ACTIVE TRANSIT: A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION FOR TRANSPORTATION
Gas prices have skyrocketed, and they’re predicted to remain at this record high for the foreseeable future. Commuters are looking for alternative transportation options that mitigate the impact of prices at the pumps. In this article – the final in a three-part series – we will explore benefits of, barriers to, and opportunities for active transit. (PS – walkability not what you’re looking for? We’ve also explored public transit and electric transit).
ACTIVE TRANSIT VS. WALKABILITY
Active transit is self-powered transportation. This includes, but is not limited to, biking, walking, skateboarding, and/or rollerblading for part or all of a journey. Walkability, on the other hand, is the degree to which an area supports active transportation. While there is no standardized measure for walkability, it is affected by factors such as safety of sidewalks and bike lanes, distance between destinations, and access to public transit. To summarize: a walkable environment promotes active transit.
Famous success stories may come to mind, such as New York City, the pinnacle of walkability, or Amsterdam and Copenhagen, the most bikeable cities in the world. This is not the norm: most commuters rely heavily on cars. We have a lot to learn from the cities that have cemented themselves as experts in the area of active transit. They have prioritized cyclist and pedestrian safety over the long term through infrastructure, culture, and policy.
ACTIVE TRANSIT: HOW DOES IT HELP?
Active transit has many benefits, at both an individual and a community level. The more walkable the city, the healthier and happier the residents, the more booming the businesses, and the lower the carbon footprint.
ACTIVE TRANSIT & HEALTH
Walking or biking to work supports health at a population level, essentially serving as incidental exercise for commuters. The benefits of physical activity – especially this non-intentional exercise that’s built into our routines – are well-documented. Active transit is linked to lower rates of several lifestyle-related conditions (such as obesity and type-2 diabetes) and, more broadly, supports muscular and cardiovascular health.
Physical activity greatly benefits our mental health, too. Residents in walkable communities are more likely to engage in active transportation more often, and getting enough physical activity is associated with more happiness and positive mental health outcomes.
ACTIVE TRANSIT & SUSTAINABILITY
Travelling on foot allows for sustainable transport. Unlike traditional car-centric commuting and even public transit, walking is truly zero-emission. With the climate crisis being a top-of-mind issue for many, active transit is becoming a popular option for commuters looking to curb their carbon footprint.
Furthermore, when building more walkable communities, city planners can create more parks and green spaces when less parking and road services are required. The positive environmental impact of planting trees and other greenery is well-documented.
WALKABILITY & LIVABILITY
Walkability is also correlated to factors that contribute to overall quality of life.
Active transit supports economic growth. Walking saves commuters money in the short and long run, regardless of fuel prices, but it also supports pedestrians as consumers. In a walkable neighbourhood, a commuter has multiple opportunities to stop in at local shops or restaurants, either as an end destination or on their way home. As a whole, this ease of access promotes the patronage of local establishments, keeping more of consumers’ money in the community. As well, homes in more walkable neighbourhoods tend to hold higher value. (Not to mention, mitigating the impacts of poor health and carbon emissions isn’t cheap! Preventative measures keep these costs down).
Additionally, the improved health and sustainability resulting from active transit impacts quality of life. A more walkable community is one with better air quality and happier, healthier residents.
And finally: walkable areas are more community-oriented. Active transit provides the opportunity for more interactions with neighbours and local business owners. Public spaces – a hallmark of walkable places – foster community engagement and events. And human-centered communities are safer and more peaceful. When cars aren’t zooming by, pedestrians and cyclists are less likely to be involved in a collision, and public spaces are less likely to be disrupted by noise pollution.
ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION: THE BARRIERS
IS IT SAFE?
The benefits of active transit are well-established, but walking doesn’t come without risks. Over one million people die in road-related accidents every year, and many more are injured. Pedestrians and cyclists are particularly vulnerable. Poor infrastructure (think tripping hazards, lack of bike lanes, etc.) and policies (think vehicle-biased right-of-way laws) threaten the safety of active commuters.
When thinking to the future, city planners can focus on pedestrian-friendly sidewalk network design, protected bike lanes, parks and public spaces, and . Of course, expanding active and public transit networks is a big undertaking. Traditionally, these decisions would involve much guesswork; today, technology can provide much more clarity around the impact of changing any given area. HD maps are one such technology, allowing for efficient and effective identification of areas to target for infrastructure improvement and expansion.
EQUAL ACCESS FOR ALL?
Additionally, when we discuss walkability, equity issues arise. For people with mobility difficulties and/or disabilities, walking may simply not be accessible in areas with poor infrastructure. Gender also matters: women often feel unsafe while traveling alone – especially at nighttime in poorly lit areas. And socioeconomic status plays a role as well: low-income neighbourhoods and neighbourhoods housing largely people of colour tend to be less walkable and less safe.
Without policy change to ensure it, many underserved communities will continue to struggle with safe and accessible active transit. It’s up to cities, governments, and businesses to work together to identify unsafe and inaccessible areas and find a solution. Again – with HD mapping, we can efficiently target areas that pose safety and accessibility risks, and municipalities can use this information to make impactful improvements.
ACTIVE TRANSIT: LET'S STEP IT UP
Overall, while there are many upsides to active transit, some commuters – especially from marginalized populations – do not have safe and equal access. It’s clear that walkability is a desirable factor in a city or neighbourhood. So clear, in fact, that it raises the question: why have we waited so long to prioritize vehicle-free transit?
Active transit is affordable, equity-promoting, health-promoting, and low-emission, and these are current front-of-mind issues. And at a time when gas prices are prohibitive and workers are returning to the office as pandemic restrictions ease, it seems like the obvious choice moving forward.
We have all of the tools and technology we need to make active transit a more viable option as commuters wish to shift away from relying on cars. Let’s make it happen. We’d love to hear your ideas – contact us to start the conversation.