What is active transportation & why is it important?
By definition, active transportation is any form of human-powered travel, with the most popular forms being walking, wheeling or cycling. But, given that public transit trips include a portion of active transportation at the beginning and end of every journey (walking to-and-from a local bus stop or train station), taking public transit is another popular form that is available to most people living in Canada.
Whether it’s trips to the mall, grocery store or to-and-from school or work, leaving your car at home can be the perfect way to work some active minutes into your week. Remember, adults (18 years or older) need 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity each week, while children and youth (five to 17) require 60 minutes of physical activity every single day.
Unfortunately, as noted in the 2022 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth, not nearly enough kids living in Canada are reaping the benefits that come along with getting active as a means of transportation. In fact, only 41% of children and youth typically use active transportation. We need to be doing more to incorporate active modes of transportation into our everyday lives.
Improve a lot more than just your health
The benefits of active transportation extend far beyond the physical, as leaving your car at home from time to time will also leave a positive impact on the environment. With less cars on the road, you will be helping promote better air quality while reducing harmful emissions.
Oh, and all that saved gas money can work wonders on your budget. What’s not to love about that?
Whether you’re bringing the kids to school, getting to work or simply going to the store to do some shopping, active transportation can help you live your best life possible.
We’ve put together a few pointers to help you do just that. Check out the following tips on how to make active transportation a key part of your weekly routine.
- Start small – Trying something new, anything new, can be daunting. Uncertainty leads to anxiety and anxiety leads to an unwillingness to push yourself. Don’t overdo it; start small and walk or wheel to school or work only once or twice a week (or even part way, depending on the distance between home and your final destination). Then, once you get more comfortable, push the number of days you leave the car at home to three or four. Pretty soon, the days you use the car will be far outnumbered by the days you don’t.
- Use Google to get going – You use it in the car all the time to get from Point-A to Point-B, so why not try the same but without the car? Next time you are planning your route, switch the option from driving to walking or cycling. It might take you a bit longer, but the most efficient route will be laid-out for you in seconds.
- Try something new – Sure, walking and biking are the two most popular forms of active transportation, but there are many different ways you can actively move around. Hit up a neighbour and borrow their scooter or ask your nephew or granddaughter if you can borrow their rollerblades or skateboard. As long as you are wearing the right protective gear and are taking your time, you can have a lot of fun while (safely) getting to where you need to be.
