Active Transportation – a proactive approach to promoting physical activity in Annapolis County!
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 30 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.
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 livable.
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 and include, but are not limited to -cycling , walking, hiking, paddling, in-line skating, skateboarding, snow-shoeing, cross country skiing - to work, to school, to running errands and for fun.
AT can encourage folks to use local transits systems and to explore other communities and get them into the physical activity habit.
Annapolis County in partnership with the towns of Annapolis Royal, Bridgetown and Middleton have developed an Active Living Strategy and are working towards getting people into the physical activity habit. Creating change is all about opportunities and breaking down barriers and we are leading the way with projects such as Canoe Annapolis County, Bicycle Annapolis County, the Annapolis County Outdoor Recreation Map, and the Annapolis County Share the Road Campaign to name only a few.
Successful AT is about improving infrastructure and creating a built environment for people to take part in all of those active recreation opportunities that will lead to a more active healthy lifestyle. It is about assessing the barriers that can create better walking, cycling networks and to find ways to make them safer and more accessible.
For more information refer to the following website http://www.pathwaysforpeople.ca and/or read a copy Nova Scotia Pathways for People - Framework for Action Nov 2006 http://www.gov.ns.ca/hpp/physicalactivity/publications/P4PFramework.pdf
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS studies indicate that two-thirds of Nova Scotians are not active enough to achieve health benefits; and
WHEREAS active transportation, including walking, biking and other modes of non-motorized travel within the community, can have a significant positive impact on health; and
WHEREAS active transportation is an easy, low-cost activity that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and parking costs;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Municipality of the County of Annapolis support and endorse the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities’ Resolution 20A - to make active transportation a priority through partnering to promote active transportation strategies among the membership (our communities) and with other government agencies, and to advocate for improved roads and other infrastructure to develop and encourage safe walking, cycling and other active transportation opportunities for both Nova Scotians and visitors.
