How to Add Active Transportation into Your Daily Life Photos courtesy of Bike Walk Ambassador Program
Benefits of Active Transportation Maximize your time, training & transport Relieve your stress, recreation & function Reduce fossil fuel and energy use Improve your health Save money (you and your community) Connect to your environment more Become an Urban Explorer!
How…? Start Thinking About Walking and Biking Differently People walking and biking as transportation are unique from motorists Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis
When you do you... Hennepin Avenue
Shop More Nicollet Mall
Socialize More Nicollet Mall
Stop More Nicollet Mall
Linger and Stroll More
In Copenhagen, t hey measure not only people going by, but also how long they linger
Why is this important? Linden Hills When people linger and stop more they build connections to others and their surroundings: People spend more money in retail areas; There is a reduction in crime; and They build community. This is why they measure this.
What to Look for in a Active Transportation Community…?
Dense Activity Centers with High Quality Destinations 16 th Street Pedestrian Mall, Denver
Wide Sidewalks Nicollet Mall
Streets with Slower Speeds due to Surfaces (e.g. cobblestone) or Congestion Main Street, Minneapolis
Places to Gather Peavey Plaza
Places to Rest and Linger Courtesy of
Major Pedestrian and Cyclist Generators Higher Education Campuses, Large Worksites, Big Housing Developments, and City Centers
What You Need to Know About Biking- –Knowing your Rights and Responsibilities –Learning traffic skills & Safety –Getting things that helps you carry and get around safely Walking- –Thinking about walking as transportation –Knowing how to get around on foot –Gear that helps you walk Driving- –Be a role model for sharing the road –Know and your responsibility in making it safe for Pedestrians and Cyclist.
You Need Communities with High Quality Destinations Communities and “Bikeable” “Walkable” areas need to have High Quality Destinations: –Places with a Density of Necessities- Food, clothing, Home goods, and worksites –Access- sidewalks, streets designed for biking, connected streets or trails. –Supportive mass transportation like buses, light rail, and commuter rail. –Enjoyable Active Transportation Experiences
Know what is in your area… [map it! you can do in Google yourself]
Know Where to Ride or Walk Know where you are and explore Finding a route –Cyclopath: –Google Maps with Walking Directions and Destinations easy to find
Tools to Help You Cyclopath- Smart online Route Finding Google Maps- Walking and Destinations Bike Walk Twin Cities- a Community Bike Walk Ambassadors- an Education
Your Turn… What: Questions, Concerns, and Barriers Do You Have...? What Tips or Successes Do You Have?