What Schools Can Do
Inspiring the Next Generation of Sustainable Travelers
Schools play a key role in helping Whitehorse reach its goal of 40% sustainable travel by 2040. By encouraging walking, biking, taking the bus, or carpooling, schools can make getting to and from class safer, healthier, and more enjoyable for everyone.
Around 75% of students in Whitehorse schools don’t yet have a driver’s license. This gives schools an incredible opportunity to help young people build sustainable travel habits early—habits that last as they gain independence and enter the workforce.
Active and shared travel benefits everyone:
- Younger students build confidence, stay active, and learn road safety skills.
- Parents and teachers help reduce traffic congestion and make school zones safer.
- Older students save money, cut emissions, and set a positive example for others.
Together, schools can help shape a generation of confident, active, and climate-friendly commuters—building a healthier, more connected Whitehorse for years to come.
Explore the ideas and resources below to get started or keep the momentum going toward more sustainable school travel—and join the fun each May during Active Commute Month to celebrate your school’s success and inspire others to get involved.
Have Fun Getting to School!
Create a year-round calendar of travel events to keep students motivated and celebrate every season of movement:
- Walk and Roll Wednesdays: Pick one day a week for students to walk or bike to school. The class with the most participation wins a prize.
- Car-Free Challenge Week: Go five days without a car and use active or shared travel instead.
- February Walk to School Day / Month: Show that winter walking can be fun.
- April Bike to School Day / Month: Promote cycling safety, maintenance and celebrate biking to school.
- Active Commute Month in May: Join the community challenge to celebrate yearlong efforts and keep everyone motivated and engaged.
Build Confidence and Safety for Student Travel
Help build a safer, supportive environment:
School Travel Plans: Work with the City of Whitehorse to map safe walking and biking routes, install crosswalks, bike lanes, and signage to improve safety and accessibility. In 2022, the City completed the first such plan – Selkirk Elementary School Active Travel Plan.
Walking and Biking School Buses: Organize groups of students who walk or bike together with a parent or teacher leading the way.
Bike Parking Upgrades: Make biking easier in every season by adding secure and covered bike parking. Funding support may be available through the City’s Environmental Grant.
Winter and Rainy Day Support
Offer hats, gloves, or boot coupons, and create warm-up spots for students who arrive cold or wet.
Hats
Gloves
Boots
Get the Whole School Involved
Work together to make sustainable travel a fun and lasting school-wide effort:
- Involve your school council and parent-teacher groups to help spread the word
- Partner with City bylaw officers, local bike shops, and community organizations to host safety or bike maintenance workshops
- Ask local businesses to sponsor prizes or community ride events
- Track progress with quick classroom hands-up surveys to see how students get to school, and share the results with community partners
- Celebrate your school’s success with prizes, shout-outs, or assemblies to keep everyone motivated!
School Travel Guide Framework
The City of Whitehorse is developing a School Travel Guide Framework to encourage sustainable travel for students. The guide will include practical tools and local resources to help schools promote active and shared commuting for their school community. Stay tuned!