Grant: Catalyst Gr: Disease Prev./Risk Factor Modification - Non-communicable diseases

Physical activity in childhood is important to encourage lifelong healthy lifestyles and to reduce the risk of obesity and its associated chronic conditions. However, most Canadian children do not meet physical activity guidelines. Active school transportation (AST), which includes walking and cycling, is a means for regular physical activity that can easily be incorporated into daily routines. AST may also increase children's exposure to road traffic. However, AST can be increased without increasing pedestrian motor vehicle collisions (PMVC) as long as the built environment is safe. Social risk factors (e.g. income, immigrant status) may affect individual behaviour related to AST and PMVC. Children from low income areas may walk more yet are at a greater risk of PMVC, because they are less likely to benefit from measures that can minimize risk. Traffic calming for example, is traditionally allocated according to public request, and is more likely to be found in higher income neighborhoods. This project will examine area-level social risk factors (i.e. material deprivation, ethnic concentration and immigration characteristics) and their relationship to AST and child PMVC. The effect of road design (i.e. walkability, transit accessibility, vehicle speed/volume and traffic calming density) on the relationship between area-level social risk factors and AST and child PMVC will be examined. Equitable design of safe roadways has the potential to change the social inequities in AST and child PMVC. Toronto's new Vision Zero Road Safety Plan 2.0, has committed to reduce these inequities through changes to the roadway built environment. Walking must be safe to change individual behaviour related to active transportation. Built environment interventions are the most successful approach to improve safety. The results will have policy implications in terms of equitable interventions related to the design of safer streets and Toronto's Vision Zero Road Safety Plan.