We invite all Calgary students in Kindergarten to Grade 12 to create an original 30-second video to promote safety while traveling on city streets, sidewalks and/or pathways. Videos can be funny, serious, live action, stop motion, animated, or a mix of styles. You are limited only by your imagination. 

Contest deadline is April 15, 2026.

For inquiries about the contest please contact StreetSafeKids@calgary.ca

Need help getting started? Check out the Helpful Tips section below.

1. Create your video according to the technical requirements outlined below
2. Submit your video to StreetSafeKids@calgary.ca with the following information:
   • The Safety Topic you choose
   • Title of video (if applicable)If entering as an individual, a group (2-5 members) or a class and include group members’ names; if entering as a Class, teacher’s name is sufficient
   • School name and grade(s)Link to view video (YouTube, Vimeo, etc.) – please do NOT attach the video, as it will be too large to receive.
   • Consent forms

For inquiries about the contest please contact StreetSafeKids@calgary.ca

Need help getting started? Check out the helpful tips section below.

Refers to the responsibility of all drivers to understand speed limits, follow them, and adjust their driving to match road, weather, traffic, and visibility conditions. Speed safety is about more than following rules—it’s about recognizing that every kilometre per hour matters. Driving at safe speeds helps create safer streets for everyone, no matter how they travel.

When exploring the topic of Speed Safety, consider ONE of the following angles:

Know the Limit, Drive Within It

1. Posted speed limits are designed to reflect the maximum safe speed for typical conditions on that roadway.
2. Safe driving means travelling at or below the posted limit and reducing speed further when conditions require it—such as poor weather, heavy traffic, low visibility, or areas with high foot traffic.
3. Driving within the limit gives drivers more time to see, react, and make safer choices.

The Dangers of Speeding

1. Higher speeds increase both the likelihood of a crash and the severity of injuries when one occurs.
2. Speeding reduces field of vision and increases the impact of force during a collision.
3. Even small increases in speed significantly reduce the time a driver has to respond to unexpected events, such as a pedestrian stepping off the curb or a cyclist entering a turning lane.

Speeding in Playground Zones

1. Playground zones are designed to protect children—who are unpredictable, smaller in stature, and harder for drivers to see.
2. Lower speed limits in these areas give drivers more time to react and provide children more time to cross safely.
3. Staying within the limit in playground zones is essential to creating safe spaces where children can move, play, and travel without unnecessary risk.

• Neighbourhood speed limits 
  Did you know that in Calgary, the standard unposted speed limit changed on May 31, 2021?
• Speeding Risks of Driving
  Speeding safety messages from AMA.

Includes all people moving through the transportation network, including drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and other micromobility users who are not fully paying attention to their surroundings.  When any traveler’s attention is divided, it increases the risk of errors, near-misses, and collisions. Distracted travel recognizes that safe streets rely on everyone being aware, alert, and engaged with their environment.

When exploring the topic of Distracted Travel, consider ONE of the following angles:

1. Physical distractions: Such as looking down at a phone, wearing headphones that limit awareness, or focusing on something other than the roadway or pathway.
2. Visual distractions: Like failing to look up when crossing the street or checking traffic too late.
3. Cognitive (mental) distractions: Where a person’s mind is preoccupied with stress, fatigue, conversations, or emotional distraction, which reduces the ability to recognize hazards or react in time.

• Calgary.ca/BeSafe
  Distracted driving is a serious issue that puts everyone at risk
• Distracted Driving
  Information from the RCMP and Government of Canada  

The practices, behaviours, and roadway conditions that help protect people who travel on foot or with a mobility device such as a wheelchair. It recognizes that safe pedestrian environments depend not only on pedestrians making safe choices, but also on the actions of drivers, cyclists, and others who share the road. Pedestrian safety is shared responsibility. Whether walking, driving, or biking, every road user plays a role in creating safer streets by staying aware, respecting right-of-way, and ensuring that sightlines and crossings remain clear and predictable.

When exploring the video topic of Pedestrian Safety, consider ONE of the following angles:

Safe crossing behaviours - rules for pedestrians

1. Cross at intersections, marked crosswalks, or pedestrian signals where visibility is higher and drivers expect foot traffic.
2. Make eye contact with drivers before stepping off the curb.
3. Pay attention to the environment, especially at intersections, driveways, parking lots, and turning lanes.
4. Pedestrians look for other pedestrians, such as children, older adults, people with mobility aids, or anyone who may need more time or space.

Safe driving & parking behaviour - rules for drivers

1. No double parking, which forces pedestrians into traffic lanes or blocks drivers’ sightlines.
2. Avoid parking too close to intersections or crosswalks, which reduces visibility for both pedestrians and approaching drivers.
3. Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and turning cautiously, especially where people may be crossing.

• Mobility Safety Education Toolkit
  Available to highlight and encourage traffic safety conversations with students.
• Pedestrians and Crosswalks
  Information pertaining to pedestrian safety and right of way.
• Pedestrian Safety
  Looking out for each other.
• Safe Parking Around Schools
  School zones are high-traffic areas during morning drop-offs and afternoon pick-ups, where unsafe parking often happens when drivers cut corners for convenience

Refers to the practices, behaviours, and roadway conditions that help keep people safe when travelling on bicycles, scooters, skateboards, rollerblades, and other wheeled devices. It recognizes that these travelers are more vulnerable because they rely on balance, visibility, and predictable interactions with others on the road or pathway. Cycling and wheeling safety is about staying alert, being visible, following the rules, and watching out for others.  

When exploring the topic of Cycling and Wheeling Safety, consider ONE of the following angles:

1. Using the Right Safety Gear: Such as wearing a properly fitted helmet, and using protective gear such as wrist guards, knee pads, and elbow pads—especially for skateboards and rollerblades; ensuring bikes and scooters have working lights, reflectors, and bells, and/or wearing bright or reflective clothing to stay visible in all lighting conditions.
   
2. Safe Travel Behaviours: Riding in a predictable, straight line and avoiding sudden swerves or weaving. Using hand signals or clear body language to communicate turns and stops. Following the rules of the road or pathway, including yielding where appropriate, obeying signals, and sharing space respectfully with pedestrians and other riders.
3. Respecting Shared Spaces: Passing pedestrians and slower riders with care, giving audible signals (bell or voice) and leaving ample room.  Yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks or shared-use paths and adjusting speed in crowded or mixed mode areas. Being mindful around children, older adults, or anyone who may move unpredictably.

• Sharing the road safely
  A few things you should know about safely sharing our roads and pathways with others.
• Cycling Bylaws & Safety Tips
  City of Calgary Bylaws related to cycling on city streets and pathways and best safety practices.
• Cycling Education
  Know the laws and best practices for sharing travel spaces. 

• Get creative! Videos can be funny, serious, live action, animated, stop motion or a mix of styles.
• Not everyone in your group is required to be “on screen” – there are many roles that go into creating a video including script writing, directing, videography, etc.
• Each Travel Topic has several different sub-topics you can explore. For example, Back to School Traffic Safety could explore congestion issues, encouraging parents/drivers to park safely, blocking crosswalks, speeding OR reminding people of the dangers of jaywalking. Be sure to pick just one safety concern to explore.
• Storyboarding your scenes and writing down dialogue can help keep your message on track. Note that 60-75 spoken words takes about 30 seconds of film.
• Make sure you slow down and speak clearly (if using audio) and try not to rush through messaging. Ask your friends to view and provide feedback.

• Focus on the most essential information. It is better to have a single, simple and clear message rather than try to cram too much into one video.
• Avoid using statistics, if possible.
• Plan it out: what are the images, sounds and locations you might want to use to create your video? Remember, you cannot use any copyrighted music, audio/video clips, characters, logos, or other protected materials. (If your clothing or accessories have a label on them, they must be covered, blurred out or removed.)
• You do not need fancy equipment to make a video – it can easily be done with a smart phone, tablet, or laptop; the Calgary Public Library offers public access to audio & video recording equipment and post-production studios.
• Ask your friends or family to view your video and provide feedback.