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Page 3 of 5 ACTIVE AND SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PETERBOROUGH Active and Safe Routes to School â Peterborough (A.S.R.T.S.P) is a partnership of schools, community organizations, principals and parents dedicated to promoting safe, physically active and earth-friendly transportation to and from school. Why Active and Safe Routes to School? Automobiles are having an impact on our children. With vehicle ownership and use steadily increasing, the result is congested roads, sedentary citizens and increased air pollution. Children feel this impact most severely. With more cars on the road, parents fears of traffic danger and personal safety have increased, leading them to drive their children to school. Many school zones have become traffic nightmares. The inactivity of being a passenger in a car has replaced the walking and biking activity that has helped previous generations of children maintain good health. According to the Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute, two-thirds of Canadian children and youth are not currently active enough to lay a solid foundation for future health and well-being. As many as 20% of Canada's youth are considered overweight - obesity has increased by more than 50% in children aged 6-11 in the past 15 years. Air pollution triggers asthma attacks. Researchers now believe that it can cause the disease, one of the most prevalent respiratory illnesses in North America. Asthma is now the number one cause of school absenteeism in Canada and the number one reason children are admitted to emergency departments. There has been a four-fold increase in the illness in the last 20 years! Vehicle exhaust is the leading cause of air pollution. Active and Safe Routes to School (ASRTS) encourages healthy, active lifestyles through supporting the direct involvement of school communities in solving their traffic and safety problems. ASRTSP encourages children to use active transportation to school whenever possible. For students who are bused, ASRTSP promotes regular bus ridership (means fewer car trips to school!), active transportation to and from the bus stop and access to quality activity programs at school. Issues Addressed by A.S.R.T.S.P. - Traffic Safety
- Children's Health
- Physical Activity
- Air Quality and Climate Change
- Community Awareness and Familiarity
Activities Supported by A.S.R.T.S.P. - International Walk to School Day
- Cross Canada Walking Challenge
- Walking School Bus
- School Zone Anti-Idling Projects
- Curriculum Activities for K â 8
- Neighbourhood Mapping
For more information on how to get involved please contact Peterborough Green-Up or the Peterborough County-City Health Unit, 743-1000. Active and Safe Routes to School Peterborough partners include:
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