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ShareSaanich students help environment
Published: October 09, 2008 12:25 PMUpdated: October 10, 2008 11:36 AM
B.C. schools now have the province's help to go green.
On Wednesday, education minister Shirley Bond launched the new walking school-bus and bicycle-train program at Frank Hobbs elementary in Saanich.
"The walking school bus and bicycle train at Frank Hobbs was very simple to organize and is really helping cure the car culture around the school," said Liz Miller, Safer School Travel representative for the school's parents advisory council in a media release. "We have organized two walking school-buses and a bicycle train. The students who participate are having fun and we've received great support from the community."
Walkers mimic a school bus by making predetermined stops to pick-up or drop-off students on their way to and from the school.
The province is investing close to $200,000 for online tools and an incentive program. The start-up kit for schools includes road safety tips, neighbourhood maps, classroom emissions tracking program, interactive training sessions for parents and organizers, two reflective vests per route for the parent or community volunteers to wear and reflective arm bands for student participants.
"If just nine families regularly walk or bicycle to school over the course of a year, they can prevent almost 1,000 kilograms of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere," said Bond.
As schools demonstrate success with their new program, they will be able to apply for incentive equipment, such as bicycle racks, pedometers and bike locks, the minister explained.
To learn more about the program visit www.hastebc.org.
