Providing Manitobans with viable opportunities to choose active and sustainable forms of transportation – cycling, walking, inline skating, transit, carpooling and carsharingfor at least some trips is an important step in reducing pollution, addressing climate change, improving personal health, and easing traffic congestion in our communities. And for those times when you need to use your car, fuel efficient driving can help to reduce our impact.
One way to ensure our roadways are designed and operated to benefit all types of users safely and conveniently is the concept of Complete Streets. Over 700 jurisdictions in the U.S. have now adopted this approach, with the numbers growing every month. Canadian cities are getting on board as well.
Less driving: Boosting bottom lines and productivity
Employees today are less interested in a long commute and more interested in employers that offer alternatives to depending on a car to get to work. Avison Young presents arguments why it benefits corporations to pay attention along with three key strategies to minimize personal vehicle use.
Active commuting improves psychological well-being
Want to improve your mental health? This longitudinal survey from the UK shows a positive link between walking, cycling and even transit with psychological well-being.
Lack of exercise responsible for twice as many deaths as obesity
While this study reveals that physical activitiy is even more damaging than obesity, we obviously want to ensure we are both active and at a healthy weight. The results certainly underscore how even “healthy weight” individuals would greatly benefit from building in more activity to their day. Another good reason to walk and bike whenever…
Location Matters
Factoring location costs into homebuying decisions It’s a bit of a conundrum. On one hand, homebuyers are looking for walkable neighbourhoods with amenities nearby. Yet in many cities, finding a family-friendly home within budget often means choosing a lower-priced housing option in car-dependent suburbs or bedroom communities. But what happens when you factor in the…
Access to Public Transportation a Top Criteria for Millennials
For cities and workplaces looking to recruit millennial workers (ages 18 to 34), they need look no further than their public and active transportation network. A survey released by The Rockefeller Foundation and Transportation for America found that more than half of millennial respondents would consider moving to a city where they could easily get…
Mobilizing Knowledge on AT in Canada
This report summarizes effective approaches to Active Transportation across Canada, as well as the challenges. It identifies six action areas – strategy, infrastructure, legislation, information and promotion – and highlights provincial initiatives for each. Mobilizing Knowledge on Active Transportation: Project Briefing and Highlight Sheets [pdf] (Public Health Agency of Canada, October 2014)
Millennials in Motion: Changing Travel Habits of Young Americans
Data over the past 10 years is showing a marked decline in the number of young people driving. While the number of kilometres driven each year by Canadians and Americans has declined in general, it’s particularly noticeable in those in their 20s and early 30s. Instead of driving, Millennials are choosing to walk, bike and…
Associations between active travel, public transit and lower BMI
Turns out that if you bike, walk or take transit to work, you’re more likely to have a lower BMI (body mass index) and body fat percentage than those who drive.
Widening Kenaston
On January 25, Winnipeg City Council voted to approve a preliminary plan to widen Kenaston Boulevard from 4 lanes to 6 between Ness and Taylor Avenues. Read the Green Action Centre brief on the project.
Pay as you drive
Car drivers in Manitoba enjoy some of the lowest insurance rates in Canada. However, the way we pay for our insurance may encourage us to drive more than we need to. Given the costs driving imposes on our infrastructure, our health care system and our environment, shouldn’t we be giving incentives for people who drive less?
Kids on the Move: Child and Youth Friendly Land-Use and Transport Planning Guidelines for Manitoba
These guidelines were developed as tools for municipal transportation and land-use planners to achieve transportation and land-use arrangements that meet the needs of children and youth — and everyone else.
Complete Streets
A “Complete Streets” approach focuses on moving people around a city, rather than moving cars. It involves designing and operating our roads to provide safe and convenient access for all users.
Winnipeg’s Transportation Master Plan
How we get around Winnipeg is a hot topic for most people. Check out what’s happening with development of Winnipeg’s new Transportation Master Plan and hear what Green Action Centre recommends.
Greening Manitoba’s Budget
Green Action Centre submitted a list of proposals to the Province to make Manitoba’s economy and budget more environmentally sustainable. Read the 5 key recommendations here.
Winter Tires
Winter tires provide better traction but they also increase gas consumption. Learn more here.
Green Action lists priorities for a greener Winnipeg
Put the environment on the public agenda. Green Action Centre encourages citizens to ask all candidates what they will do to make their communities greener.
Bike parking guide for employers
This comprehensive Transport Canada guide for employers and municipalities looks at the reasons for providing bike parking, both short-term and long-term, along with technical details.
Saving Money and Time with Active School Travel
A comprehensive report on the costs of school transportation in Manitoba and how incorporating school travel planning policies can save time and money while furthering work for safe, active journeys to and from school.
The Business Case for Improving Commuter Options
Workplaces that encourage and support their employees to ride the bus, walk, cycle or carpool to work can benefit from financial savings while also achieving corporate or organizational objectives.
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