Active Transportation
Active Transportation means using human power to get around – and it's a means of transportation the City of Winnipeg is committed to facilitating for all citizens.
Cycling, walking, in-line skating, even cross-country skiing are some examples of how people can get from point A to point B. It can also involve combining modes such as cycling and walking with public transit.
Active transportation systems have many benefits to both people and cities, including:
- Improving physical and mental health
- Reducing traffic congestion
- Reducing long-term stresses on the healthcare system by encouraging healthy lifestyles
- Improving air quality
- Improving road safety for both motorists and cyclists
- Reducing costs associated with driving like fuel, parking and maintenance.
Building a diverse active transportation network involves creating several safe and easy to use pathways and lanes designated for cyclists, pedestrians and motorists. Some of these include:
- Multi-use pathways – a physically separated path that is shared between cyclists and pedestrians.
- Bike paths – a sidewalk level, two-way bike path that is completely separated from motorized traffic and sidewalk traffic by a physical barrier such as a boulevard.
- Cycle track – a bike lane that is physically separated by a curb or a median from traffic lanes and sidewalks.
- Bike lane – dedicated road space for cyclists that are separated from vehicular traffic by signs and pavement markings.
- Diamond lane – reserved lanes that are shared between buses and cyclists.
- Bicycle boulevard – a shared roadway that has been optimized for bike traffic. These discourage cut-through motor vehicle traffic, but typically calms local motor vehicle traffic (most often located on residential streets).
Learn more about active transportation in Winnipeg: