Active Transportation

The meaning of active transportation Active transportation is using your own power to get from one place to another. This includes:

• walking

• biking

• skateboarding

• in-line skating/rollerblading

• jogging and running

• non-mechanized wheel chairing

• snowshoeing and cross-country skiing Active transportation benefits our:

• health

• society

• transportation system

• environment

• economy

This is because active transportation:

• gives us an opportunity to be physically active on a regular basis

• is accessible to Canadians and increases social exchanges

• reduces road congestion

• contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions

• saves money on gas and parking Designing communities to support active transportation

Designing communities to support active transportation means building communities with a mix of areas for different purposes:

• residential

• commercial

• educational

• employment

It means connected streets and good access to destinations.

How to build active transportation into your life

Getting outside and moving around is a good way to find out if your community is designed to support an active lifestyle. Make the best use of what your community has to offer.

• Think twice about using your car for every trip. Could you walk or use your bike instead?

• Dust off your bicycle. Cycle to work when the weather permits.

• Trade in your dress shoes for running shoes. Strap on a backpack and walk all, or part of the way to work or school.

• Instead of driving your kids to the park, walk or make it a family outing on your bikes.

If you are thinking about moving, think about the transportation options available to you in the new locations:

• Is this neighbourhood “pedestrian friendly?”

• Could you walk to do most of your small errands?

• How far away is the nearest school for your child?

• How far will the distance be to those places you regularly need to reach? Source: canada.ca/en