A School Street is a car-free block beside a school that is open to walking, rolling, and biking during drop-off and pick-up times. Vehicles are not permitted to enter or exit the area when a School Street is in effect. The goal is to make it safe and fun for kids to walk, cycle, or use a wheeled device to get to/from school.

Benefits of a School Street:

• Safer environment in front of the school
• Independent mobility for kids
• Learning healthy habits
• Social connections
• Improved air quality
• Reduced congestion

Schools Streets are a school-led initiative that requires the coordination of many parties including school administrators, parent associations, and the District of Saanich.

School administrators and/or the PAC will coordinate and implement the School Street. This includes organizing volunteers to place signs and cones in the street during closure times, informing the homeowners located in the closure area with notification cards provided by the District of Saanich, and communicating with students and parents about the new initiative and providing details about when, where, and why its happening.

Saanich staff will support schools to organize and run their own School Streets. We can help complete the permit and we can provide signage, traffic cones, and high-visibility vests to be used during the street closures. We are also happy to answer any questions and we could be available to attend a PAC meeting to discuss your plans.

If your school is interested in starting a school street please send an email to engineering@saanich.ca to get started.