Why Use Active Transportation?
Active transportation is any form of human-powered travel. Most people associate active transportation with biking, walking, or scootering. If you’re taking public transportation, part of your trip is likely active transportation as you get to and from your method of transport.
No matter where you’re going, whether it’s out to run some errands or a commute to work or school, choosing active transportation is a great way to get more physical activity into your week. People from all walks of life and levels of ability can benefit from the positive impacts of active transportation in their own lives and as a benefit to the world around us.
Exploring Benefits
Improved physical and mental health – getting active is a great way to get more physical activity which can benefit your health, both physically and mentally.
Connection with community – active transportation encourages you to become a more active participant in the community around you, whether it’s saying hello to your neighbours or stopping at the local grocery store.
Cleaner air and quieter surroundings – an obvious benefit of active transportation is less pollution from motorized vehicles on the road. But active transportation also makes for quieter neighbourhoods with less noise from cars.
Less road congestion – you can fit a lot more bikes and pedestrians on a road than cars! Using multi-use trails instead of major roads means a quieter commute for you and less cars on the road as well.
Affordability – gas, insurance, car repairs, parking; the cost of driving a car continues to go up. Active transportation can save you money by keeping those expenses at bay.
Connection with nature – Nature connection is an important consideration in today’s busy world. Taking time to spend in nature has been shown to benefit mental health and is a great way to start or end your work day.
Get Started With Active Transportation
Here’s some tips to get your started in your active transportation lifestyle:
Start small – don’t over do it! Everyone needs to start small to build effective habits. Try walking or riding to school or work once a week and then you can increase the number of days as you get more comfortable. Remember that everyone is different, including levels of fitness. If you’re not used to walking or riding, give yourself time to make the adjustments.
Find friends – active transportation is a great social activity. Ask friends, family, or co-workers to join you on your trips. It can help you stay motivated and it’s a great chance to catch up with folks.
Explore local routes – roads are a great way to get around town, but Guelph has some amazing trails that you can use that will often cut your travel time. It’s also a great way to find some of Guelph’s hidden gems that you can’t always get to by road.
Have you experienced other benefits of active transportation? Have some tips that you’d love to share? We’d love to hear from you! Get in touch and let us know what you think.
