Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit and the City of Barrie want to get people out of their cars, and they want your help.

They are holding an active transportation public information event on Thursday, April 3, to share ideas on how people can make fewer trips in their car.

It’s a concept that is rapidly gaining ground around the world, said Ralph Scheum, Barrie’s manager of infrastructure planning. He said the city has already done many things right in terms of making it easier for people to walk or bike to where they need to go.

The idea also includes incorporating public transit into people’s transportation plans. “There is an active biking network throughout the city,” he said, and while there are not many dedicated bike lanes, cyclists are encouraged to share the curb lane with motorists. The city also has a large network of sidewalks, which are kept clean throughout the year. The city is even installing bike lock posts in the downtown core this spring. The GO train has also returned.

The province has also stepped in, telling municipalities through its Smart Growth plan, to increase urban density and create communities in which residential development is within easy reach of schools, shopping and work.

The city continues to work at bringing professional jobs here, which reduces the need for long commutes.

There is mounting evidence that Active Transportation has many benefits, said Sherry Diaz, a public health nurse with the chronic disease prevention/healthy lifestyles unit with the health unit.

Fewer cars equals less emissions and greenhouse gases. It also encourages physical activity and all the benefits that go with that. But it also generates other benefits, she said. Fewer vehicles on the road mean fewer collisions and the related health and insurance costs.

It also provides economic benefits through reduced road repairs, and some studies have shown there is even a reduction in crime as there “are more eyes on the street,” she said. “It also promotes sociability and interaction with neighbours.”

While municipalities can increase walking and bike lanes, and create communities that encourage walking or biking to work or school, the public also has to be sold on the idea. Changing habits is never easy, acknowledges Diaz, but she believes it’s easier today to encourage people to join in than even two years ago.

The awareness is growing, she said. People are concerned about greenhouse gases. They are worried about their children’s health. “Yes, we live in a fast-paced society,” said Diaz. “It won’t be an easy sell, but it’s important.”

“If we can encourage five per cent to walk and 10 per cent to bike to work, that would be a big help,” said Scheum.

Part of the health unit’s role is to encourage people to be active. It recently added a staff position responsible for providing input on proposed developments before municipalities to promote Active Transportation.

City, health, environment, senior and community groups and interested individuals have been invited to a workshop on April 17. It will focus on learning about the importance of Active Transportation for a community and will enable participants not only assess the current situation, but also determine what is needed to encourage people to leave their cars at home. The final step would be to develop a plan to put these ideas into action.

“There are many other municipalities interested in this as well,” said Diaz and a number are moving ahead with plans of their own. There is even a Simcoe County Active Transportation Network.

The issue is one the health unit has decided to focus on, dedicating a staff member to assist municipalities in urban planning to encourage developing a healthier and more environmentally sound community.

According to the health unit, Canadians are becoming increasingly concerned about air pollution from vehicles. Since more than half of vehicle trips are less than five kilometres, many can be done on foot or by bike. The challenge now is to encourage residents to make the switch.

It’s not just air pollution that is creating health concerns. Rising rates of chronic diseases stemming from inactivity, overweight and obesity are also a concern. The health unit believes that many residents are willing to explore transportation alternatives and cut auto dependency, increase physical activity and decrease the impact on the environment.

Registration and information about the April 17 workshop and the April 3 public forum can be found at the website, a link to which is provided.

The public can learn more about Active Transportation and how they can get involved in getting their community to park the car at the Walking, Biking and Wheeling in Your Community open house. The April 3 event is being held in the multipurpose room in Victoria Village 146 Toronto St., between 4 and 7 p.m.

For general information about community design and active transportation, visit the Health Unit's website.

The workshop received funding through the Public Health Agency of Canada’s 'Population Health Fund.' It is part of the Healthy Communities & the Built Environment project.

Residents interested in commenting, but are unable to attend the open house, can contact Hamid Khan, city landscape architectural technologist, at 739-4220, ext. 4743, or e-mail him at hkahn@barrie.ca. Comment sheets are available on the city website. They should be returned by Friday, April 11.

Here are a few things to consider, courtesy of the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit:
• In 2005, there were 53 smog days in Ontario.
• One major study of women in several American cities published last year showed pollution may increase the risk of heart disease in healthy people by as much as 76 per cent.
• New road construction increases the amount of paved surface, which produces run-off that can negatively affect groundwater quality.

• Neighbourhoods that include playgrounds, that have places for people to meet and that are clean and safe, generally make people feel good about living there.
• Driving long distances to work increases stress, can lead to aggressive driving.