Active transportation (Public Health Agency of Canada) is defined as a human powered way of transportation, such as walking, cycling, or skateboarding. Everybody travels every day to live, learn, work and play. It is important to reduce the dependency on motorized vehicle use and make smart choices about transportation. We all have a part to play to live longer healthier lives. Walking and cycling are key contributors to improve health through increased physical activity.
Health benefits
Many health benefits are obtained through active transportation:
It is a great way to fit some physical activity into your day.
It is an accessible means of transportation.
It offers opportunities to meet new people.
It is a less expensive way to travel.
it can help reduce road congestion and greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to air pollution.
Tips to begin:
Before jumping in your motorized vehicle, ask yourself whether walking or cycling to your destination is possible.
When going out with your children (to the beach, park, etc.) consider making it a family bike ride or a family walk.
Consider using public transportation.
Walk to school (Ontario Active School Travel) with your kids. Encourage children to walk, bike, or wheel to school.
In recent years, our regular routines were disrupted, leading many caregivers to drive their children to and from school.
Now is the time to revisit our school-day patterns and plan so that children can walk, bike, or wheel to and from school. This is a free, easy, and effective way to include physical activity into the day.
If active travel to school is not possible, consider walking to and from bus stops. Even a short, 5-minute walk each day can have a positive impact. Every bit of activity adds up and contributes to a healthier lifestyle. Learn more about active routes to school.
According to the 24 Hour Movement Guidelines, children should be engaging in at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity daily. Currently:
41% of 5 to 17-year-olds use active modes of transportation (walking or biking)
46% use inactive modes (cars or buses)
13% use a combination of both for their school travel
Fewer than 1 in 5 children and youth met the 24 Hour Movement Guidelines for physical activity, sedentary behaviour (such as screen time), and sleep patterns.
(2022 ParticipACTION Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth)
Engaging in active school travel offers many benefits for children, parents, and the community as a whole. Key benefits include:
supports cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and overall fitness
maintains a healthy weight
promotes better coordination and balance
releases endorphins, which are natural mood boosters, that can help reduce stress, anxiety, and feelings of depression
provides a positive start to the day; enhances concentration; improves cognitive function, focus in the classroom, and school performance in children
reduces our reliance on motor vehicles, which can decrease greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution
contributes to a cleaner and healthier environment for all
allows children to become more familiar with their neighbourhood’s streets and crossings, fostering better road safety awareness and pedestrian skills
reduces traffic congestion around school premises helping make drop-off and pick-up times safer and more efficient
being active with peers or parents provides opportunities for social interaction, promoting a sense of community and belonging
empowers children to become more independent and responsible for their daily commute, enhancing their self-confidence
helps regulate sleep patterns, ensuring children are well rested and more alert during school hours
are more likely to develop lifelong habits of regular physical activity, if children encouraged from a young age
can lower the risk of developing chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers through daily physical activity
Encouraging children to walk, bike, or wheel to school is an excellent initiative that promotes active lifestyles, safety, community walkability, and sustainability. For more information on active school travel, visit Ontario Active School Travel. Here are some resources and strategies to work toward active school travel:
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Establish or join a walking school bus, where a group of children walk to school together. This promotes safety in numbers and fosters a sense of community.
Build or join a bike train. Similar to walking school buses, bike trains involve groups of students cycling together to school.
Find a SRTS program. SRTSs focus on creating safer walking and biking routes to schools, reducing traffic congestion, and improving pedestrian infrastructure.
Educate children about pedestrian and bicycle safety to learn the rules of the road and proper safety precautions.
Organize fun challenges to encourage active commuting, such as walking, biking, or wheeling to school. Offer incentives and rewards for participants to motivate them.
Work with your child’s school to develop a travel plan that promotes walking, biking, or wheeling. This plan can include infrastructure improvements, policies, and educational initiatives.
Advocate for safer sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, bike lanes, and traffic calming measures in your community to make walking, biking, or wheeling to school more appealing and secure.
Promote the use of public transportation for longer distances if walking, biking, or wheeling is not feasible. Public transportation is generally more sustainable than private car use.
Encourage parents to actively participate in these initiatives and set an example by walking, biking, or wheeling with their children to school.
Educate children about the importance of sustainable transportation choices for reducing pollution and protecting the environment.
Organize community events, such as walking, biking, or wheeling events, to raise awareness and celebrate active and sustainable transportation.
Look for online resources and apps that can help plan safe and efficient routes to school, including those that consider pedestrian-and cyclist-friendly paths.
By involving the community, parents, schools, and local authorities, you can create a positive impact and encourage more students to embrace these travel modes.
