What is Active Transportation?
Active Transportation is any form of transportation that’s powered by human energy. These activities can include:
- Walking.
- Cycling.
- Rollerblading.
- Skateboarding.
- Scooters.
- Use of mobility aid tools.
Active transportation can be part of an everyday routine. Use it to get to work, school, go shopping or to visit friends and family. Combine active transportation with public transit, such as walking to the bus stop.
What are the benefits to Active Transportation?
- Health – provides an opportunity to be physically active on a regular basis.
- Social – is accessible to Canadians and increases social interactions.
- Transportation – reduces road congestion.
- Environmental – is environmentally-friendly and can contribute to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
- Economic – saves money on gas and parking.
How does Midland plan to promote Active Transportation?
The Town of Midland has a Multi-Modal Transportation Plan that promotes active transportation:
- Dedicated bicycle lanes and routes.
- Advocate for sharing the road with cyclists.
- Regularly maintain and upgrade pedestrian and cycling facilities.
- Have an integrated network of pedestrian and cycling paths that are designed for efficient transportation as well as recreation.
- Make access to public transit easily integrated with pedestrian and cycling facilities.
- Expanding active transportation infrastructure to include a network of on-road bicycle lanes, shared cycling and multi-use pathways.
How can students use Active Transportation?
On the Move is an active school travel initiative to get kids more physically active. On the Move provides tools for teachers and parents. This is led by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit in partnership with several local school boards, schools, municipalities and community partners.
Active school travel brings many benefits to children, youth, and families as well as the school environment and the overall community:
- Walking and wheeling gives kids the chance to get to know their neighbourhood and develop confidence and independence.
- Walking and wheeling creates opportunities to learn valuable pedestrian and cycling skills and safety.
- More students and families walking or wheeling to school makes everyone easier to see and puts more eyes on the street for safety.
- Fewer cars around schools reduces traffic congestion, improves safety and decreases harmful air pollution.
- Active school travel is an easy and fun way for families to reduce their carbon footprint, fight against climate change and support a healthy environment.
- Making time for kids to walk and wheel to and from school is a healthy habit that can last a lifetime.
- Parents/caregivers can role model healthy behaviours and benefit from the physical activity too.
- School zones and other community environments that support walking and wheeling are more inviting and accessible to people with different needs.