image by cobalt123/cc/flickr

CHILD & YOUTH FRIENDLY Transportation

These indicators have been compiled with a grading system to help you and your community think through aspects of child and youth friendliness in each domain. 

 

A grading system allows you to recognize that (for most of these indicators) there are many steps between 'not at all child and youth friendly' and 'extremely child and youth friendly'. Your community may fall somewhere in the middle on many of the indicators. 

 

For each indicator, try to grade your community out of 10.

1 being "Not at all child and youth friendly",

5 being "some positive aspects but some changes could be made" and

10 being "We are a leader in child and youth friendly practices".

 

This is designed to be printed and done communally. 

 

FEATURES OF CHILD AND YOUTH FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES

 

strollers, bike lanes and trails for walking, cycling or rollerblading (both for recreation and for travel) between key locations are wide enough

 

strollers, bike lanes and trails for walking, cycling or rollerblading (both for recreation and for travel) between key locations are well lit

 

strollers, bike lanes and trails for walking, cycling or rollerblading (both for recreation and for travel) between key locations have safe crossings, this is where most accidents occur

 

strollers, bike lanes and trails for walking, cycling or rollerblading (both for recreation and for travel) between key locations have protection from vehicles, preferably as a separate path

 

bike racks are located outside all public buildings, with enough space for bike trailers and easy to lock children’s bikes
    
programs are available that encourage walking or cycling to school (e.g., walking school buses, transportation cooperatives)
    
measures exist that ensure safe travel by school bus (e.g., pull-off lanes, supervision of children while getting on and off) traffic bylaws are in place and enforced

 

traffic crossings have sufficient time for children to cross the road public transit is designed for the safe transport of strollers and wheelchairs

 

every aspect of public transit is accessible to a someone travelling with a child in a stroller or a wheelchair

 

public transit accommodates the transportation of bikes including children’s bikes and bike trailers

 

every part of the transit system is safe and welcoming to young people

free or reduced-cost public transit system passes available for individuals and families with low incomes

 

late night public transit or alternative transportation is available for young people (e.g., parent-run carpools)

 

education is encouraged for public transit drivers on the needs of parents with young children, and of children/youth on their own traffic awareness training is offered for children

 

youth are involved in transportation planning

 

research and planning initiatives address the major causes and locations of traffic accidents involving children and youth

 

youth-led programs are available that help prevent unsafe driving by youth (e.g., drinking and driving prevention, young driver education)

 

programs and initiatives exist that encourage the use of safety equipment, such as bicycle helmets

 

street party permits are available that allow families to close the street off from traffic to encourage neighbourhood play

 

traffic-calmed areas are regulated near schools and parks

post and enforce much lower speed limits, particularly in urban areas

areas are available to help children and youth learn to ride their bikes and use their rollerblades, preferably with looping pathways

 

lowered curbs or ramps are present at every corner and crossing sidewalks are wide and have a natural separation from the road (e.g., grass separation)

 

a designated staff member or council member, is responsible for bringing the perspectives of young people to consideration of transport and land-use planning issues

 

motorized traffic is reduced by using vehicles more efficiently (e.g., car-sharing)

OUR COMMUNITY IS

1- UNFRIENDLY             5- OK                     10-A LEADER