Schools In Canada Get More Bike Parking

One of the big issues in Portland this year has been around bike parking, especially covered parking. As families start biking to school year round there is a growing demand for better bike parking facilities.

Canada has developed a unique solution to this problem as well general solutions to help the environment. The Canadian government hands out “Green Apple” grants. They are $1,000 mini grants that parents and schools can apply for (they have to get approved by the school first). The application process is incredibly easy and straight forward. Each “providence” gets $1 million (canadian dollars) to hand out the grants. There are a lot of cleaning projects, school gardens, guest speakers, and also bike racks.

Here is the description from their website:

This initiative from Metro was created to encourage students to participate in the development of a healthier environment. Since it was introduced in the fall of 2009, the program has rallied thousands of students from Ontario and Quebec and encouraged them to become involved in their school and make a difference in their community.
Metro has awarded hundreds of $1,000 grants to elementary and high schools with ideas for green projects in their communities and the company will distribute up to $1 million dollars for this program.

I wonder if this would be a better way to improve our schools? Instead of spending $10 million on half a million of sidewalk create something like this and empower lots of different schools to get involved and find their own solutions? Here is the article about the new bike parking facilities in Canada.