These new signs are encouraging London students to walk or bike to school

More than a dozen new street signs went up in a central London, Ont.neighbourhood this week,encouraging students to walk or bike to school.

The signs, which were installedaround Lord Roberts Public School, are part of an Active and Safe Routes to School pilot project that has been implemented by schools across the region including in Elgin, Oxford and Middlesex Counties.

"It's working on trying to encourage people to choose active transportation when going to school or bringing kids to school," said Sara Middleton, a parent volunteer at Lord Roberts.

About 16 signs, also known as wayfinding signs, have been placed within a 1.5 kilometre radius from the school. They showhow long takes for a student to walk or bike to school from specific locations.

They're placed along safe routes and at bus stop locations.

"It's kind of nice that they're up now so that people will be able to see them as they're travelling around he neighbourhoods over summer as well," said Middleton.

Why are they doing this?

There are lots of reasons why active transportation is a good idea, said Middleton.

For starters, "it improves children's physical and mental health and helps them arrive at school alert and ready to learn," she said.

Middleton also said it works to create a safer school zone.

"It'sabout improving the flow of traffic, having less cars in the area at pick up or drop off times so that kids that are walking or riding bikes can do it safely.There's just less traffic around the school as well," she said.

Middleton said parents are encouraged to drop off their kids five minutes away from school and allowthem to walk or bike the rest of the way.

The pilot is supported by the Middlesex London Health Unit, City of London and the Thames Valley District School Board, among other organizations.

The signs arealso being placed at several other schools including:

• Emily Carr Public School
• St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Elementary School
• Notre Dame Catholic Elementary School
• St. Sebastian Catholic Elementary School
• St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School (Strathroy)
• Central Public School (Woodstock)