Research Papers (2009 – 2013)

Abstract

Making Tracks (MT) is an innovative program of Active & Safe Routes to School (ASRTS) of the Ecology Action Centre. It is approaching the end of its third year of offering experiential active transportation safety and skills training to children and youth in the province of Nova Scotia. Up until 2008, when the program was initially launched, such training had been essentially unavailable in the province. MT focuses on four transportation modes: walking, cycling, in-line skating and skateboarding. Following a train-the-trainer approach, older youth or adults learn the skills needed to teach other children and youth. The training sessions are offered over multiple encounters to allow participants to hone and build on their skills. MT is approved by the Nova Scotia Department of Education and connects with multiple physical education and leadership cross-curricular outcomes listed in the Public Schools Program. To date, MT has trained over 120 adult leaders and youth mentors to teach safety skills to 1250 children and youth. Evaluations over the past three years have shown positive results in terms of safety skills acquired by participants as well as increased interest in active transportation. More evaluation is required to determine if MT has a long-term effect on sustained use of active transportation modes, though preliminary results are encouraging.

J. McGowan, A. Foran