................... 11 Cycling for Health Benefits ........................................... 11 Student Active Transportation Statistics ...................... 11 Health Benefit – Improved Academic Concentration .. 12 Re-engineering Active Transportation back into daily lives 13 Financial Costs .............................................................. 13 Chapter 4 – Perceived Barriers to Active Transportation14 Safety and Security Barrier ........................................... 16 Distance is “too far” Barrier ......................................... 18 Weather Barrier ............................................................ 19 November 24, 2014 Brampton Kids on Bikes Project – Review of the Literature Report 3 Cultural Barriers............................................................ 19 Cultural Values and Norms ........................................... 19 Multicultural Aspect ..................................................... 20 Dissonance of Perceived Barriers – an Opportunity .... 21 Chapter 5 – Support at the Municipal Level ................. 22 Region of Peel Support ................................................. 22 Peel Strategic and Official Plans ................................... 22 Region of Peel Active Transportation Study (Plan) ....... 23 Walk + Roll Peel ............................................................ 24 Bike Parking Pilot Program ........................................... 24 Peel Safe and Active Routes to Schools (PSARTS) ......... 24 Mississauga Support ..................................................... 25 Brampton Support ........................................................ 25 Bicycle Friendly Communities ...................................... 30 Chapter 6 – Bucking the Trends: Best in Class Approaches 30 Active & Safe Routes to Schools Program .................... 31 Ottawa School Travel Planning High School Pilot Project31 Halton District School Board Leadership Case Study ... 31 ‘Wheeling to School’ Case Study .................................. 32 ‘Stepping It Up’ Pilot Project ........................................ 33 School Travel Planning – Ontario Successes & Lessons 35 Active & Sustainable School Transportation Strategy Roadmap 35 Costs and Benefits of School Travel Planning Projects . 38 Bike to School Project –Toronto High School Case Study39 School Travel Planning in Canada ................................. 40 Chapter 7 – Opportunities in the Region of Peel ......... 40 November 24, 2014 Brampton Kids on Bikes Project – Review of the Literature Report 4 Active Transportation Convenience – Opportunity ..... 40 Child Safety and Security Education - Opportunity ...... 41 School Travel Planner – Opportunity ........................... 41 Community Planning - Opportunity ............................. 42 Road Safety – Opportunity ........................................... 43 Community Resources – Opportunity .......................... 43 Weather – Opportunity ................................................ 43 School Planning and Siting – Opportunity .................... 43 School Facilities, Design & Operations – Opportunity . 44 Curriculum – Opportunity ............................................ 44 School Resources – Opportunity .................................. 44 Cultural Norm Shift - Opportunity ................................ 45 Chapter 8 – Conclusions ............................................... 45 Reference End Notes .................................................... 46 November 24, 2014 Brampton Kids on Bikes Project – Review of the Literature Report 5 Chapter 1 - Project Background “We walk to school because... We can stop and say hello to a kitty or a pup and sing along with the birds.” 1 Junior Kindergarten student, Maurice Cody Public School, Toronto, Walk to School Day (2000) Only a small percentage of children in Brampton’s primary and secondary schools use active transportation alternatives to travel to and from school. That percentage has been dropping over the past number of years. Inactivity leads to significant health related issues for Brampton’s youth. Current programs aimed at encouraging active transportation lack overall Figure 2 - Child petting dog on Bike coordination, are aimed at a small percentage of the the Creek route, 2014 youth population and are focused on a school by school basis. The ultimate goal is to reverse the trend of car usage as the primary transportation option for youth and dramatically increase the use of Active Transportation (AT) options in lieu of travel by car. To accomplish this, we believe, a more holistic approach is warranted than has been tried to date. This project is designed as the first step, to review the literature, to scope the approach and lay the preparatory groundwork that will lead to achievement of the ultimate goal as part of a future implementation plan. Since the City of Brampton is part of the Region of Peel, and the school board is regional, this report, although called, “Brampton Kids on Bikes”, is actually focussed on strategy for the entire region, including Mississauga and Caledon. Brampton Bicycle Advisory Committee The Brampton Bicycle Advisory Committee (BBAC) is a voluntary group of citizens who support, encourage, promote and advocate for increased safe recreational and transportational cycling in the City of Brampton. BBAC was started in April 2013, and although it is not yet an official Committee of Council, the committee has had a Council-approved City Councillor member since May 2013. The tag line is: Biking in Brampton builds our Community. http://bikebrampton.ca/ As well as the Brampton Kids on Bikes Project, BBAC has also been championing the