Active Transportation Workshop, April 17, 2008

The City of Barrie has partnered with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit to organize an Active Transportation Workshop on April 17, 2008.

Active Transportation is any form of human-powered transportation such as walking, cycling or combining public transit with walking or cycling. The Active Transportation movement attempts to influence people in making healthy lifestyle choices when traveling to a particular destination - to walk to school, work, shopping, or to visit friends.

The April 17 workshop will focus on learning about the importance of Active Transportation to our community.

It will also enable our community to assess

• the current state of Active Transportion infrastructure,
• determine what is required to improve Active Transportation options within our community,
• and develop a plan of action to achieve our goals.

Canadians are becoming increasingly concerned about air pollution from cars and having to drive to carry out daily activities. Rising rates of chronic diseases stemming from inactivity, overweight and obesity are also cause for concern. Many of us are more willing to explore transportation alternatives and reduce auto dependency, increasing physical activity and decreasing the impact on the environment.

In Canada, over half of automobile trips are under five kilometres – ideal distances to cover by walking or cycling.

If more Canadians choose to walk, bike and wheel, rather than using their cars, there can be many benefits, including

• our health and safety,
• the health of our environment,
• the quality of life in our neighborhoods
• and overall sustainability.

Who’s invited:

Community organizations and business leaders, elected officials, municipal staff, health professionals, environmental organizations, school boards and members of the public who have demonstrated an interest in Active Transportation issues are being invited to this event. There is no cost to participate, but there are limited seats available on a first come, first served basis.

Registration and information about the workshop on April 17 – and a public forum being held two weeks prior to the workshop on April 3 – can be found on the City of Barrie website.

For general information about community design and active transportation, visit the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit website.

The Barrie active transportation workshop has been made possible as a result of funds through the Public Health Agency of Canada’s 'Population Health Fund', and it is a component of a larger project called Healthy Communities & the Built Environment. This is a collaborative initiative led by the Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition (OHCC) as well as Good for Life