Active Transportation

Walking

The simplest actions are often the most effective. If your destination or goal is near enough to your location, walking instead of taking a car will not only eliminate the GHGs that would have resulted from your trip, it will also improve your health and save you money from costs for fuel and vehicle maintenance.

Biking

Like walking, cycling is a form of active transportation that improves the health of an individual while allowing them to save on fuel and maintenance costs. Bicycling has an advantage over walking in that an individual is able to move further and faster with less effort, making it a much more viable option for longer trips than walking. However, when cycling on roadways, remember that bicycles must follow the rules of the road like any other vehicle, and they are often confined to bicycle lanes located between traffic and the sidewalk.

When riding a bike, it is important to remember that though you are sharing the road with other vehicles, those vehicles are much larger and heavier than you and therefore your risk of a dangerous collision is much higher than theirs. Use the Bikesense Bicycle Operator’s Manual (PDF) to learn about the rules of the road and how they apply to cyclists. You can also browse the HUB Cycling or HasteBC websites to learn more about safety, maintenance, and community events.

Individuals actively transporting to school can calculate the cost and emissions savings they are generating by choosing to cycle instead of drive. By teaching children that they are able to actively get themselves to school, you will promote independence and confidence, while also helping them realize that they will not need to drive everywhere when they grow up. This is very important for reducing transportation emissions in the future.