OHCC Public Affairs Committee Position Paper
Active Transportation (AT)
March 2012
Active Transportation
BACKGROUND:
Active Transportation (PHAC, 2000) refers to all human-powered travel, including walking, running, cycling, in-line
skating, snowshoeing, and even canoeing. Walking and cycling are among, if not the most popular.
Given its many benefits, interest in the development or redevelopment of streetscapes and neighbourhoods that
encourage active transportation has been steadily growing in recent years. Those benefits, many of which are
significant in light of current issues and trends, include improved public health, decreased air pollution and green house
gas emissions, lower energy consumption, local economic development, and, where active transportation networks are
well planned, positive impacts on overall community and individual well-being. There are risks associated with active
transportation; without sunscreen there is greater risk of skin damage, being active outside exposes one to pollution ―
especially near heavily used roadways or on smog days, and there is risk of injury or accident. However, according to
Conor, C.O. et al. (2010) and others, the benefits associated with Active Transportation in terms of health,
environmental quality, and infrastructure costs, are substantial (Transport Canada, 2012).
The benefits of active transportation given our obesity epidemic have the
attention of both planners and health professionals. Increasing instances Please comment online if you would
of obesity are linked to sedentary lifestyles and decreasing levels of like to share your insights on Active
Transportation with us.
physical activity (StatsCan, 2011; PHAC, 2011; Government of Canada,
2011). Obesity and physical inactivity are considered risk factors for heart
disease, stroke, and other chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and various cancers. Each
additional kilometre walked per day reduces the likelihood of becoming obese by nearly 5%, while each hour per day
spent in a car increases the likelihood of becoming obese by 6% (Ontario College of Family Physicians, 2005).
Numerous environmental, social, physical and cultural factors influence the adoption of active transportation. Sprawling
communities with street patterns that are not designed with active transportation in mind discourage it (Sherwood, D. &
Bradshaw, C., 2008).
Development characterized by low-density
communities where services, venues, places of work, shops, and other
The Ontario Healthy Communities
Coalition is an incorporated
amenities are well separated from one another, and far from places of
registered charity, established in
residence, results in a dependency on cars (Ontario College of Family
1992, whose mission is "to create
Physicians, 2005). In many municipalities, zoning, development, and
innovative solutions to meet
transportation regulations and guidelines favor less walkable land use
community challenges and build
patterns (Frank, Sallis, Conway, Chapman, Saelens, & Bachman, 2006).
strong, equitable and sustainable
People are more likely to use active transportation when it serves their
communities through education,
engagement and collaboration".
purpose, when trips will be pleasurable and without risk, and when active
transportation - as a mode of transportation - is considered socially
Contributors
acceptable (Transport Canada, 2010). Given the factors that influence our
Eric Tucs, Shazya Karmali
decision to use active transportation, municipalities, community
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Active Transportation (AT)
March 2012
organizations, schools, and our workplaces have a significant role to play (Transport Canada, 2010). Active
transportation is also important to the well being of people living in rural communities, although it is more often than
not considered within an urban context. Promoting active transportation in rural settings is challenging given distances
between important destinations, a "car culture", and reliance on cars (CIA).
Given a better understanding of the factors that influence the adoption of Active Transportation among planners, and a
greater appreciation of the risks associated with a diversity of people using diverse transportation modes, interest in
integrated and balanced transportation networks has grown. Integrated and balanced transportation options, properly
designed, increase the utility of each transportation option, thereby increasing the affordability and accessibility of
transportation (Gordon-Larsen, Nelson, & Beam, 2005).
CURRENT STATUS:
Interest in active transportation, and active transportation planning, among citizens, health professionals, and planners
started building in the late 1980s. Interest continues to grow. At present, the federal government, along with many of
Ontario's municipal governments, health authorities, planners, public institutions, and community organizations are
facilitating the adoption of active transportation in Ontario. While not an exhaustive list, organizations involved in active
transportation include:
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The Clean Air Partnership (www.cleanairpartnership.org/active_transportation)
Toronto Centre for Active Transportation (tcat.ca/)
Active and Safe Routes to School (www.saferoutestoschool.ca/)
The Ontario Professional Planners Institute
(www.ontarioplanners.on.ca/content/Publications/innovativepolicypapers.aspx#healthycommunities)
Share the Road (www.sharetheroad.ca/), and
I can Walk (www.icanwalk.ca/en/home)
Given its positive impact on health, environmental quality, and community well being, active transportation is
fundamental to healthier communities.
RISKS:
The most significant risks associated with the slow or poor uptake of active transportation reflect the probable
consequences of sedentary lifestyles, little physical exercise, high pollution levels, lost time and stress due to traffic
congestion, and little interaction with one's surroundings. There are risks associated with active transportation, which
include exposure to pollution and injury. However, a comparison of the risks associated with the use of active
transportation versus its benefits suggests that the benefits far outweigh the risks. Moreover, many of the risks
associated with active transportation are related to infrastructure design, unsafe practices and habits, and the poor
integration of various modes of transportation (Frank, Conway, Saelens, & Bachman, 2006; Go for Green, 2000; Conor et
al., June 2010).
ACTIONS SUPPORTED BY THE OHCC:
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Research on active transportation, and the dissemination of results
and findings on best practices and the impacts of active transportation
on the social determinants of health.
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Please comment online if you would
like to share news of a healthy policy
or healthy communities project
related to Active Transportation.
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Active Transportation (AT)
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March 2012
Community based initiatives respectful of the healthy communities approaches that are focused on adoption of
active transportation, and the development of integrated and balanced transportation networks that facilitate
inclusion.
Public educational programs, alongside educational programs in institutions and the workplace, which encourage
active transportation, and the safe and respectful use of active transportation networks (Sallis, Cervero, Ascher,
Henderson, Kraft, & Kerr, 2006).
Incentive programs that reward and/or facilitate active transportation among employees, clients, and customers.
Development of healthy policies in support of active transportation.
The design and planning of neighbourhoods, towns, and cities in ways that encourage active transportation.
The installation of public facilities, such as storage for bicycles, that is suited to active transportation users.
Development of safe, enjoyable, and appealing active transportation routes and networks.
Integrated and balanced transportation networks that are designed for efficient transportation as well as recreation
use, that are also designed to facilitate inclusion.
The development of workplace policies, incentives, and facilities that enable the use of active transportation among
employees.
Educational programs on the benefits of active transportation, and on the expectations and responsibilities
associated with sharing routes, paths, and the road with others.
The identification and/or development of safe routes to school that engage parents, children, youth, motorists and
the community, inclusive of skill and safety courses.
OHCC’S ROLE:
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Advocate for active transportation and the development of integrated transportation networks that facilitate social
and economic inclusion, and that improve health, environmental, and economic outcomes.
Disseminate new information and knowledge on the benefits and risks of active transportation in relation to
environmental, social, health, and economic trends.
Research and assess the impacts of active transportation initiatives on individuals' quality of life, and on the social
determinants of health.
Support, if not lead active transportation initiatives that incorporate healthy communities principles and values.
RESOURCES:
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Transport Canada (2010) Active Transportation in Canada; a resource and planning guide (available from
www.tc.gc.ca/urban)
Canadian Obesity Network (www.obesitynetwork.ca)
Childhood Obesity Foundation (www.childhoodobesityfoundation.ca)
Toronto Centre for Active Transportation (www.torontocat.ca)
Transport Canada (www.tc.gc.ca/eng/programs/environment-utsp-casestudyactivetransportation-1069.htm)
Physical Activity Strategy (http://www.physicalactivitystrategy.ca/)
REFERENCES:
Communities in Action (CIA). Active Transportation in a Rural Environment. Retrieved from
http://haliburtoncooperative.on.ca/CIA/our-projects/active-transportation-in-a-rural-environment
Reynolds, Conor C.O., Winters, M., Ries, Francis J., Gouge B. (June 2010). Active Transportation in Urban Areas: Exploring
Health Benefits and Risks. National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health. Retrieved from
http://www.ncceh.ca/sites/default/files/Active_Transportation_in_Urban_Areas_June_2010.pdf
Frank, L.D., Sallis, J.F., Conway, T.L., Chapman, J.E., Saelens, B.E., & Bachman, W. (2006). Many pathways from land use
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Active Transportation (AT)
March 2012
to health: Associations between neighborhood walkability and active transportation, body mass index, and air
quality. Journal of the American Planning Association, 72, 75-87.
Go for Green. (2000). Making the Case for Active Transportation. Retrieved from
http://www.physicalactivitystrategy.ca/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/goforgreen-at-factsheet.pdf
Gordon-Larsen, P., Nelson, M.C., & Beam, K. (2005). Associations among active transportation, physical activity, and
weight status in young adults. Obesity Research, 13, 868-875.
Government of Canada. (2011). Childhood Obesity. Retrieved from http://www.healthycanadians.gc.ca/init/kidsenfants/obesit/index-eng.php
Ontario College of Family Physicians. (2005). Obesity. The Health Impacts of Urban Sprawl, 3, 1-10. Retrieved from
http://www.ocfp.on.ca/docs/committee-documents/urban-sprawl---volume-3---obesity.pdf?sfvrsn=5
Physical Activity Strategy (PAS). BEAT - the Path to Health. Retrieved from
http://www.physicalactivitystrategy.ca/index.php/beat/
Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). (2000).What is Active Transportation? Retrieved from http://www.phacaspc.gc.ca/hp-ps/hl-mvs/pa-ap/at-ta-eng.php
Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). (2011). Obesity in Canada. Retrieved from http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/hpps/hl-mvs/oic-oac/index-eng.php
Rosenberg, D.E., Sallis, J.F., Conway, T.L., Cain, K.L., & McKenzie, T.L. (2006). Active transportation to school over 2 years
in relation to weight status and physical activity. Obesity, 14, 1771-1776.
Sallis, J.F., Frank, L.D., Saelens, B.E., & Kraft, M.K. (2004). Active transportation and physical activity: opportunities for
collaboration on transportation and public health research. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice.
Elsevier, 38, 249-268. doi:10.1016/j.tra.2003.11.003
Sallis, J.F., Cervero, R.B., Ascher, W., Henderson, K.A., Kraft, M.K., & Kerr, J. (2006). An ecological approach to creating
active living communities. Annu. Rev. Public Health, 27, 297-322.
Sherwood, D., Bradshaw, C. (2008). Fitting Places: How the Built Environment Affects Active Living and Active
Transportation. Retrieved from http://www.physicalactivitystrategy.ca/wp/wpcontent/uploads/2008/06/fitting_places-built-environment.pdf
Statistics Canada (StatsCan). (2011), Adult obesity prevalence in Canada and the United States. Retrieved from
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/82-625-x/2011001/article/11411-eng.htm
Transport Canada. (2010). Amenities and programs that encourage active transportation in all seasons. Retrieved from
http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/programs/environment-utsp-allseasontransportation-222.htm
Transport Canada. (2012). The Links between Public Health and Sustainable and Active Transportation. Retrieved from
http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/programs/environment-utsp-publichealth-995.htm
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