Simply put, Active Transportation (AT) is any travel that is human powered and non-motorized. The term was first coined by Go for Green in 1994. Now when you Google it, you get 468 million hits. Initially, AT focused on alternatives to cars for short trips to and from work or school or the shopping plaza. Today, the definition is much broader and appeals to a larger audience.
Every day, people of all ages and abilities are choosing more active, participatory forms of transportation. The reasons vary as much as the people do.
Carol, who lives in Bedford but works in downtown Halifax, runs to work three days a week. She’s training for a marathon and uses the time when she would normally be stuck in traffic.
In good weather, Michael paddles across the Northwest Arm and then walks to work. This saves him time trying to find parking and the early morning exercise improves his work performance.
Becca inline skates to her university classes because she can’t afford a vehicle and skating is quicker than walking.
Twelve-year-old Gabe, a budding environmentalist, bikes the six kilometres to school every day and on the weekends, rides his skateboard to the park or the community centre. He likes being able to get himself around and not rely on his parents to drive him. He also enjoys knowing that he's helping the earth by not always using their family car.
Contrary to what some might think, AT is not just for young city folk. Carol is in her fifties and Michael is nearing retirement, and there are scores of other seniors and retirees on the trails and waterways and streets of our province. Those who live in rural areas aren't exempt either. In fact, they may have even more opportunity to be creative with modes of travel than urban dwellers, utilizing horses, skis, snowshoes, skates, and kayaks to arrive at their destination.
As you can see, AT can be viewed as simply an alternative way to travel, but it's really much more than that. For many busy parents, getting around using their own steam has also turned into a recreational or leisure opportunity - their walk or cycle to work may be one of the only times they get to have outdoor activity and be alone!
The beauty of AT is that it has so many benefits to ourselves, each other, and our environment. It improves our physical and mental health, reduces greenhouse gas emissions that lead to climate change, reduces air and noise pollution, and helps to make our neighbourhoods less congested and more liveable.
