Bradford West Gwillimbury Encourages Families to Get ‘On the Move’

Community-Wide Program Promotes Active Travel for Healthier Kids and Safer Streets

Families across BWG are being encouraged to lace up their shoes and roll out their wheels as part of On the Move — a local initiative that promotes walking and wheeling to school for healthier, more active children and safer communities.

The On the Move program has been in place across Simcoe Muskoka since 2019, with several local schools already participating. Now, organizers are calling on more parents, students, and community members in BWG to get involved and help expand the program’s impact throughout the municipality.

Led by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit in partnership with municipalities, school boards, and community organizations, On the Move is designed to make walking and wheeling a regular part of the school journey. It encourages children to build daily physical activity into their routines while reducing traffic congestion, improving air quality, and enhancing safety in school zones.

“Walking or wheeling just a few blocks can make a big difference,” said Christine Bushey, Manager of the Chronic Disease Prevention Program at the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit. “We’ve seen success in a number of schools already, and now we want to engage even more families to help shape safe, healthy travel habits in BWG.”

As part of the expansion of the On the Move initiative, BWG will work closely with schools, school boards, local community organizations, the health unit, and municipal staff to identify barriers that may make it difficult for students to bus, walk or wheel to and from school. Once these challenges are understood, collaborative efforts will be made to develop action plans that address safety concerns and get students excited about using active transportation.

In addition, BWG will be working over the summer and into the fall with local schools to create materials and participation packages that help schools feel supported and equipped to get involved. These resources aim to make it easier for educators, parents, and students to take part in the program and build a stronger culture of active school travel across the community.

There are many benefits to students using active transportation, including:

Increased physical activity
Improved physical and mental health
Arriving at school alert and ready to learn
Less stress and greater happiness
Less pollution due to reduced vehicle travel to school
Reduced traffic congestion around schools
Increased safety for our children and all road users

Parents, caregivers, and residents are invited to support the initiative by joining local school committees, identifying safe travel routes, or simply walking and biking with their children when possible.

Key goals of On the Move include:

Encouraging more students to walk or wheel to school or the bus stop daily
Reducing traffic congestion in school zones and improving safety
Promoting physical and mental health and well-being among children
Supporting community connection and environmental sustainability

“We want to create a culture where active travel is part of everyday life,” said James Leduc, Mayor of Bradford West Gwillimbury. “The more families participate, the more we can achieve together.”

To learn more about On the Move and how you can get involved, visit:
https://www.simcoemuskokahealth.org/topics/PhysicalActivity/on-the-move

For local information or to join BWG’s efforts, please contact your school principal or reach out to OTMsimcoemuskoka@smdhu.org .

Let’s get BWG On the Move — together.