Transit investments lead to healthier people
Media Release | July 4, 2013
http://news.ubc.ca/2013/07/04/transit-investments-lead-to-healthier-people/
A new report from the University of British Columbia shows that
transportation and health are closely linked and recommends that health
outcome be considered in transportation planning.
The report, funded by TransLink and Vancouver Coastal Health Authority as
part of updates to *Transport 2040*, the regional transportation strategy,
presents a range of opportunities for Translink to incorporate health into
its planning.
“This report documents how prioritizing transit, bike and pedestrian
infrastructure will positively impact health,” says the study’s lead author
Lawrence Frank, Professor and Director of the Health and Community Design
Lab, part of UBC’s School of Population and Public
Health<http://www.spph.ubc.ca/>.
“It looks at encouraging active transportation, such as walking, cycling
and transit, and reducing air pollution and traffic collision risk.”
[image: Dr. Lawrence Frank. Photo: Amanda
Skuse]<http://news.ubc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/lawrence-frank-150.jpg>
Dr. Lawrence Frank. Photo: Amanda Skuse
Previous research by Frank has shown that every hour a person spends in a
car each day makes them six per cent more likely to be obese, while each
additional kilometre a person walks makes them five per cent less likely to
be obese.
Sedentary lifestyle is a major cause of many chronic diseases such as
obesity, heart disease and some cancers. Many chronic diseases are
preventable and active transportation and other sustainable transportation
choices offer the possibility of prevention and even treatment through
increased physical activity. The costs of these diseases are projected to
increase by more than $1.5 billion in B.C. over the next 2 to 3 years.
“TransLink’s consideration of the health impacts of transportation systems
could help offset the rising costs of health care in the Vancouver area and
promote an active lifestyle that will benefit all Canadians,” Frank adds.
The full report is available
here<http://www.translink.ca/~/media/Documents/plans_and_projects/regional_trans…>
.
Sorry, I missed getting this out in time for the first ride but there are
plenty more in the works. -cheers, Beth
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <currieg(a)mymts.net>
Date: Sat, Jun 29, 2013 at 3:23 PM
Subject: Announcing a NEW weekly no-drop Ride exploring our growing AT
Network in the south
To: currieg(a)mts.net
Hi Folks,
Spread the word far and wide, there is a new Group Ride in town.
Our Thursday and Friday Road Rides got together and voila! A new ride was
born to accommodate all the new riders out there who just want to go
slower, see more, talk more and maybe begin an incredible journey.
Announcing:
*Tuesday evening Bike Path Ride* starting Tuesday July 2nd 2013 will
utilize our growing AT Network and will be geared to those who want to ride
there bike at a more relaxed pace than our Friday Ride. This will be a
fair-weather ride only, so everyone stays dry (we hope). We will gather at
Woodcock Cycle, 433 St Marys Rd for a 7 pm departure. Due to the loss in
day light we will bump these rides to a 6:30 start in August.
For our main ride we will head east on Fifth Ave to Youville and then to
Egerton, back onto DesMeurons for a block. We will pick up the bike path at
the end of DesMeurons following the Niakwa Trail left over the Seine River
and east to Lagimodiere, north to the Bishop Grandin Greenway, West to
Dakota to pick up the Dunkirk Multi-use path, North to the Fermor bike path
and back to DesMeurons following the same route we took out from the shop.
Here is the map link http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/225161215
Here are other possible rides to switch things up:
The BDI via Bike Path http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/235855549 (we
may want to schedule this one earlier to leave time for an Ice cream
break),
Whittier Park via Bike Path
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/235866789(we may decide to stop
at the forks for some fuel).
Seine River Trail bike Path Ride
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/235868695 (we will be joined by Dennis
from Save the Seine for a guided tour),
Fort White Bike path Ride
http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/236375883(we would meet in the
north west corner of the theater parking lot
McGillivray and Kenaston)
These are 20 km to 25 km routes and I expect we will ride it between 17 and
20 kph +/- depending on the group that night. That should put us back at
the shop between 8 and 8:30 for July rides.. This is a no pressure no-drop
ride suited to those who wish to get more comfortable riding, want to
gradually increase their distance and time in the saddle or just want to
ride with others in a casual setting. This ride is good for almost all
types of bikes. Having said that, you would not want to show up with your
carbon bike and full kit. If you are concerned or have any questions please
let me know. The Rides will normally be led by me, I am a Can-Bike
instructor which means I am nationally certified to teach folks how to
safely cycle with others on and off the roadways. I ride about 6000 km per
year and ride all 4 seasons. Please ask me any questions from the mechanics
of your bike all the way to winter cycling.
As the ride progresses and if the skill of the riders warrants it, we may
increase the distance and take in more of what our cycling infrastructure
has to offer. For those of you who find that this ride is not enough for
you, consider joining our Thursday or Friday no-drop Group rides where the
speed is a little faster and the distance depends on you (min 30 km to a
max of 70 km) 6 pm to 8:30/9:00pm.
To join these rides you must wear a bike helmet
The first time you join us you will need to sign a waiver, this protects
the validity of our insurance through the Manitoba Cycling Association (MCA)
The second and subsequent times you join us you will need a MCA General
Membership, this membership is $48 and covers you and Woodcock Cycle Works
with insurance for the duration of the season.
Bye for now,
*Currie Gillespie, CHRP*
204.955.5221
Board of Directors, Manitoba Cycling Association
City of Winnipeg Active Transportation Advisory Committee 2011, 2012
Can-Bike National Advisory Council
Winnipeg Cycling Map Committee
Bike to Work Day Committee
Ciclovia Committee
"*Every Lane Is A Bike Lane*" - City of Los Angeles
Hi Everyone!
Hope you are all enjoying this delightful weather. I am just writing to
announce the launch of our new summer photo contest at Peg City Car Co-op.
We want to see your creative photos from your commute which feature themes
of biking, walking, and busing in central neighbourhoods of our city.
Amazing prizes to be won including:
- *$1200* driving credit with Peg City Car Co-op
- *$500* Custom bike from Natural Cycle
- *$500* worth of transit passes
It is easy, follow the links below to see contest details and use the
hashtag #bikewalkbus when uploading your photos.
Please share widely!
View the contest on Facebook
here<https://www.facebook.com/pegcitycarcoop/app_492466294176379>to
share and sign-up.
View our Tweet here <https://twitter.com/pegcitycarcoop> to re-tweet.
View our Instagram here <http://instagram.com/pegcitycarcoop> to re-post.
[image: Inline images 2]
Thanks everyone for helping out and happy summer!
--
*Shoni Litinsky* | Active and Safe Routes to School
Green Action Centre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>
3rd floor, 303 Portage Avenue* | *(204) 925-3773
Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living.
Support our work by becoming a
member<http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/memberships/>
Find us here<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/>