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Register now! Webinar: Pulling up our socks: Manitoba and the Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card
by Jackie Avent (ASRTS) 07 Oct '13

07 Oct '13

*Reminder re: October 9th Webinar - 10 am - 12 noon* Please join Green Action Centre and PACM on *Wednesday, October 9th 2013 from 10 am – 12 noon *for a webinar on the findings of the 2013 Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card <http://www.activehealthykids.ca/> and a snapshot of what is being done in Manitoba to “pull up our socks”. All our webinars are free and this invite may be shared widely. Details and registration instruction<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/walking-and-wheeling-webinar-series-2/>are below. *MANITOBA AND THE ACTIVE HEALTHY KIDS CANADA REPORT CARD: are we driving our kids to unhealthy habits?* *Wednesday October 9; **10 am – 12 noon CT* The goal of the webinar is to introduce participants to the Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card and give them information about what is ongoing in Manitoba towards achieving recommendations laid out in the report card. *Presentations include:* *Are we driving our kids to unhealthy habits? Results from the 2013 Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth: **Jennifer Cowie Bonne*, CEO, Active Healthy Kids Canada; *Joel Barnes,* Knowledge Manager, Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Lead Author of the 2013 Report Card *The 2013 Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card highlights the dramatic decline in active travel among children and the corresponding increased reliance on motorized transportation. Join Active Healthy Kids Canada CEO Jennifer Cowie Bonne and the 2013 Report Card Lead Writer, Joel Barnes, from the Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Institute at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario to learn more about and discuss this year’s results.* *Manitoba’s Active Transportation Action Plan**:* Vicky Reaney, Active Transportation Coordinator, Province of Manitoba *Healthy Winnipeg By Design / Healthy Canada By Design CLASP Initiative - Phase 2 **Shelagh Graham*, Healthy Built Environment Specialist, WRHA *Deanna Betteridge*, Physical Activity Promotion Manager, WRHA *Cycling and your Children: The top 7 things to consider when teaching kids to ride a bike **Dave Elmore*, Can-Bike Instructor *Active and Safe Routes to School in Manitoba and the Bike Walk Roll Fort Richmond Project* *Jackie Avent*, ASRTS Program Coordinator, Green Action Centre *To register for this webinar, please email Jackie Avent at asrts(a)greenactioncentre.ca. Further sign-in instructions will be sent closer to the webinar date.* * * *This is the first in a series of Walking and Wheeling webinars put on this season by the Active and Safe Routes to School Program. Visit our website<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/walking-and-wheeling-webinar-series-2/>for more information and to register! * * * -- *Jackie Avent* | 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/>

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Media coverage of Disraeli AT Bridge opening
by Beth McKechnie 07 Oct '13

07 Oct '13

Here's a bit of a round-up of media coverage I could find online for the grand opening of the Disraeli AT Bridge last Thurs morning. There are likely others, so please share if you have links. *Metro Winnipeg *(includes cool photos from night display on bridge) - http://metronews.ca/news/winnipeg/815290/gallery-light-through-art-on-displ… * * * * *CanStar Weekly* - http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/herald/Disraeli-AT-bridge-… *CJOB* - http://www.cjob.com/2013/10/03/disraeli-active-transportation-bridge-offici… *Press releases*: - City - http://winnipeg.ca/cao/media/news/nr_2013/nr_20131003.stm - Province - http://www.gov.mb.ca/chc/press/top/2013/10/2013-10-03-104300-19110.html - Federal - http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/media/news-nouvelles/2013/20131003winnipeg-…

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Young people drive less, embrace other transportation
by Beth McKechnie 07 Oct '13

07 Oct '13

*Young people driving less, embrace other transportation * Larry Copeland, USA TODAY 10:37 p.m. EDT October 1, 2013 http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/10/01/social-media-driving-m… *Two new studies find that young Americans are changing the nation's transportation landscape. They drive less, want to stay connected as they travel, embrace car-sharing, bike-sharing, ride-sharing.*Young Americans, whose embrace of new technologies and social networking tools enable them to adopt new ways of getting around, are beginning to change the nation's transportation landscape. They don't drive nearly as much as young people once did: While all Americans are driving less since the recession, the average person ages 16-34 drove 23% less in 2009 than in 2001, the sharpest reduction for any age group. And some of the nation's youths -- those known as Millennials, born between 1982 and 2003 -- approach travel differently than their parents do. They are "multimodal," meaning they choose the best mode of transportation, such as driving, transit, biking or walking, based on the trip they are planning. They consider public transportation the best option for digital socializing and one of the most likely ways to connect with the communities they live in. They also say that transit allows them to work while they travel. These are among the findings of two reports released Tuesday at the American Public Transportation Association's meeting in Chicago. The first <http://washpirgfoundation.org/reports/waf/new-way-go> ( http://washpirgfoundation.org/reports/waf/new-way-go), from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, found that online and mobile technology have fundamentally changed the way Americans live and work over the past 15 years; during the same period, growth in vehicle travel slowed and then stopped. U.S. PIRG suggests that these two developments are connected. There has been "an extraordinary shift" in how people travel, said Phineas Baxandall, author of the PIRG report. "For eight years in a row, Americans have been driving less on a per-person basis than the year before," he said. At the same time, the PIRG report notes, there have been increases in the use of the Internet, cellphones and smartphones, with younger Americans more likely to own a smartphone. Over the same period, participation in tele-work and e-commerce increased sharply. The advances in Internet and mobile communications are fueling a wave of new transportation services enabled by technology, such as car-sharing, bike-sharing and ride-sharing, the PIRG report finds. Other researchers, including Robert Foss, director of the Center for the Study of Young Drivers at the University of North Carolina, argue that the drop in driving among young people is primarily a function of the economic downturn and is likely to rebound as the economy recovers. Michael Melaniphy, president and CEO of APTA, (second report = http://www.apta.com/resources/reportsandpublications/Documents/APTA-Millenn…) said the two studies highlight the need for the nation to enact transportation policies that address the needs of Millennials. "Now is the time to be proactive," he said. "Congress should authorize investment in a long-term transportation bill that includes strong investment in public transportation in a variety of modes." © 2013 USA TODAY under contract with YellowBrix. All rights reserved. * * * * * ** *New Study Finds Technology Enabling Americans to Drive Less * *Vehicle Sharing Services, Transit Apps and Wi-Fi Contribute to National Driving Decline; Policy Needs to Catch Up by Francisco Enriquez, U.S. PIRG* Oct. 02‚ 2013 * * http://www.beyondchron.org/articles/New_Study_Finds_Technology_Enabling_Ame… Boston, MA – In a first-of-its-kind study, U.S. PIRG compiled nation-wide evidence on transportation apps and vehicle sharing programs, and found that these advanced new tools have made it easier for Americans to drive less. Real-time apps and on-board wi-fi for public transit, as well as carsharing, bikesharing and ridesharing have spread rapidly in recent years while driving has declined. The report<http://uspirg.org/reports/usp/new-way-go>examines new evidence on how these practices are changing travel behavior. “Mobility used to be all about driving a personal car” said Phineas Baxandall at U.S. PIRG, which released the report. “For Baby Boomers, driving one’s car represented freedom and spontaneity. Today–especially for younger people–owning a car is likely to represent big expenses and parking hassles. Meanwhile, technology and vehicle-sharing are making it easier not to own a car or for households to drive less. Public transit systems, especially with on-board wi-fi and real-time apps, can be the backbone of this new mobility.” The report, “A New Way to Go: The Apps, Maps, and New Technologies that are Giving More Americans Freedom to Drive Less<http://uspirg.org/reports/usp/new-way-go>” sheds additional light on how Americans have been driving less per-person for eight years in a row and total miles remain below 2005 levels (Federal highway data<http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policyinformation/travel_monitoring/13jultvt/figure…> ). Among the findings cited in the report: • *Public transit enhancements*—A majority of U.S. transit systems make scheduling publicly available for developers to produce smartphone apps to help riders navigate systems. Smartphone-based tools enable riders to find the best route and track the progress of trains and buses in real time. • *Bikesharing* – More than 30 cities now have programs where subscribers can access bikes by the minute or by subscription at kiosks located on city streets. Approximately 40 percent of bikeshare members report reducing their driving, according to a survey of members of four bikeshare services. • *Carsharing*– Roundtrip carsharing services, such as Zipcar as well as newer one-way services such as car2go enable subscribers to access cars located in their neighborhoods, providing the mobility benefits of access to a car without having to bear the burden of owning one. As of 2012, more than 800,000 Americans were members of carsharing services. Each carsharing vehicle replaces nine to 13 privately-owned vehicles. The average carsharing participant reduces his or her driving by 27 to 56 percent while increasing ridership on transit and biking. [Like Peg City Car Co-op<http://www.pegcitycarcoop.ca>here in Winnipeg!] • *Ridesharing* and taxi-like services—New peer-to-peer carsharing networks enable individuals to rent out their own unused vehicles to people looking for a car. Drivers with open seats in their cars can pair with other individuals who need a ride. Companies such as Lyft allow ordinary drivers to provide web-based taxi-like services during their spare time. • *Young Americans* have consistently been the first to adopt and test these new technologies and practices. As of September 2012, young adults were six times more likely to have a smartphone than their grandparents’ generation, and twice as likely as Americans 50 to 64 years of age. In a statement about the report from U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), “As more Americans are searching for ways reduce driving and incorporate physical activity into their lives, they need information on how to get out of their cars and onto the sidewalks, bike lanes, and rail tracks. This report outlines ways they can do that. I recommend that anybody across the country who’s making decisions about transportation read these recommendations and hop on board with those of us who already know that the cheapest gallon of gasoline is the one you don’t have to buy.” Findings from a separate report released today by the American Public Transit Association (APTA) reinforce those from U.S.PIRG. APTA’s study, called “Millennials & Mobility<http://www.apta.com/resources/statistics/Pages/Surveys.aspx>” revealed that 70 percent of adults under 35 use multiple alternatives instead of the car several times or more per week. Millennials view public transit as the superior mode for digital multitasking, and a majority view transit-based wi-fi and mobile broadband as well as real-time information about bus and train locations as important. “Now is the time to be pro-active in creating this multi-modal transportation system to address the Millennial generation’s demands and lifestyles. This generation wants the pragmatic benefits of having multiple ways to get around,” said Michael Melaniphy, President and CEO of the American Public Transit Association.” “In the past, people often saw little choice but to depend on personal automobiles. And once you’ve already paid for a car and insurance, then it’s harder to consider other choices,” said Baxandall. “The new tools make it easier not to own a car or to own fewer cars. New apps make it easy to catch a bus and ride unfamiliar routes. Bikeshare or rideshare can be the perfect complement when public transit doesn’t reach nearby your destination, when weather changes, or unexpected errands arise.” The report provides policy makers with a number of recommendations such as to install more wi-fi on public transit and to integrate bike and car sharing into traffic management plans and locate near transit stations. Highway expansion projects should be reconsidered and canceled if no longer justified. “These technological tools and practices are still in their infancy but spreading fast. Government leaders should focus less on expanding highway capacity and more on public transit, biking, walking and other alternatives to personal cars,” said Baxandall. Download “A New Way to Go: The Apps, Maps, and New Technologies that are Giving More Americans Freedom to Drive Less<http://uspirg.org/reports/usp/new-way-go> .” See other recent reports on state-by-state declines in driving, the Millennial generation’s leading role in this trend, and policy implications at: http://uspirg.org/topics/transportation

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Bike counts on Norwood Bridge, scramble corner at Portage & Main & transit smart cards
by Beth McKechnie 02 Oct '13

02 Oct '13

A few interesting items attached from yesterday's Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works meeting: 1) Bike counts on Norwood Bridge 2) Alternative Traffic Crossing Models (Portage & Main) 3) Transit Smart Card Implementation and Related Policies (way more details than what was reported in the news) Great to see the City is considering the applicability of a scramble corner and other innovative pedestrian crossings for Portage & Main. cheers, Beth

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WFP: Riding on federal coattails has to stop (Oct.2'13)
by Beth McKechnie 02 Oct '13

02 Oct '13

Riding on federal coattails has to stop By: Jeremy Hull www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/analysis/riding-on-federal-coattails-has-… Winnipeg cyclists, like Winnipeggers in general, can sometimes be too negative about their city. They feel Winnipeg is falling behind other parts of Canada, let alone other countries, in the worldwide movement to promote cycling and all forms of human-powered transportation. It turns out, however, we haven't been waiting for the perfect conditions or government programs to start changing, as I found out when I looked at recently released statistics. Surprisingly, Winnipeg is leading the Prairies in commuting by bicycle and is one of the leading cycling cities in Canada. Data from the National Household Survey reveal Winnipeg is among the leaders in Canada in the percentage who travel to work by bicycle. Among census metropolitan areas (CMAs) Winnipeg ranks third behind Victoria (5.9 per cent) and Ottawa (2.2 per cent), and is tied with Saskatoon at 2.0 per cent. More significant is the rate at which cycling is growing. The percentage of commuters cycling to work in Winnipeg has been increasing steadily since 2001, especially since 2006. In Winnipeg, the percentage of commuters who travel by bicycle went from 1.4 per cent in 2001, to 2.0 per cent in 2011. Among larger Prairie cities, only in Winnipeg has cycling been increasing. In Calgary, for example, the cycling percentage fell from 1.5 per cent in 2001 to 1.2 per cent in 2011 and in Saskatoon it fell from 2.5 per cent to 2.0 per cent. In fact, most cities across Canada have seen declines in the cycling percentage. Cycling rates have been increasing in Victoria, Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto and Halifax, but not as quickly as in Winnipeg. Between 2006 and 2001, the rate of commuter cycling in Winnipeg increased by 19.6 per cent, faster than in any other metropolitan area in Canada. Why is cycling increasing so quickly in Winnipeg? The year 2006 marked a critical turning point in Winnipeg's awareness of the issues facing cyclists. A Critical Mass ride that year resulted in confrontations and arrests. Rather than this turning into ongoing confrontations, cyclists organized a forum dubbed "Bike to the Future," at which issues were aired and constructive solutions were sought. This led to the formation of a cycling advocacy organization, along with many other developments, ranging from lobbying city and provincial electoral candidates and the creation of Bike to Work Day, to the use of federal stimulus funding to build new bike paths. There have been many other developments, such as the emergence of volunteer-run bicycle repair shops, efforts by Bike Winnipeg and MPI to educate cyclists and drivers, celebration of cycling through events like Ciclovia, and the creation of Bicycle Valet Winnipeg, providing free bicycle parking at Bombers games and other events. These developments cannot be credited to a single organization or initiative -- that is their strength. As is typical of Winnipeg, many individuals and organizations have come together to improve our city. Cyclists continue to be frustrated by lack of bike lanes and continued dominance of a car-centric mindset. There has also been controversy about some of the new infrastructure designed for cyclists, but with time it has become clear many of these projects have won the support of cyclists, residents and others. The number of commuters cycling continues to grow. Bicycle counts done by Bike Winnipeg show a 28 per cent increase in commuter cyclists since 2007, and a 12 per cent since last year alone. "Winterpeg" is now a leader in the growth of cycling in Canada. In fact, because of the active cycling community and developments here, Winnipeg has been chosen to be the site of the second International Winter Cycling Conference next February. The excuse that "it's too cold to cycle in Winnipeg" is no longer valid. But what have the City of Winnipeg or the Province of Manitoba done to recognize and capitalize on this grassroots development? Given the benefits of cycling to our health, our infrastructure costs, tourism, retail businesses and our environment it is unfortunate the city and the province have not done more. Since 2010, when Winnipeg was able to take advantage of the federal infrastructure stimulus program, little has been done by local governments to improve and encourage cycling. While we can celebrate Winnipeg's community spirit in moving cycling forward, we would like government to be partners in this movement, rather than sitting on the sidelines. *Jeremy Hull is co-chair of Bike Winnipeg.* *Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition October 2, 2013 A11*

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Webinar: Pulling up our socks: Manitoba and the Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card
by Jackie Avent (ASRTS) 01 Oct '13

01 Oct '13

*kindly distribute to your networks* Please join Green Action Centre and PACM on *Wednesday, October 9th 2013 from 10 am – 12 noon *for a webinar on the findings of the 2013 Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card <http://www.activehealthykids.ca/> and a snapshot of what is being done in Manitoba to “pull up our socks”. All our webinars are free and this invite may be shared widely. Details and registration instruction<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/walking-and-wheeling-webinar-series-2/>are below. *MANITOBA AND THE ACTIVE HEALTHY KIDS CANADA REPORT CARD: are we driving our kids to unhealthy habits?* *Wednesday October 9; **10 am – 12 noon CT* The goal of the webinar is to introduce participants to the Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card and give them information about what is ongoing in Manitoba towards achieving recommendations laid out in the report card. *Presentations include:* *Are we driving our kids to unhealthy habits? Results from the 2013 Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth: **Jennifer Cowie Bonne*, CEO, Active Healthy Kids Canada; *Joel Barnes,* Knowledge Manager, Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Lead Author of the 2013 Report Card *The 2013 Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card highlights the dramatic decline in active travel among children and the corresponding increased reliance on motorized transportation. Join Active Healthy Kids Canada CEO Jennifer Cowie Bonne and the 2013 Report Card Lead Writer, Joel Barnes, from the Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Institute at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario to learn more about and discuss this year’s results.* *Manitoba’s Active Transportation Action Plan**:* Vicky Reaney, Active Transportation Coordinator, Province of Manitoba *Healthy Winnipeg By Design / Healthy Canada By Design CLASP Initiative - Phase 2 **Shelagh Graham*, Healthy Built Environment Specialist, WRHA *Deanna Betteridge*, Physical Activity Promotion Manager, WRHA *Cycling and your Children: The top 7 things to consider when teaching kids to ride a bike **Dave Elmore*, Can-Bike Instructor *Active and Safe Routes to School in Manitoba and the Bike Walk Roll Fort Richmond Project* *Jackie Avent*, ASRTS Program Coordinator, Green Action Centre *To register for this webinar, please email Jackie Avent at asrts(a)greenactioncentre.ca. Further sign-in instructions will be sent closer to the webinar date.* * * *This is the first in a series of Walking and Wheeling webinars put on this season by the Active and Safe Routes to School Program. Visit our website<http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/walking-and-wheeling-webinar-series-2/>for more information and to register! * * * -- *Jackie Avent* | 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/>

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INVITATION: New Disraeli Bike/Ped Bridge Grand Opening Celebration this Thursday. 10:30
by Anders Swanson 30 Sep '13

30 Sep '13

*[ Please pass along as appropriate. Bridges like this don't get built every day. There are a heck of a lot of people who deserve to go to this bridge opening, have a sip of champagne or something and ride triumphantly across the Red. i.e. The workers who built it, anyone who attended any number of myriad meetings back in the day, all of the NWCC, the people on the consultation committee who gave their afternoons to choose, all of Bike Winnipeg's members and directors, anybody who ever rode a bike over the old Disraeli, the local people who put up with the noise during construction, the WTA, RENN-TC, anyone who lives on either side of the Red, etc.. etc.. etc... You know who you are; you all have your reasons. Details below. - Anders ] * **** **** **** **** **** [image: Description: Government of Canada, Province of Manitoba and City of Winnipeg]**** **** *You are invited to the Grand Opening Celebration of the Disraeli Active Transportation Bridge***** *When: ***** Thursday, October 3, 2013 10:30 a.m.**** *Where: ***** Disraeli Active Transportation Bridge, access off Midwinter Avenue at the foot of the bridge *Map - Location and parking information* <https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=zvUDXwELJs4k.kHNB94wxmioo>**** [image: Description: Disraeli Active Transportation Bridge]**** **** ****

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ASRTS needs your help!
by Jackie Avent (ASRTS) 30 Sep '13

30 Sep '13

Hello All! The Active and Safe Routes to School Program at Green Action Centre has applied for the AVIVA Community Fund. We can get up to $150,000 towards the development of our CounterPoint App, but would like to ask for 2 minutes of your days over the next two weeks! Basically, here's how it works - you go to https://www.avivacommunityfund.org/ideas/acf17178 and register your e-mail or sign in through Facebook. Then you can vote once per day over the next 15 days. You get 15 votes and we would love if you'd give them all to us, but there are some awfully cute animals on there vying for attention too! We will be sending out some reminders throughout the campaign, but would appreciate if you could share, tweet and forward this message to help spread the word! Thanks so much! Jackie, Anders and Lea -- *Jackie Avent* | 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/>

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Robin Williams talking about biking in NY
by Dave Elmore 27 Sep '13

27 Sep '13

Thought you might enjoy this. "Its wonderful, it's the greatest way to get around. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RL8cfShREuk <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RL8cfShREuk&feature=youtube_gdata> &feature=youtube_gdata

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WFP: Your kids may be physically illiterate (Sept.27'13)
by Beth McKechnie 27 Sep '13

27 Sep '13

Your kids may be physically illiterate By: Kristine Hayward http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/your-kids-may-be-physically-illitera… Running, skipping, jumping, throwing a ball; all these things should come naturally when you're a kid, right? Well, maybe not so much anymore. Children used to spend hours outside, playing leapfrog, rolling down hills, playing catch at the playground or skating at the local community club rink. By being active, they learned the basic skills that allowed them to participate in more complex sports and activities as they grew older. A kid who learns to catch a ball at age four or five will be able to play pick-up baseball when they are six or seven. A kid who learns how to skate when they are young can participate in a variety of sports and activities that involve skating. But times have changed. Today, fewer children possess the fundamental skills that kids used to develop naturally through active play. In other words, with the loss of free play opportunities, our kids are less physically literate. This poses a serious problem because if kids lack the fundamental physical skills, they are less likely to participate in sports and other physical activities as they grow up. And that means they will not be as active as they need to be to maintain good health. Dean Kriellaars, a professor at the University of Manitoba's School of Medical Rehabilitation, is an expert in the emerging field of physical literacy. He says parents need to be made aware of the growing problem of physical illiteracy, and what they can do to reverse the trend. "Physical activity is the key to good health. Unless parents take more of an interest in this issue, the generation growing up today are going to experience a lot of health problems that could be avoided simply by being more active," he says. The 2013 Active Healthy Kids Canada report serves as evidence of the problem. It cites a 2012 survey that found that although 58 per cent of Canadian parents walked to school when they were kids, only 28 per cent of their children walk to school today. In just one decade (2000 to 2010), the proportion of five- to 17-year-olds using only inactive modes of transportation (bus, train or car) to get to and from school has increased to 62 per cent from 51 per cent. The time spent driving to and from places, along with the time spent in front of the computer and playing video games, all add up to the fact only five per cent of Canadian kids meet the physical activity guidelines of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day. "Exploring the world in a physical way is critical to the process, from learning what does and does not work, to attempts at movement, to learning spatial awareness to confidence and creativity in movement," says Kriellaars, adding a life-long attitude toward fitness starts early, often between Grades 3 and 6. You're probably thinking your children are learning these skills in school, the same way they learn their ABCs. They are! But just like reading and writing, families and communities need to support the skills learned at school. This is done by providing opportunities to practise and master fundamental movement skills outside school hours. The good news is efforts are underway to make our kids more physically literate. Community programs are focusing more on skill development. And neighbourhoods are being redesigned to support better physical activity. Kriellaars is the first to admit there are no easy fixes to the problem. But if parents start learning more about the problem, they will be able to take steps to fix it. *Kristine Hayward is a physical activity promotion co-ordinator with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority.* Activities that encourage physical literacy HERE are some ways you can help your child become more physically literate: - Speak to your child's physical education / health teacher to see where they are strong or need work, and what suggestions they have to support their development of these skills. - Encourage active, unstructured, outdoor play. - Practise tossing and catching items. Start with a softer, larger ball and move to smaller objects and balls that bounce. Use what you have... a rolled-up sock or a ball made out of crumpled newspaper. Try throwing with each hand -- overhand and underhand. Aim at a laundry basket or garbage can. Start catching with two hands and then with one. - Try activities in different environments like sliding or skating on ice and snow. Visit your local arena during public skating or sign up for skating lessons. - Practise moving in water. Visit your local pool or sign up for swimming lessons. - Jump through the air. Practise cartwheels and rolls. Join a gymnastics club. - Create an obstacle course in your yard or living room. Climb over a chair, under the table. Hop down the hallway and jump over a scarf. The options are endless. - Practise balance. Stand on one foot. Walk along a curb. - Play skipping or hopping games. Hopscotch and jumping rope can be fun and go a long way to developing a variety of skills. - Provide opportunities for games that involve striking, such as road hockey, tennis or baseball. Play a pickup game of hockey in the driveway. Head to a local park with a bat and ball to play a game of 500. *Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 27, 2013 A27*

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