What is a Walkable City?

Paul Hawken’s book, Drawdown, defines walkable cities to include areas where there are safe pedestrian crossings, mass transit connectivity, walkways that are well lit, wide and tree lined, along with a density of homes, workplaces and other spaces. 

Walkable villages, communities, towns and cities have existed since the dawn of time. However, since the invention of the wheel and industrialization, modern urban planning and lifestyle has demanded that more people use some form of transportation to get from one point to another in their daily routines. The use of bicycles, private vehicles and public transit have become necessary to get to jobs, schools, groceries and run errands. Due to this, the distance between people and businesses continues to increase simultaneously with development.

However, decreasing the distance between where people live and where they need to get to on a daily basis without the need for cars and heavy dependence on public transit can greatly reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions, improve mental and physical health and increase human interaction. 

Proper planning and safety are of high importance when promoting a walkable city, as expressed by experts Kristen Agnello, representative from the Canadian Institute of Planners and Dr. Jill Grant, Professor Emeritus, School of Planning, Dalhousie University. Dr. Grant noted that if people are not confident that a physical space is safe and free from crime or violence and even the fear of disease that is being experienced with COVID-19, then people will not go out to walk. Agnello said that safety is impacted by the social and cultural legacy of a city and sometimes the reputation of a city impacts its walkability.

Factors that Promote Walkability

Agnello emphasized that knowing who you are designing for in a city is what makes the difference. If you design a city to encourage the movement of cars, then that’s what you’ll get -the same applies for walkability. To design for walkability Agnello said that walkability is not just encouraged through the implementation of wide sidewalks with curb cuts but also places that are safe and harassment-free. As well as, welcoming for everybody regardless of their socio-spatial factors including race, gender, age, ability and their income. Dr. Grant and Agnello also alluded to the physical elements that promote walkability which included wide, clear pathways (around 1.5 – 3m wide) without tripping elements that are optimal for people with disabilities (wheelchair and cane-safe) and strollers. It also gives space for people to pass each other comfortably.

Regarding other elements, Agnello stated that art incorporated into the architectural design such as on street walls and buildings, as well as, art installations on streets are important. Similarly, someone’s walk is made more interesting, comfortable and walkability is promoted when small pocket parks with seating near architecture exist and when spaces have a sense of enclosure, such as when tree canopies are incorporated into the surrounding space. Dr. Grant said that greenspaces, paths near water and other picturesque elements encourage walkability as well. She also mentioned that connectivity and predictability of pathways such as a route without dead-ends or one that brings someone back to their starting point can also encourage more walking.

Weather and the seasons also play a big factor in enticing the public to walk. Dr. Grant noted that an example includes heated sidewalks being installed in Scandinavia which promotes walkability in the winter. Shading from trees is also important, especially during the summer. Agnello brought up the point of the temporal aspect of a day where foot traffic varies and suggested that good lighting at night is important for providing a sense of safety.

While the focus is usually on people needing somewhere to walk to, emphasis should also be placed on where people need to walk from. Having housing closer to a destination like stores, jobs, school and places for recreation and other services similar to that of a compact community can promote walkability. Agnello pointed out that having a mix of commercial and residential land use is critical. She also said that while walking is vital, a city with mixed land uses and modes of vehicles such bicycles, transit and pedestrians is important since not everyone can walk for long periods of time. An inclusive environment is promoted with rest points where people can meet new individuals, converse or simply observe the surroundings. Having transit within 10 minute walk nodes is also convenient.

Promoting a walkable city comes with benefits which include physical and mental health, community cohesion and economic gain. Health benefits from exercise and walking can have positive impacts on cholesterol, diabetes and obesity. Mental health benefits would be on the rise especially for seniors who may be isolated and confined to their homes with little human interaction. Walking will help with community cohesion as it promotes more public interaction. Economically, walking makes it easier for you to make purchases from shops along your route compared to if you were driving.

The success of the city being walkable can be obtained when community engagement is considered in the process as the public will be able to make decision-makers aware of factors that are important in the planning process. Dr. Grant mentioned that people have always been interested in trails, bike-ways and other infrastructure for walking and hiking. Ensuring that greenspace and recreational activity are incorporated into walkable spaces will promote walking as a norm. More information on this can be found in the following article on greenways and greenbelts.

The Present, Past and Future of Walkable Cities 

Cities like Vancouver, Montreal and Banff have small pockets of walkable areas. Agnello said Banff particularly did a great job in the design and functionality of the streetscape making it simple for a small tourist town by having great signage, scramble intersections allowing for efficient crossing and having a mix of different conditions in the sidewalk. Dr. Grant mentioned that the size of the city also impacts walkability and its efficiency increases in areas with small –scale streets such as in Kingston and Halifax.

In the past, cities were set up differently from what we see today. During the time of urban planning and development’s guru, Jane Jacobs, in her book, ‘The Death and Life of Great American Cities’ she wrote about sidewalks and its relationship with safety and for children’s play, parks, neighbourhoods, diversification and densification for lively cities. According to Dr. Grant, Jane Jacobs focused on making cities more mixed use and interactive. Agnello stated that Jacobs sheds light on the fact that cities have an impact on us but we need to understand that everyone has a right to exist and benefit from a space but in order to have an equitable walkable city this factor must be addressed. 

Car-dominant cities can transition into being more walkable cities if governments and municipalities find walkability measures, measure those parameters and monitor them over time. Agnello said that it is also important for the policies, designs and plans of cities to be scrutinized for exclusionary language (e.g. in terms of diversity and equity) and also for preferential treatment of vehicles (e.g. excessive parking requirements especially heritage buildings). She also stated that we need to be cognizant of the fact that policies in one area may affect the walkability of a community in another location since it was not necessarily tailored to that particular time or place.

In modern society Walk Scores are available for places (see table). The closer the walk score is to 100, the easier it is to walk to get errands done. In the “Walking the Walk” study by CEO’s for Cities, it was seen that a one point increase in a Walk Score can increase property value in a variety of housing markets by US$500 to US$3,000. Despite this price varying with location, this shows that having walkable cities not only benefit the physical health of residents and the nearby businesses they patronize, but also help the real estate market.

Walkability of a city promotes improvement in mental and physical health, as well as, stimulates the local economy. It can be observed that cities are seen as more walkable if the architecture and landscape are appealing. However walkability of a city works best when the planning, designing and implementation of infrastructure are considered from an inclusive lens. 

Want more stories like this? This article is featured in our next issue, Getting There: The Ecosystem of Human Movement. Check out the next issue for more!

References

Cortright, J. (2009, August). Walking the Walk: How Walkability Raises Home Values in U.S. Cities [PDF]. Impresa Inc.

The post TAKING IT TO THE STREETS appeared first on A\J.

When you attend Hillside Music Festival at Guelph Lake, Ontario you enter an eco-village where sustainability and community are top priorities. This 36 year old grassroots organization opens up a world of possibilities and solutions that other events can strive towards. They set the bar high with thoughtful innovations that have earned them several awards over the years. It’s a paradigm shift and hopefully a glimpse into the future of all music festivals.

Here are some of the highlights of how Hillside operates a zero-waste, eco-conscious concert experience. 

01: Seed Swap

Hillside offers a seed swap where you can bring seeds from your garden and exchange them for something different. It’s an amazing way to build your garden’s biological diversity.

02: Bike Lot

Hillside is located about 10 km from the nearest town but it seems that biking is the preferred method of transportation for many people. This bike lot offers a secure place to store your ride during the festival.

03: Independent Food Vendors

You won’t see a chain anywhere at this festival. The food vendors are all independent businesses carefully vetted by the organizers. You can get some seriously gourmet grub here, from organic ice cream to a fresh oyster bar. Hillside is a foodies’ paradise.

04: Zero-Waste Dining

This part is mind-blowing. All the food vendors are supplied with reusable plates, cups, and cutlery to serve their food on which are then washed by volunteers. No paper plates, plastic cups, forks etc. Food vendors are also not allowed to sell bottled water.

05: Trash Turnaround Areas

These are scattered around the island to handle trash. There is a bin for compost, dirty dishes to be washed, recyclables (paper, plastic, cans), and landfill (usually empty). People are diligent about keeping the island clean and their trash sorted. All the bins are carted away on a trike.

06: Water Refill Station

BYOB as in bottle. The City of Guelph sends a truck full of their great-tasting tap water for people to fill up their own reusable water bottles for free. There are no single-use plastic water bottles anywhere and it’s glorious.

07: Eco Merch

The Hillside wristband is made out of cloth instead of plastic and the reusable beer and wine cups are made from stainless steel.

08: Zero Waste Drinking

The beer is on tap and sourced from local microbreweries. The wine is from Ontario. To purchase a cold one, you must have your own Hillside reusable cup, which are sold at cost for $6.

09: Indigenous Circle

The area hosts story-telling, music, dancing, workshops and ceremonies.

10: Solar-Powered Charging Stations

You have to keep your phone charged at a festival. What if the performer asks for crowd flashlight action? Hillside has you covered with several charging stations powered by solar panels. It does a great job charging your phone quickly and there are quite a few outlets available.

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At this point in the election, discussion on the economy, budget and taxes may seem exhaustive. Although these remain important issues, it is often argued in the place of authentic environmental discussion.

“I think that it’s fair to say that the parties have not really understood the urgency of climate change,” said Gideon Forman, climate change and transportation policy analyst at the David Suzuki Foundation. “The economy is a little subsection of the environment and if we don’t protect the environment we won’t have an economy.” This type of holistic thinking is something that he believes is missing in election discussions.

I think that it’s fair to say that the parties have not really understood the urgency of climate change – Gideon Forman

The transportation sector is intricately linked with the environment, making up to 25 per cent of Canada’s total emissions. Although largely impacting the environment, transportation in terms of alleviating climate change has been overlooked by electoral candidates. Currently, each of the main political parties have promised different amounts of funding towards public transit infrastructure in municipalities across Canada.

“Putting money into public transportation is not a problem,” says Forman. “Surely they should be putting more dollars into public transportation, but it is not the whole solution.” Funding public transportation alone, is just scratching the surface of greenhouse gas reductions according to Forman. He says electoral candidates need to put forward more creative and innovative ideas to get Canadians out of cars and using public and active modes of transportation.

Forman has a few ideas for how to get this done — without costing the federal government large amounts of money. The first is improving cycling infrastructure. The lack of proper cycling infrastructure in many Canadian municipalities deters would-be cyclists from using their bikes. This is due to the safety concerns connected with poor cycling infrastructure. By implementing bike lanes, specifically bike lanes that are separated by posts or dividers from main car lanes, cyclists will feel safer and their numbers will rise.

Public opinion on cycling safety can also be improved through the reduction of speed limits. Forman says that reducing speed limits by 10km/h on some roads will greatly encourage cyclists to use their bikes. Although the federal government is not responsible for setting speed limits, they can certainly put pressure on provinces and municipalities to change local by-laws and place signs to outline theses changes.  Forman said these solutions are a virtuous cycle; when the roads feel safe, more people will choose to ride their bikes and with more people ride their bikes, the roads will feel safer, ultimately increasing the amount of cyclists on the road. 

The economy is a little subsection of the environment and if we don’t protect the environment we won’t have an economy.

In addition to bicycles, another way to discourage the use of cars is to develop pedestrian plazas. Pedestrian plazas are converted street spaces that are able to accommodate large groups of pedestrians by providing an open space to walk and lounge through. Pedestrian plazas have been implemented in various areas of New York City, including Times Square, where it has proven to reduce traffic-related injuries and improve local businesses. Forman says this could be developed in Canadian cities to make them more attractive to pedestrians. It is a win-win solution, improving local economies and encouraging active transportation.

Lastly, Forman suggests that political parties should push for a movement away from trucks as the main mode of freight transportation. Freight trucks produce 12 times more greenhouse gas emissions than freight trains and make drivers feel unsafe on the roads. The switch to freight trains would make transporting freights more fuel efficient thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pollution. Increased freight trains would also lead to decreased congestion on Canadian highways. 

The reality is that Canada needs to decarbonize and phase out sources of carbon dioxide. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Canada does not have to be costly. With a little more creativity, imagination and initiative from the federal government, Canada can make huge improvements in public transit and active transport and reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions.

The post Let’s Talk Transportation appeared first on A\J.

Most folks know why cycling is awesome. We understand the good it does for the planet as a sustainable form of transportation. We’re fully aware that it’s a great way to stay healthy. And we sure as heck don’t need to be reminded of the hit our wallets take at the gas pumps when we choose cars instead. So knowing all this, why aren’t more people making their bicycle a go-to choice for getting from A to B?

At The Otesha Project – a charitable organization that organizes sustainability-focused cycling tours – we’re all about the bike love. So to help spread some of that love, we thought we’d take a look at some of the common barriers that keep people from incorporating cycling into their daily routine.

Gear

With several Otesha bicycle tours under her belt, Kayla Siefried knows how important it is to have the right equipment. “If you are just getting into cycling and you have a bicycle that doesn’t fit you properly, has a bad seat and doesn’t switch gears smoothly, it may turn you off of cycling,” she says.

You don’t need to spend a fortune on a new bike, but visiting your local bike co-op or shop to get one properly fitted can be the difference between a jolly jaunt and gruelling grind. Tune-ups are key too – a bit of air in the tires, grease on the chain and new brake pads go a long way.

A few accessories can also make your commutes to work or the grocery store a lot more enjoyable. A backpack for your work clothes and lunch will get the job done, but investing in a pannier or two means less weight (and sweat) on your back. Meanwhile, fenders help keep mud puddles and wet streets at bay. And at the very least, safe cycling means you’ll want a good helmet, lock and bell, as well as front and rear lights for those late nights at the office.

As for what to wear, relax: you don’t need to be decked from head to toe in spandex. For increased visibility, choose bright clothes or a safety vest. Kayla also recommends layers. “Sometimes the clothes you start out with aren’t the same ones you want on after you’ve climbed a big hill or when it starts to drizzle!” she says.

Want to know more? Check out Otesha’s primer on choosing the right bike gear.

Safety

Safety concerns are another oft-cited reason people hesitate when it comes to cycling. “Many people want to try cycling in the city for transportation, but are intimidated by unsafe road conditions and inexperience,” says Gareth Davies, Director of the Ottawa-based non-profit Citizens for Safe Cycling.

Getting past that intimidation takes a bit of forethought and planning. Get to know the rules of the road and map out a safe route. I remember several nerve-wracking months when I first started cycling to and from work in Mississauga. I eventually wised up, and thanks to Google Map’s bike directions feature and some helpful tips from colleagues already making the pedal-powered commute, I found a much safer and quieter way to go. Sure it took an extra five minutes, but the peace of mind was well worth it.

When you are on the road, be on the lookout for potholes, sewer grates and road debris. “Keep your head on a swivel,” says Gareth. “Shoulder check often, be aware of people and cars moving, and anticipate to avoid conflict.”

The bigger picture

Of course, the path to truly awesome cycling goes beyond a tuned-up bike and an understanding of traffic laws. Creating a vibrant cycling community often means addressing structural barriers. Show your support by attending bike festivals and joining local campaigns that advocate for more and better bike lanes. Contact your city councillor about investing more in cycling infrastructure. Talk to your kids’ school about implementing cycling education programs.

On the nine-to-five front, chat with your boss or HR manager about making your workplace more bike-friendly. Whether it’s installing bike racks and showers, providing a secure place to store your ride or spearheading bike-to-work days, there are loads of ways companies can build cycling into their corporate culture.

From a motivation perspective, be sure to give cycling a fair shake. Sure, you’ll have a sore bum the first couple rides, but stick with it – you’ll be a comfortable and confident rider in no time. Try easing into it by committing to bike to work every other day for a month. That’ll also give you time to work out the kinks as your body and mind get used to the new routine. Riding with a buddy or co-worker is also a great way to stay motivated.

Finally, remind yourself that choosing a bike means shrinking your gas bill, shrinking your waistline and – most importantly ­– shrinking you carbon footprint.  “It’s super empowering,” says Kayla. “Using a bike to get around a town or city, you are free – you can come and go as you please, you get great incidental exercise and it’s a hoot.”

Gareth couldn’t agree more. “It’s easier than you think,” he says, “and it could change your whole life.”
 

Check out the six essential pieces of cycling gear for commuters at Green Living online. 

Bike Month runs from May 25 to June 25 in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area with a full calendar of events, from workshops to community bike rides. Find out more at bikemonth.ca.

The post Setting Yourself up for Cycling Success appeared first on A\J.

EACH WEEK, A\J staffers share our favourite facts & findings from whatever books, articles, documentaries, podcasts and other media we’ve been consuming. Here’s what we’ve learned this week!

Things from the Internet!

Photojournalist Martin Edström has taken a series of 360° panoramic images of Son Doong, the world’s largest cave, in Vietnam. 
Source: National Geographic \ Found by Rachel

An international committee of taxonomists has chosen their top ten species discovered in 2014 from more than 18,000 choices! Highlights include a species of spider that cartwheels and a feathered dinosaur with chicken-like features.
Source: The ESF Top 10 New Species for 2015 \ Found by Jordan

Walk Score recently released its annual list of America’s most cycling-friendly cities, with Cambridge, Massachusetts, taking the the top spot. The company takes into account bike-lane availability, plus the number of hills in a city, bike-commuting rates, and how often bikers have to de-saddle along their routes, among other factors.
Source: Grist \ Found by Rachel

A study by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) recently concluded that solar energy holds the best potential for meeting the planet’s long-term energy needs while reducing greenhouse gases.
Source: Computerworld \ Found by Rachel

According to a new study led by Yale University, worms and other small soil-dwelling animals act as a buffer against climate change by feeding on microbes that release carbon dioxide from decaying organic matter.
Source: Al Jazeera America \ Found by Rachel

Things from Videos!

A time-lapse video shows how bees develop, from larvae to when they hatch.
Source: National Geographic \ Found by Rachel

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EACH WEEK, A\J staffers share our favourite facts & findings from whatever books, articles, documentaries, podcasts and other media we’ve been consuming. Here’s what we’ve learned this week!

On May 16th, Ecuador plans to break the World Record for tree planting in a historic reforestation blitz.
Source: The Independent \ Found by nik

People who commute on foot or by bicycle are happier, sleep better and are better able to deal with problems than those who drive to work.
Source: Fast Company \ Laura

Leaving electronic devices – like computers – on all the time consumes an average of 164 watts per home, according to a new report from the National Resource Defense Council. That’s the equivalent of brewing 234 cups of coffee every day for a year, and a really easy way to cut your energy consumption.
Source: Treehugger \ Found by Laura

A Dutch solar bike path pilot project is outperforming expectations. The 70-metre-long SolaRoad has generated enough power for a single-person household for one year in just six months. Roads are next.
Source: CBC \ Found by David

Sri Lanka has become the first nation in the world to comprehensively protect all of its mangrove forests.
Source: BBC \ Rachel

An elephant saved a human baby’s life after tearing a house down in conflict over blocked migration route.
Source: Times of India \ Found by nik

NEW STUDY: Scientists discover that the Earth is endangered by a new strain of fact-resistant humans.
Source: The New Yorker \ Found by nik

The award-winning Epuron renewables commercial still feels fresh and utterly charming after 8 years.
Source: YouTube \ Found by nik

Genital warfare: Many species of hawkmoth have evolved a handy way of jamming bat sonar.
Source: Futurity.org \ Found by nik

The post The Best Things Ever of All Time, This Week! appeared first on A\J.

Things from the Internet!

Stockholm’s newest parking garage is only for bikes!
Source: Fast Company \ Found by nik

Each week, A\J staffers will be sharing our favourite facts & findings from whatever books, articles, documentaries, podcasts and other media we’ve been consuming. Here’s what we’ve learned this week.

Things from the Internet!

Stockholm’s newest parking garage is only for bikes!
Source: Fast Company \ Found by nik

The deepest hole on Earth was drilled over a period of 24 years and is 12 kilometres deep – that’s deeper than the lowest point of the ocean!
Source: atlasobscura \ Found by Samantha

While Samantha’s heart has beat 800 million times in her life so far, a hummingbird’s has beat 13 billion times!
Source: BBC Earth – Your Life on Earth \ Found by Samantha

Avocados have the least pesticides: only 1 percent of samples tested by EWG showed any detectable pesticides. (Apples, peaches, nectarines, strawberries, grapes, celery, spinach, sweet bell peppers, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, imported snap peas and potatoes have the most pesticides.)
Source: EWG’s 2015 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce \ Found by Laura

Things from Podcasts!

Canada and the US are the only two countries in the world that regularly embalm their dead, and our burial habits use a lot of resources. In a typical North American cemetery, 10 acres hold “enough coffin wood to fully rebuild 40 homes, enough embalming compound to fill a small backyard swimming pool, 200 tons of concrete, and 1,000 tons of steel.” Every year, there’s enough concrete used in US burial vaults to “build a two-lane highway halfway across the US” and enough metal in caskets to “completely rebuild the Golden Gate Bridge.”
Source: Mark Harris, author of Grave Matters, on CBC Radio’s Ideas \ Found by Laura

Check out the Natural Burial Association for other options, if you’re so inclined. Other options: biourns make your ashes grow into a tree. Your ashes can also be turned into corals!
Sources: Bios Urn and Eternal Reefs \ Found by Samantha

Things from Documentaries!

African wild dogs are co-operative hunters – they communicate with each other to track down one prey that they all share. It took the Planet Earth crew days just to be able to film a few minutes of their hunting practices, with a camera that can zoom in from kilometres away!
Source: Planet Earth: From Pole to Pole documentary \ Found by Samantha

Things from Books!

A 30-minute walk burns about as many calories as you’ll consume in a glass of wine or beer (120-180 calories, depending on your weight; 5 oz of red wine is 123 calories and 12 oz of beer is 153 calories). Walking for 30 minutes a day, five times a week can improve your blood pressure by five points and cuts your odds of catching a cold in half.
Source: Why I Walk by Kevin Klinkenberg \ Found by Laura

Shameless plug

33 per cent of land across the globe is moderately to highly degraded from erosion, salinization, compaction, acidification and chemical pollution. The irony is that the main culprit of soil degradation is the thing that most relies on healthy soil: agriculture.
Source: The Mouthful, A\J’s food blog

Quiz of the Week

Our managing editor is “tiny house curious,” according to this quiz from Yerdle. What’s your tiny house personality?

Found by Laura

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Think Global is a new blog series from Canada Conserves’ Chris Winter. During a year-long trip around the world, Chris will be sharing examples of how other countries are dealing with climate change, resource scarcity and economic turmoil, showcasing the role of culture in our ability to tackle big environmental issues and teasing out ideas and approaches that we can apply at home.

After a week in Paris, it was our son, Aran, who figured out the difference between Parisians and Torontonians. “In Paris,” he observed, “the drivers are polite and the pedestrians are pushy.” France is the first stop on our family’s year-long world tour and already there are lessons to be learned.

In Paris the drivers are polite and the pedestrians are pushy.

Getting around in Paris is actually the reverse of Toronto. The drivers make room for everyone, including bikes and pedestrians. Rarely do people honk, and even then politely even though the city is a maze of narrow streets and bustling boulevards. The traffic ballet at the Arc de Triomphe circle, where incoming rather than outgoing vehicles have the right of way, is amazing. Somehow it works, because everyone knows the system.

The pedestrians of Paris are a different matter. Sidewalks are freeways, meant for walking. If you want to stop, you need to pull over or risk being run over by a Parisian who will give you a “pffft” of contempt. Streetside cafés press patrons against pedestrians, but the narrow strip of pavement is meant for walking.

Like anywhere else you have to know the unwritten, as well as the written, rules of the road. It’s the culture of getting around; something Europe has in spades and we Canadians seem to lack.

While there are many things to learn and copy from the French and European approach, “subways, subways, subways” is not one of them.

Torontonians dream about being world class. We’d love to be like London or Paris, with a twisting network of subterranean pipes whisking us from any point of the city to another; or like Stockholm, where bikes are welcome and room is made available. While there are many things to learn and copy from the French and European approach, “subways, subways, subways” is not one of them.

For starters, Toronto is not Paris. One may think we are similar, given that the population of the City of Paris is 2.5 million, which is in the same ballpark as the City of Toronto. But when you consider that the City of Paris covers 87 square kilometres and Toronto takes in 630 square kilometres, the difference becomes obvious. Toronto simply does not have the density or the tax base to support a massive subway system.

The LRT in Angers.

But that doesn’t mean we can’t take action. France is full of examples of municipalities that have built new transit lines. Angers (population 148,000) has a new streetcar line running through the city, inaugurated in 2011. Toulouse (population 500,000) has new driverless subway and LRT lines that were built in the last decade. Toulouse also has mini-buses plying the tight pedestrian-filled downtown streets. The French work with what they have, and make it better. While some forward progress is being made in Toronto, we still seem to be mired in debate around which plan should be followed and what the actual timeframe should be.

Cycling provides even better examples of the French commitment to act. Less than ten years ago, Paris decided to become a bike-friendly city. By 2010, it had over 440 km of cycle paths, with plans to increase to 700 km by 2014. Toronto has over 550 km, which sounds comparable until we remember the difference in size of the two regions. Toronto’s bike lanes are a patchwork that end at the most inconvenient if not dangerous points; Paris has integrated bike safety onto every street and intersection.

What we saw in Paris was an amazing network of bike routes, including separated lanes, bus and bike lanes, contraflow streets and even bike lanes on sidewalks. Velib’ bikes abound, part of the 20,000 bikes and 1,800 stations across the city. Cyclists were well behaved, alert and moving seamlessly between cars and pedestrians. Parisian cyclists told us they need to be ever vigilant on the streets, but they acknowledge that cycling in the city has evolved rapidly over the last ten years.

The difference is cultural. From the moment Paris decided to become bike-friendly, the government and people both made space for bikes in their already crowded streets. It’s not just Paris. In Toulouse, we saw contraflow bike lanes on streets one half the width of those in Toronto’s residential areas.

The lessons for us back home are clear. First, we need to decide what type of city we want to be: car-dependent, or multi-modal? The answer is already pretty clear: we love our vibrant neighbourhood villages, and we want easy and affordable transit into the city core and between communities.

The second lesson is to act: to empower our governments and planners to enact change. The answer lies not in political platforms, but in the capacity to make things happen. Our institutional gridlock rivals anything we can find on the road, and that too is part of our evolving culture of caution.

We have been pressed into being angry by opportunistic political forces, and we are mired in rules, consultations and layers of bureaucracy.

Canada, and Toronto in particular, is a cultural mash-up. We embrace immigrants and the mix of cultures they bring. We are renowned as being an open and friendly country. We are also a young culture, vulnerable to outside influences. We have been pressed into being angry by opportunistic political forces, and we are mired in rules, consultations and layers of bureaucracy. Our national image is being redefined.

European culture is centuries old and forms the core of how governments and society respond to emerging challenges. By contrast, in Canada, how we respond to these challenges will mold our culture for generations to come. We need an army of planners and paint cans to transform our streets in a way that says “This is Canada, all are welcome here.” We need a common sense, no nonsense approach to transit that integrates the best of European and other ideas into our own communities, towns and cities.

It comes down to this: safe cycling and public transit are important investments in our communities, our environment and our economy. They need to become part of our culture.

A Toulouse street.

The post The Culture of Getting Around appeared first on A\J.

For most people, a camping weekend involves loading up the car with gear and making a grueling trek on the 400-series highways. But the cumulative impact of all those vehicles actually degrades the wild lands in our conservation areas, provincial and national parks that we’re trying to protect. Air pollution from exhaust, noise pollution, highway construction and impacts to local ecosystems – wildlife mortality in areas adjacent to wetlands, for eample – make it a destructive way to enjoy our natural heritage.

Add to that the record high gas prices and extraordinary levels of construction and traffic congestion, and leaving the car at home starts to look like an attractive option. While our local transit networks can leave a lot to be desired, they can actually offer a cheap and convenient alternative to car camping. It does take a bit more organisation and planning, but can be a rewarding and relaxing alternative to the car – not to mention cheaper!

A gorgeous sunset is much easier to enjoy when you’re not dreading the drive home on Sunday.
Photo: Dan Beare

Torontonians can take the TTC to nearby Glen Rouge campground, located in Rouge Park, soon to be Canada’s first and only National Urban Park. Kitchener-Waterloo residents can take the GRT to Laurel Creek Conservation Area. GO Transit opens up further opportunities, such as Rockwood Conservation Area outside of Guelph, which I review below.

If you want to spend a bit more time and money you can visit Bruce Peninsula National Park, Six Mile Lake, Killarney and Algonquin using the ParkBus service, or other destinations throughout the province using the BikeTrain service. Keep in mind these parks are often remote and in bear country. I would suggest a local trip first if you’re new to such adventures. You can read A\J’s review of the ParkBus camping experience here. Let us know what options there are in your neck of the woods in the comments!

Let’s GO to Rockwood

Rockwood Conservation Area, accessible by GO Transit.
Photo: Dan Beare

Recently my partner and I made our way to nearby Rockwood, Ontario, for a night of camping. We left Toronto on the 31 Kitchener GO bus for just $25 round-trip each. The bus stop is conveniently located right outside the entrance to the park and after registering at the park gate it was a brief hike to our campsite, which we had reserved ahead of time online. Just a few hours after departing downtown Toronto we were on the water canoeing Rockwood Conservation Area, enjoying wildlife like cliff swallows and blue herons.

Waiting for the GO bus. What you see here is
all the gear required for a 1-night stay (except food).

Amenities including drinking water, firewood, ice, electric washrooms and warm showers are available in the park. The park itself offers two interpretive hiking trails through unique geological features, spectacular cliffs and caves, the ruins of an old woolen mill, as well as canoe rentals, fishing, swimming, and even miniature golf. The park is small enough that walking was possible, although we could have brought bikes on the GO bus bike racks (no bike rentals available in the park). In town, less than a 30-minute walk away, there is a convenience store, restaurant, hardware store, banks and a grocery store. This allowed us to buy what food we needed once we had arrived in Rockwood so we didn’t have to haul it with us on the bus.

Tips for Car-Free Camping

To make sure you’d be comfortable going car-free perhaps try a walk-in campsite first; many provincial parks offer this option, where you park your vehicle a short distance from the campsite and carry your gear in. Chances are if you can survive a walk-in site you’ll be fine, and it’s useful for determining what gear you don’t really need to bring. If you’ve never been camping before check the Ontario Parks website for information. If you don’t want to buy expensive equipment Mountain Equipment Co-op offers competitive rates on the rental of tents, sleeping bags, food barrels and backpacks. If you’re lucky enough to still be a university student, join the Outers Club (small fee required) to take advantage of cheap rentals for stoves, sleeping bags, first aid kits and lanterns.

When packing the trick is to bring as little as possible. For anyone who has gone interior hiking or canoeing this is knowledge quickly learned after navigating through difficult portages. There are plenty of websites and YouTube videos with tips for minimizing equipment to reduce weight. Consider not bringing a stove and fuel and instead do most of your cooking over the fire. Some parks have food storage lockers available for a refundable deposit so that car-free campers can store food overnight without worrying about attracting bears and raccoons, otherwise a food barrel is a good idea.

Finally, it is important to realize that car-free camping requires a significant amount of planning and logistics, mostly because the amount of equipment you can bring is limited to how much you’re willing to carry. If you’re not bringing a bike be sure to pick a destination that is relatively walkable! You can use Google Maps to plot distances using the walking feature (see example here). Severe weather or personal injuries can lead to danger so tell people where you’ll be going and bring a cell phone, radio, and always remember a first aid kit.

Good luck!

Resources

Check out the links below for parks close to the GTHA suitable for car-free camping. Let us know your favourite car-free camping locations in the comments.

• Camping In and Around Toronto (BlogTO)
• Toronto & Region Conservation camping information
• Grant River Conservation Authority camping information
• Valens Lake Conservation Area
• All Ontario Conservation Areas with campgrounds

Editor’s Note:
Purely by coincidence, I had my own inaugural car-free camping experience this weekend, a 40-minute leisurely bike ride from downtown Kitchener to Laurel Creek Conservation Area in north Waterloo. If you’re lucky enough to have a campground within biking distance – especially if the route is mostly flat trails – and someone strong enough to haul your gear in a bike trailer (thanks Janice!), I highly recommend it! – Laura McDonald

En route to Laurel Creek via the Laurel Trail.
Photo: Laura McDonald
 

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City councillor David Chernushenko’s documentary “Bike City, Great City”  showcases the facet of Ottawa transportation that is ready to shine: cycling. With a “silver” rating in terms of cyclist accessibility, designated by the League of American Bicyclists and the Share the Road Coalistion, Chernushenko shows how the nation’s capital can reach the same standard as bicycle-friendly Copenhagen.

The film acknowledges the video of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford’s infamous statement that, “roads are built for buses, cars and trucks. Not for people on bikes”. The overwhelming opposition in “Bike City, Great City” challenges his belief, and everyone from politicians to cycling professionals speak up about the rights of the road.

Co-editor of the book City Cycling Ralph Buehler explains how cycling-friendliness makes for healthier cities by bringing people outside and encouraging them to be physically active, as well as reducing the pollution and energy use.

For the most part, the city council of Ottawa is in agreement that improvements can be made to make it a cyclist-friendly place. Developments such as more bike lanes to connect gaps between streets and safer bike parking are in progress for approval, and Chernushenko’s film aims to encourage the progress.

One of the most highlighted reasons North Americans don’t commute to work or school by bicycle is fear of ruining their appearance by being sweaty or windswept. Many associate cycling with spandex shorts and hair-crushing helmets. Ottawa Velo Vogue kickstarted an annual bicycle fashion show in 2012 to counter this thinking. Ensembles range from heels to flats, work pants to dresses, while the models ride on vintage and new bicycles to show their clothing choices don’t impact their ability to travel.

Chernushenko also points out the often-overlooked benefit of profits in retail neighbourhoods that can accommodate the needs of bikers. One example is how the protected bike parking created on Manhattan’s 8^th and 9^th Avenues and the Vanderbilt Avenue in Brooklyn, New York resulted in a 50% increase in retails sales of those areas. Storeowners have noticed that although cyclists don’t purchase as much in one stop, they do stop more often.

The film offers some great tips to help audience members incorporate cycling into their transportation habits:

• Teach children to ride: The best habits start young! By showing children how to ride bicycles, kids will be encouraged to stay active and be outside. More schools are implementing an after-school bike club that teaches basic skills to students. Check city program guides to see if any programs are available in your area.
• Talk about it: Ask politicians to help make cycling safer in your city. Tell retail owners and businesses how you travelled to their locations. Start conversations with neighbours and colleagues.
• Ask for bike benefits: Many workplaces are beginning to offer accomodations for cyclists, such as better bike racks and bike parking, as well as lockers and showers in workplaces.

Manny Sanudo of the Five Borough Bicycle Club leaves his lasting comments in the film, sharing his thoughts on a biker’s rights to the road. “This is where we belong. This is part of our city. We are doing more for the city and keeping it more clean and breathable and liveable than they are when they have one person in a big fat-ass car.”

Bike City, Great City, David Chernushenko, Ottawa: Capital Motion Picture Group, 2013, 40 minutes.

Find upcoming screenings or order a copy of the film at bikecitythemovie.ca.

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