Active Living

This page was reviewed or revised on Wednesday, August 12, 2009.

Active Transportation

You may not recognize the phrase Active Transportation but we all do it … of course some more than others. Basically, Active Transportation is any non-polluting form of travel... things like walking, cycling, wheeling, rollerblading, skateboarding, hiking, snow-shoeing and skating.

The human body is made to exercise but our addiction to motorized vehicles now means we walk an average of 13 kilometres less each day than our family members 50 years ago.

Active transportation can be easily built-in into daily life by combining it with travel time. When you choose to use Active Transportation you benefit yourself and your entire community.

Imagine a 3-km circle around your home. Try to walk or bicycle each time you travel within that circle.

• To and from work

• To and from school

• Daily errands … the mailbox, the store, the park

• Recreational and leisure activities

• Auto trips less than 3 km

• Improved vigour, self-esteem and sense of well-being

• Reduced stress from commuting

• Increased social interaction

• Reduced personal and family transportation costs

• Easier and cheaper than formal exercise programs

• Improved air quality for those with asthma and other respiratory problems

• Prevent and manage heart disease, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis, and depression

• Reduced incidence of stroke, colon cancer, coronary heart disease

• Helps correct alcohol and smoking abuse

• Stronger body against injury and disability

• Decreased emissions from vehicles which leads to cleaner air

• Increased safety with less traffic

• Increased interaction of community residents may result in safer streets and reduced crime

• Increased appeal and access for tourists visiting communities

• Reduced health care costs because people are in better shape

Go For Green

Walk and roll

Active Transportation

The following resources are available free from the County of Lambton Community Health Services Department:

· Canada's Physical Activity Guide to Healthy Active Living (Health Canada)

· Walking - The Activity of a Lifetime (Health Canada)

f you have any questions, call 519-344-2062, ext. 2142 or email Community Health Services Department.  

[1] (Hillman M.  Cycling towards health and safety.  London : BMA, 1994)