With summer vacations winding down, families throughout Burlington are looking to go back to school and work next week. Try adding some of these sustainable travel options when planning your new routine to get to work, school, or elsewhere around Burlington!
Walking and Rolling
Ontario Active School Travel has resources and materials for families looking to start walking or biking to school, including safety tips for young pedestrians, checklists for parents, and games like traffic signs bingo!
Looking to plan your cycling route? Try out the City of Burlington’s Interactive Cycling Map. Our cycling webpage also has information on routes, safety tips, bike maintenance, and more!
Also, keep an eye out for International Walk to School Month (iWalk) in October. Ask your school if it’s participating. If it’s not, encourage your school’s principal to register to help support the movement by encouraging walking in your school community!
E-Bikes and E-Scooters
Taking an e-bike or e-scooter is a fun, low-carbon way to get to school or to work, but there are several important rules to remember:
E-Scooters
- You must be at least 16 years old to ride an e-scooter. Riders between the ages of 16 and 18 are required to wear a properly sized and fitted helmet.
- You can ride personal and rented e-scooters using the SCOOTY app on the Centennial Trail between Brant Street, the Elgin Promenade and Burloak Drive.
- No e-scooters, including personal e-scooters are allowed on any other pathway, trail, sidewalk or public road in the City of Burlington.
Read the rules about operating e-scooters in Burlington
E-Bikes
- You must be at least 16 years old to ride on or operate an e-bike. All riders must wear a properly sized and fitted helmet.
- You can ride an e-bike on public roads and streets, but not on sidewalks, trails or parks in Burlington.
Read the rules about operating e-bikes in Burlington
Public Transit
Taking public transit is another sustainable and affordable way to commute to school or work.
Did you know that paying your fare with a PRESTO card can give you free rides?
- Children under 12 ride free when travelling with a parent or guardian
- Youth 13 to 19 ride for free on weekdays after 6pm and on weekends
- Adults 20 to 64 ride for free after 40 taps in a calendar month
- Seniors 65+ ride for free always
Full-time students from Brock University – Burlington Campus, McMaster University, Mohawk College and Redeemer University can get unlimited trips on Burlington Transit with a $32 monthly U-Pass Add-on. To get this add-on, bring your student card and proof of enrollment to the Burlington Transit Customer Service counter in the Burlington GO Station at 2101 Fairview St.
Learn more about Burlington Transit fares
Driving and Anti-Idling
Of course, walking, biking, and scootering aren’t always possible for everyone, and sometimes driving is simply the most practical option. Carpooling and parking your vehicle a block away and walking the rest of the way are great ways to reduce emissions and ease school traffic improving school safety.
Smart Commute Halton Municipalities offers a dedicated online network for employees to find fellow carpoolers to share rides and measure the impact of their travel choices through their Smart Commute App.
Another easy habit to adopt is turning your engine off while waiting during school drop-off or pickup.
Idling wastes fuel, adds wear to your engine, and releases unnecessary emissions further contributing to climate change and poor air quality. In Burlington, unnecessary idling for more than one minute may result in a $120 fine.
Take Action Burlington! By making small changes in our daily commuting habits this back-to-school season, we can reduce our emissions. Collectively, we can make a difference in creating a healthier planet.
Take Action Burlington 