School Streets programs have been popular in many cities across the world. They temporarily close streets directly in front of schools at peak drop off and pick up periods to cars, thereby creating safer spaces that encourage families to walk and use more active forms of transportation, such as biking, to school.
The first-ever Markham School Streets program was initiated in May 2022 by York Region District School Board (YRDSB) in partnership with the City of Markham. Markham’s inaugural School Streets program was launched at John McCrae P.S. It ran four times in total on each subsequent Wednesday in the month of May. The goals of the program were to spur greater interest in active travel amongst the John McCrae P.S. community, monitor the impacts on student travel habits and local neighbourhood congestion, increase perceptions of road safety, and evaluate whether School Streets programs are suitable for Markham’s low-density neighborhoods.
The Centre for Active Transportation (TCAT) conducted an evaluation of this program with the City of Markham, and the YRDSB. Students, parents/guardians, school staff, residents impacted by the road closure, and Markham residents in general, were surveyed both before and during the School Streets program. Results were analyzed to find trends in feedback across the respondents.
KEY FINDINGS:
- School Streets improved perceptions of safety in front of John McCrae P.S.
In total, 66.4% of students felt safe on the street during School Streets, compared to only 2.3% who felt unsafe. Parents and guardians similarly felt much safer having kids walk and ride bikes in front of the school during School Streets than they did before the program. - School Streets got kids out of cars
The percentage of students at John McCrae P.S. who got to school by car before the program (12.3%) was cut almost in half during School Streets (6.4%). - School Streets had minimal impact on local vehicular traffic and congestion
In total, 55.2% of all survey respondents indicated the School Streets closure had no impact on their commute, with a larger percentage indicating it made their commute easier (25.3%) rather than harder (19.4%). City of Markham traffic counts found minimal impacts to traffic and congestion on surrounding streets. - Community liked and would support more School Streets programs
62.2% of parents, guardians, residents impacted by the road closure, and residents from across Markham liked the program compared to just 24.3% who disliked it. 64.2% would support future School Streets programs - Students were more uncertain about School Streets, but would still support more
programs
45.5% of students liked School Streets, while 44.5% were unsure or neutral about the program. 43.6% supported future School Streets programs and 47.3% were unsure or had no opinion.
Read the full School Streets Report here.