Safe Travel Tips for the Start of the School Year

As students return to school, we ask families and drivers to make safety a priority when travelling to and from school.

Whether students walk, cycle, ride the bus, use an e-bike or scooter, or arrive by car, everyone has a role to play in creating safe routes to school.

The start of the school year brings more traffic around schools, busy pick-up and drop-off areas, and more students travelling independently. A little extra patience and attention can help keep everyone safe.

School Zone Reminders for Drivers

School zones are some of the busiest places in our communities during the school year. Drivers are reminded to:

• Slow down and obey posted school zone speed limits.
• Watch for children crossing streets, stepping out from between parked vehicles, or riding bicycles.
• Yield to pedestrians and follow crosswalk signals.
• Avoid distractions, including cell phones.
• Leave extra time during busy drop-off and pick-up periods.
• Be patient around school buses and follow all bus safety laws.

Children may not always judge speed and distance accurately. Extra caution around schools can make a significant difference.

Walking and Cycling Safely

Walking and cycling are healthy ways for students to get to school. Families are encouraged to review safe travel habits with their children, including:

• Use designated crosswalks whenever possible.
• Make eye contact with drivers before crossing.
• Stay alert and avoid distractions from phones or headphones.
• Wear bright or reflective clothing, especially during darker mornings and afternoons.
• Wearing a properly fitted bicycle helmet.

In BC, cyclists must follow the same general rules of the road as drivers, including obeying traffic signs and signals and yielding to pedestrians. Bicycle helmets are required for riders of all ages.

E-Bikes and E-Scooters: Know the Rules

More students are using e-bikes and other personal transportation devices to travel to and from school. These devices can be a convenient way to commute, but students need to understand how to use them safely and responsibly.

Families are encouraged to discuss:

• Following traffic laws and road signs.
• Respecting pedestrians and other road users.
• Wearing a helmet at all times.
• Staying alert and avoiding distractions.
• Riding safely during busy arrival and dismissal times.

Under BC regulations, riders must meet minimum age requirements and follow provincial rules for e-bikes and e-scooters. Families should make sure any device used by a student is legal and appropriate for use on public roads.

Safety on School Property

School grounds can be especially busy before and after school as students, families, buses, and vehicles move through the same spaces.

Students arriving by bike, e-bike, scooter, or other personal transportation device should slow down when approaching school property and give priority to pedestrians. To help keep everyone safe, riders should dismount and walk their device on school grounds.

Students should also:

• Follow school-specific expectations for parking and securing their device.
• Use designated bike racks.
• Keep walkways and entrances clear.
• Avoid riding through crowded areas.

E-bikes and scooters should be locked at bike racks during the school day. These devices should not be stored inside the school, and charging is not available on school property.

Families should also be aware that not all motorized devices are classified as e-bikes under provincial regulations. Some devices may not be legal for use on public roads and may require licensing, registration, or insurance.

Working Together for a Safe School Year

Safe travel to and from school is a shared responsibility. By slowing down, staying alert, following the rules of the road, and modelling safe behaviour, we can help ensure every student arrives safely each day.

School District 72 wishes all students, families, and staff a safe and successful start to the school year.