Promoting Active Transportation in Your Workplace
Quick Facts:
Active transportation includes walking, cycling, and taking transit. The benefits of active transportation are significant to individuals, our community, and the environment. They are enjoyable, efficient, affordable, healthy, sociable, quiet, and less-polluting forms of transportation.
Walking:
Walking to work is a great way to build activity into your daily routine. It’s relaxing and healthy too – you can burn up to 350 calories per hour. The average person can walk half a kilometre in just over five minutes; if your commute is three kilometers one way, that’s 30 minutes each way.
Cycling:
Some 60% of the population in Ontario is interested in cycling more, but are afraid to ride in traffic. Cycling education can improve confidence in one’s ability to cycle for utilitarian purposes. It is the Region’s goal to facilitate cycling education for all ages and skill levels.
Transit:
Ever thought of transit as an active form of transportation? A recent study has found that because transit trips often involve walking to and from stops, users are more likely to meet the recommended 30 minutes of moderate physical activity a day.
What’s in it For You:
For employers, making your workplace conducive to active commuters does not have to involve a large financial investment. Many initiatives can be implemented quickly and easily. Employers who encourage active commuting in their workplace will see many benefits, including a happier and healthier workforce, and better success in the areas of employee recruitment and retention. In addition, increasing the number of people cycling, walking, and taking transit to work can also reduce parking needs by directly reducing demand for parking spaces. Further, encouraging active and sustainable commuting is one way that businesses can demonstrate their commitment to environmental stewardship.
Resources:
This organization accredits the CAN-BIKE bike skills training program in Canada.
Learn more about urban cycling including resources on how to start and maintain a Bicycle User Group in your workplace (a group that works to improve conditions for cycling in their workplace or who wish to commute together).
Take advantage of over 500 kilometers of on-road and off-road bikeways and trails across Waterloo Region. Grand River Transit has bike racks on the front of all buses. Learn how to use them today!
EasyGo trip planner helps you get where you want to go. For your best route and schedule, check out Grand River Transit’s trip planner to get you to work or to your next business meeting.
Enjoy a corporate rate transit pass for employees when an employer signs up for the corporatepass program with Grand River Transit. This convenient payroll deduction program is the easiest way to take transit.
This document presents a broad “case for TDM” that shows the benefits of TDM initiatives in the Canadian context.
The Ontario Bike Plan outlines where our province should be headed in terms of cycling. It builds the case for why we should be creating supportive environments for people to cycle.
Geared Up! The Essentials of Adult Bicycling.
This DVD explores equipment, roadway riding, shared use paths and night riding. To borrow this DVD contact the Public Health Resource Centre at 519-883-2256.
Mark Your Calendars – Upcoming Events:
Project Health Networking Session – Active Transportation: Resources to Promote Walking, Cycling and Transit in your Workplace
April 16, 2009, 12:00 noon- 2:00pm
Register at www.projecthealth.ca to learn how to reduce your parking needs, access information and training for employees who would like to cycle to work and discover ways to support and encourage employees to be active commuters.
Cycling Courses. CAN-BIKE courses will be offered throughout the region. CAN-BIKE is the only accredited bicycle safety training program available in Canada. CAN-BIKEcycling courses will boost your skills, safety and cycling pleasure. You will learn about the right equipment, how a bike works, how to balance, pedal and steer, go and stop. Course requirements: a bicycle in good working condition with a bell or horn and a lock, and an approved bicycle helmet (CSA, Snell, ASTM or ANSI). Contact Colleen Cooper at 519-883-2008 ex. 5324 for more information.
Earth Day, April 22, 2009 and Earth Week, April 20 – 26, 2009. This international celebration invites people to get active on environmental protection and action in many ways. Consider leaving the car at home and reducing air pollution while increasing physical fitness. http://www.earthday.ca/pub/about/history.php
Region of Waterloo Walk/Cycle to School Day, April 22, 2009. School children and their parents will be asked to walk or wheel to school on this day.
Commuter Challenge and Canadian Environment Week, May 31 – June 6, 2009 and Clean Air Day, June 4, 2009. Join people all across Canada as they challenge co-workers and enjoy friendly competition between workplaces with the goal of leaving the car at home and getting to work using sustainable modes of transportation. Be creative – how can you get to work this week? http://www.commuterchallenge.ca/ and http://www.ec.gc.ca/cew
ECOFEST, June 5 – 6, 2009. Building on the success of the inaugural event in 2008, the Region of Waterloo is pleased to present ECOFEST, an interactive community event aimed at educating and motivating the public about environmentally-friendly lifestyle choices.
World Carfree Day, September 22, 2009. Every September 22, people from around the world get together in the streets, intersections, and neighbourhood blocks to remind the world that vibrant places and spaces are made up of pedestrians, cyclists, roller-bladers, and all those who get around without a car. http://www.worldcarfree.net/wcfd/
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