Staying active outdoors doesn’t have to end with colder weather

Taking advantage of fall weather can be a great opportunity to continue to stay active outdoors. This Pedestrian Safety Month and International Walk to School Month, the City is raising awareness about pedestrian safety and reminding all road users of their responsibilities on the road. The City is also encouraging students to use active transportation safely on their way to and from school.

School Walking Routes program

For students and families that want to stay active during this season, walking, cycling or rolling to and from school is a great way to build physical activity into your routine. The City has a School Walking Routes program that promotes active travel, such as walking or travelling by bike, wheelchair or other mobility devices, to and from school. School Route signs installed around the neighbourhood guide students on their way to school and alert drivers to watch for children. Remember to dress for the weather.

Keep vulnerable road users safe

The risk of collisions increases when daylight hours shorten. Visibility is reduced when it’s dark, making it harder to see people on the road. Some road users face a higher risk of being seriously hurt in a crash. This includes pedestrians, cyclists and e-scooter riders.

Drivers are reminded to:

• Stay alert and obey posted speed limits.
• Pay special attention near schools for pedestrians and cyclists, especially when turning and in areas with many stopped cars.
• When turning right at a red light, come to a full stop.
• Set your music, GPS and Bluetooth before driving. Once you’re on the road, focus only on driving.
• Avoid using high beams unless it’s difficult to see and there’s no traffic in front of you.
• Be extra diligent around transit stops.

Pedestrians, cyclists and e-scooter riders are reminded to:

• Be alert and stay aware of your surroundings.
• Cross streets at designated crosswalks, crossovers or crossrides where possible. Walk your device across roads when no crossrides are available.
• Wear a helmet when biking or riding an e-scooter and use lights and reflectors on your devices. Remember, you have to be 16 and older to ride an e-scooter.

Road safety initiatives to support vulnerable road users

The City is continuing to work towards reaching its road safety goal of zero fatalities and serious injuries due to collisions on roadways. This year, the City is implementing several initiatives to help increase safety for road users. Some initiatives include:

• Installing 17 new pedestrian crossovers to help increase safety for pedestrians crossing the road. Drivers must stop at a crossover and let people cross.

• Installing 36 new traffic calming projects in residential neighbourhoods and near school zones this year to help reduce speeding and aggressive driving.

• Installing Slow Streets bollards (traffic posts) on 312 roadways as part of the City’s seasonal speed mitigation program to remind drivers to slow down and watch for people walking, biking and rolling in neighbourhoods.

• Continuing the School Walking Routes Program to guide the way to school and alert drivers to watch for children. It also encourages students to travel to school actively by walking, biking, using a scooter or other mobility devices.

• Continuing the School Crossing Guard Program with crossing guards at more than 160 locations to help elementary school students safely cross the road.

Learn more about road safety at mississauga.ca/roadsafety.

Tags

• Active Transportation
• Public Safety