City of Penticton launches ‘safer routes’ pilot project for students
Global News
The project launched at Carmi Elementary School and Uplands Elementary School. However, the city hopes to launch the program at more schools in the future.
The City of Penticton, B.C., has launched a pilot project to help create safer routes for students to walk or roll to school.
The project launched at Carmi Elementary School and Uplands Elementary School. However, the city hopes to launch the program at more schools in the future.
“The purpose of the Safe Routes to School initiative is to improve safety for all road users surrounding each school while promoting an environment for students to walk, wheel, and roll to school wherever possible,” said Penticton Deputy Mayor Helena Konanz in a release.
“By implementing new measures and creating safe routes to travel, the school community will have more confidence to use active modes of transportation, which offers many health benefits and results in fewer cars on the road.”
According to city staff, the goal is to look at how kids are getting to school and what barriers may be in place that are preventing modes active of transportation.
The process will involve engaging with the school community and working with Engineering, Bylaw, and RCMP to assess existing traffic impacts and transportation infrastructure and identify opportunities for improvement.
However, recommendations will go beyond just improving the existing infrastructure.
“This might include new infrastructure such as traffic calming, road crossings or new sidewalks, and can also include actions relating to programming and education, such as ‘walking school buses’ or bike safety education,” said Penticton’s general manager of Infrastructure Kristen Dixon in a release.