Active Transportation
Walking, cycling, skateboarding, roller-blading: when you get to where you are going by
using your body instead of a car — that's active transportation.
[LEARN MORE ABOUT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION]
Our city is beautiful all year-round. Challenge yourself to move actively from place to place this winter. Perhaps there is a trail or pathway along your route (see links at right). Dress in layers that can be removed as you warm up while moving along your route. The City and KFL&A Public Health are part of the Kingston Coalition for Active Transportation (see link at right) which aims to make Kingston more pedestrian and cyclist-friendly by:
- Promoting cycling and cycling safety.
- Developing bike lanes and a bike network that links popular destinations across Kingston.
- Promoting the use of trails and pathways such as the K&P Trail and waterfront pathways.
- Encouraging residents to use Kingston Transit as their ride around town.
The City is already moving forward on many of the suggested measures based on its Cycling and Pathways Study and the Downtown Action Plan. The links at right also offer an overview of the City's various trail systems and other efforts to encourage active transportation.
Prepare for your active journey
Active transportation is a great way to travel around our beautiful city — to experience its trails, bikeways, sidewalks, and Kingston Transit on your way to where you are going. Remember to keep your active journey enjoyable by planning for your needs before you leave the house.
Review weather information and bulletins, and KFL&A Public Health guidelines to help prepare for your day with:
- Clothing that is appropriate to the weather and your mode of transportation. Make sure you have adequate footwear, eyewear, headgear, and any special clothing you may require (i.e. elbow and knee pads, watch, change of clothes, etc.)
- Food and water. Make sure you have water to keep yourself hydrated during your active journey and enough food to keep you comfortably and healthily fueled (i.e. fruits, sandwiches, low sodium snacks, water in a reliable canister, etc.). Symptoms of light headedness, lack of focus, and/or the inability to sweat are signs of dehydration. Take frequent breaks in the shade and continue to hydrate yourself and maintain adequate food intake throughout your activities.
- Sun Protection. See the great tips on KFL&A Public Health's Sun Safety Sheet. Try to remain in the shade.
- A plan to obey rules of the road. Pedestrians should use the sidewalks whenever possible and to cross at traffic signals and other pedestrian friendly crossings, such as courtesy crossings and well seen/lighted intersections. Cyclists should review and observe the rules of sharing the road.
Don't forget that you can always hop on Kingston Transit and let us do the driving.
