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“It seems simple – this idea of getting kids walking and biking to school, but it’s really quite complicated.”
~ Barbara Myron, Principal Greenway School, Winnipeg
Walking the Talk:
Stories from the field
Overview
3 Different Communities Engaged With STP:
1. Urban Centre – Winnipeg (pop. 730,018)
2. Northern Planned Community – Thompson (pop. 12,829)
3. Urban/Rural Mixed Community – Steinbach (13,524)
Walking the Talk:
Stories from the field
Background
1. Winnipeg – Greenway School
2. Thompson – All 6 Elementary Schools
3. Steinbach – Woodlawn School
Walking the Talk:
Stories from the field
Background
1. Winnipeg – Greenway School
Barbara Myron, Principal
2. Thompson – All 6 Elementary Schools
Bruce Krentz, Regional Health Promotion Coordinator
Burntwood Regional Health Authority
3. Steinbach – Woodlawn School
Shelley Amos, Principal
Walking the Talk:
Stories from the field
Getting More Kids Walking & Biking: Where does it start?
Inspiration for change:
• Health
• Safety
• Traffic Congestion
Walking the Talk: Stories from the field
Getting More Kids Walking & Biking: Where does it start?
Walking the Talk:
Stories from the field
Intent
“I make it my choice. More people could do it if they make the choice. If your child walks to school on a great big snowy day, chances are they’re not complaining about it when they get there. My experience is that I do walk and bike
with my children, but that’s because I’m choosing to do so.”
~ Bruce Krentz
Walking the Talk:
Stories from the field
Getting More Kids Walking & Biking : What are the challenges?
• Competing Priorities
• Lack of Role-Models
• Parents lead busy lives
Walking the Talk: Stories from the field
Getting More Kids Walking & Biking: What are the challenges?
• Infrastructure changes
• Bussing Issues • Walking School Bus • Safety Education for Parents “We still have an astounding amount of vehicle infractions: cars
going through stop signs, illegally turning around in intersections and so on. “ ~ Shelley Amos
Walking the Talk:
Stories from the field
Walking the Talk: Stories from the field
Getting More Kids Walking & Biking : Overcoming the challenges
• Cultivate relationships
• Take your time
• Role-modelling is important
“Getting more people out there doing it encourages others to join. If there are 50 people biking, it would be easier for there to be 100. But if it’s just me, then it’s easier to write off as the lone crazy.” ~ Bruce Krentz
Walking the Talk:
Stories from the field
Getting More Kids Walking & Biking : Overcoming the challenges
• Newsletters to parents
• Staff buy-in
“Our staff is very supportive, and a great number of them ride their bikes to school. So the kids see and know that, see them with their bikes and helmets. It’s great role-modeling for the kids.” ~ Barbara Myron
Walking the Talk: Stories from the field
Getting More Kids Walking & Biking: Overcoming the challenges
• Communicating with key stakeholder
• Steering Committees get things done
“Ours got movement happening with the City. We definitely recommend the need for that steering committee in order for necessary change to happen.” ~ Shelley Amos
Walking the Talk: Stories from the field
Getting More Kids Walking & Biking: What about your successes?
Thompson • Slow & Gradual Shift
• Supportive City Council. “Council ensures school zones get
done first, when it comes to plowing snow off the streets. These sidewalks get cleared, making it ok to walk, and that indicates walking is a priority for Council, which is a great thing.” ~ Bruce Krent
• High number of kids walking to school.
Walking the Talk: Stories from the field
Walking the Talk: Stories from the field
Getting More Kids Walking & Biking: What about your successes?
Greenway School (Winnipeg)
• Curb bump-outs
• Bike lanes
• Educating Parents
• Fewer Kids Driven
• Engage kids
• Walking School Bus
Walking the Talk:
Stories from the field
Getting More Kids Walking & Biking: What about your successes?
Woodlawn School (Steinbach) • Special Events • Traffic Reduced • School Division Support • Improved Infrastructure • Safety Officer
12% shift in the number of students walking to school!
Walking the Talk:
Stories from the field
Walking the Talk: Stories from the field
Success
“To be honest, I don’t know if we’ve had lots and lots of successes. But we’ve certainly turned the corner. Some success comes from being able to talk with schools. A couple of times a
year, I speak to teachers and administration around various health topics – and active travel is one I really believe in, so I
do make a point of reminding them of this. Reminding them , reminding them, reminding them.”
~ Bruce Krentz
Walking the Talk: Stories from the field
Getting More Kids Walking & Biking: What does it take?
Thompson
1. Having the right facilities
2. Prioritizing active travel
3. City Planning plays a role
Walking the Talk: Stories from the field
Getting More Kids Walking & Biking: What does it take?
Greenway School (Winnipeg)
1. Plan
2. Parental Involvement
3. Partnerships with City & Other Community Stakeholders
Walking the Talk: Stories from the field
Getting More Kids Walking & Biking: What does it take?
Woodlawn School (Steinbach)
1. Educating Students and Parents
2. Steering Committee
3. Modelling It
4. Focus on Walking
Walking the Talk:
Stories from the field
Momentum
“Even some staff had their doubts on the safety of having kids biking to school -- but people really switched once the
momentum of the program got going. There was a definite change in attitude.”
~ Barbara Myron
Walking the Talk:
Stories from the field
Changing mindset
“And I don’t know how to do it, but I do know that lots of it is in city planning Getting more over the hump of getting more people doing it. If all your neighbours are driving, you’ll want to too.
However, if more of your neighbours are walking or biking, you’ll think that’s the way to go.”
~ Bruce Krentz
Walking the Talk:
Stories from the field
Getting More Kids Walking & Biking: Keys to success
Toolkit
1. STP Facilitator to Guide Process
2. Regular Meetings
3. Communicate
4. Staff Buy-in
5. Partnerships
Walking the Talk: Stories from the field
Getting More Kids Walking & Biking: Keys to success
People to Enlist 1. Community Leaders 2. Parent Ambassadors 3. Student Voices. 4. Data Entry Support 5. School Champion
Walking the Talk:
Stories from the field
“In a way, a good idea is making it easy – the thing in everything.
People like McDonald’s because it’s easy.”
~ Bruce Krentz
Walking the Talk: Stories from the field
Surprise!
Walking the Talk:
Stories from the field
“People want to do it, but they just don’t know how. It’s both a challenge and an opportunity – kids want to walk, and how do we make it easier for them. We thought there’d be more resistance.”
~ Bruce Krentz
Walking the Talk:
Stories from the field
“The thing is:
How to make it work in their world? Some of it is a mindset, some logistics.”
~ Bruce Krentz
Walking the Talk: Stories from the field
Thank you! Questions?
Lea Grzenda – Events Coordinator
Masha Giller – Outreach Coordinator
Active & Safe Routes to School
Green Action Centre
(204) 925-3773
www.greenactioncentre.ca
Membership is free
Stay informed – make a difference in your community!
