Active Transportation
Active transportation is any form of human-powered transportation. Walking, cycling, wheeling, in-line skating, skateboarding, and ice skating are all forms of active transportation. It can also involve combining modes such as walking/cycling with public transit.
Also visit Wikipedia for Human Powered Transportation, Car Free Days and Car Free Movement.
What are the Benefits?
Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit: Walkable Communities; Healthy Communities
Making the Case for Active Transportation (Source: Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute)
What does an Active Transportation Community look like?
Active Transportation Barrie is a community based working group that brings active transportation stakeholders and community partners together to focus on the common goal of promoting and facilitating active transportation initiatives in Barrie. City of Barrie Council approved thirteen recommendations supporting active transportation through Council Motion 08-G-472 based on the outcome of an Active Transportation Workshop held by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit and hosted by the City of Barrie in 2008. One of those recommendations included forming an Active Transportation Working Group. The Group currently meets every third Thursday of the month from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Georgian Room, 2nd Floor Barrie City Hall at 70 Collier Street. All are welcome. Please see posted minutes. If you would like to be added to the email distribution list for meeting minutes, please send an email to Wendy Loevenmark, Landscape Architectural Planner at wloevenmark@barrie.ca. The Terms of Reference for the Working Group are also posted on this web page.
New Initiatives: Bike Lockers and Replacement Bike Racks
As part of the City of Barrie’s continuing commitment to an Active Transportation lifestyle, three new bicycle lockers and two new Streetpod bike racks are being installed by the rear entrance to City Hall for use by the public and City staff. Up to six cyclists will be able to store their bike in a separate locker compartment secured with their own personal lock. There is currently no rental fee associated with their use. Both frame and wheels can be secured with one lock on the Streetpod unit. These bike racks are also being installed at several Recreation Centres throughout the city to replace the older metal “wheel bender” style of bike racks. All units are expected to be installed by the end of August.
Once the installations are complete, a list of rules and locker protocol will also be posted (see below). In fairness to all staff and the public, please ensure that your lock and contents are removed at the end of each day. These lockers are provided for use on a “first-come-first-served” basis.
Locker Rules of Use:
1. Lockers are on a first-come-first-serve basis.
2. Use at Own Risk.
3. U-bolt shaped locks work best. Check for secure closure if cable or chain locks are used.
4. Personal locks and contents are to be removed at the end of each day.
5. Any personal contents and locks left on overnight will be removed by the City without compensation to the Owner.
Report any concerns or issues to City Hall reception.
What's Happening in Barrie
1. Walking School Bus
Johnson Street Public School
Why not start your own walking school bus. For further information click here
2. Firebird Community Cycle - Barrie Central Collegiate
Firebird Community Cycle accepts donations of old bikes and then rips some apart for parts to rebuild others. The program also gets bikes to families who might not be able to afford them. For further information click here.
Take Action
Source:
Public Health Agency of Canada
Here are some tips to help you adopt more active modes of transportation:
- Think twice about using your car for every trip. Could you walk or use your bike to visit friends?
- Dust off your bicycle and 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/school.
- Instead of driving your kids to the park, why not make it a family outing on your bikes.
- If you are moving, think about the transportation options available to you in the new locations you are considering. How far will the distance be to the places you regularly need to get to? Could you walk to do most of your small errands? How far away is the nearest school for your child? Is this new neighbourhood 'pedestrian friendly'?
But keep in mind, it's not just up to an individual to adopt active transportation, our communities, workplaces and schools must also support active transportation.
Communities that endorse active transportation
- have dedicated bicycle lanes and routes;
- advocate for sharing the road with cyclists;
- undertake specific measures to ensure the safe integration of pedestrians, cyclists and other active users among motorized vehicle traffic;
- regularly maintain and upgrade pedestrian and cycling facilities;
- provide storage for bicycles throughout the city;
- have an integrated network of pedestrian and cycling paths that are designed for efficient transportation as well as recreation;
- favour urban design that reduces the distances that people have to travel to get to work, retail areas, schools and recreational/leisure pursuits;
- encourage the retail and service sectors to support customers who use active modes of transportation;
- plan streetscapes to be visually pleasing and inviting to pedestrians;
- have a network of green spaces throughout the urban and suburban areas;
- make access to public transit easily integrated with pedestrian and cycling facilities to encourage intermodal travel;
- encourage driver education about how to share the road with multi-users; and
- encourage feedback from citizens, pedestrian and cycling advocacy groups.
Workplaces that endorse active transportation
- support and encourage their employees to adopt active transportation;
- provide secure bicycle storage, lockers and shower facilities for employees;
- allow more flexible dress codes;
- organize workplace challenges, employee recognition programs or support community events to increase awareness;
- work with municipal planners to map out safe and efficient routes to work and to address infrastructure or safety problems;
- emphasize reduced motorized transportation while at work, and encourage more active modes;
- provide or subsidize safe cycling or in-line skating clinics for their employees.
- Ecological commuting
- Schools that endorse active transportation:
- support and encourage their students to adopt an active way to get to school;
- work with the municipality to identify safe routes for children while addressing safety and infrastructure barriers;
- encourage parents to form 'escorted walks' to and from school for young neighbourhood children;
- have teachers work with children to identify the safest routes to get to school while teaching children about traffic and pedestrian safety;
- offer cycling and in-line skating skill and safety courses;
- work with parents, motorists and the community at large, to make the trip to school a safe trip for children and youth.
Helpful Links
