Citizens urged to leave their cars at home more often
By Heidi Ulrichsen
www.northernlife.ca
Date Published | Nov. 16, 2006
People need to start walking and biking more and not depend on their cars, according to the co-ordinator of a workshop intended to promote active transportation among Greater Sudbury residents.
Active transportation is any method of travel that is human powered, such as walking, biking, skateboarding, inline skating, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing or wheeling yourself down the street in a wheelchair.
"People really overuse their cars," said Marc Plante, the active transportation co-ordinator for Go for Green, a charitable organization that encourages Canadians to pursue healthy, outdoor physical activities that protect the environment.
"A lot of people drive to the corner store, the video store, work or a friend’s house. What we’re trying to do is to get them to think twice about grabbing the car keys and grab their sneakers."
By walking to the store, you’re making both your body and the environment healthier, he says.
The Ottawa resident worked with representatives of various community organizations at Bryston’s on the Park in Copper Cliff Wednesday to come up with an active transportation charter and plan for Greater Sudbury.
He is holding similar workshops in 15 other communities across the province.
Part of the problem is some areas of the community don’t have sidewalks or trails that allow people to walk or bike to their destinations, he says.
He’s hopeful the city will take the active transportation plan into consideration and build the infrastructure needed to get citizens moving.
"You can build all the active transportation infrastructure you want, but it’s ultimately up to the person to choose to walk or choose to cycle. I think if they realize what the benefits are, they will be active."
Adults aren’t the only people who need to think about active transportation, he says.
Statistics show that 91 percent of Canadian children own bicycles, but only five percent ride them to school.
Plante intends to teach his own three-year-old son the importance of active transportation.
"I have to lead by example. I’m his role model. I think everybody has to do that."
Using Greater Sudbury’s trail system to get around is a great way to incorporate active transportation into your day-to-day life, says Deb McIntosh, the executive director of Rainbow Routes.
Her organization promotes the development, management, use and preservation of the Trans Canada Trail.
She recommends people try out the path the leads from the corner of Elm and Paris St. to New Sudbury.
"On a bike, you can get there in no time at all, and you’re staying off the main roads and not taking your life into your hands."
There will soon be a new bicycle path connecting Copper Cliff with Sudbury.
Active transportation can even reduce people’s risk of getting cancer, says Nicole Gauthier, the prevention co-ordinator at the Regional Cancer Program at Sudbury Regional Hospital.
Lack of physical activity has been identified as one of the risk factors leading to cancer, she says.
"I think it’s a wonderful idea. There are many, many, many benefits. There are health benefits and benefits to the environment and I think those alone will make huge impacts in our lives."