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Table of Contents
Introduction
Introduction
Active Transport or Active Transit refer to transportation options that require your own energy instead of batteries or fossil fuels.
Active transit is the healthiest type since it encourages activity (lowering a community's overall health costs), reducing congestion and the dangerous air pollution that comes with it.
Vehicles make roads very dangerous while comparatively few accidents are caused by walkers, bikes, scooters, or skate boards. Accidents between people enjoying active transport are rarely
About This Page
About This Page
First we discuss safety (especially important when starting out a new mode of transportation!), then list examples of active transportation from most efficient and eco-friendly, to modes that are less efficient and/or have higher environmental impact.
As active transport tends to be far more healthy and eco-friendly than passive options, we urge you to look for the best transportation for you and your lifestyle, rather than worry about perfection. When discussing topics, like the environmental cost of skateboarding, we hope to raise awareness so that people can look for eco-
Safety First!
Safety First!
Eco-friendly traveling can require us to consider things we might not have worried about before. Letting kids travel to school on their own can be scary for us adults, but sometimes our fears aren't reflected by the data. For example some people worry about their kids being safe from strangers when out on their bikes, but studies found that girls with bikes were safer than girls without access to bikes, because they could move more freely and faster than children on foot.
Similarly people assume cars keep their kids safe, but the data shows most travel-related deaths being linked to drivers of cars.
Whether you walk or ride with your kid, or let them travel alone, children will be safer if you:
Establish rules and boundaries. Let them know if there is a road they can't pass, this boundary should expand as their become more reliable. Tell them if there is a time they need to be home by, and who to go to if they can't get home or another emergency happens.
If your mode of travel requires safety gear like a helmet or knee pads, make sure these fit properly and that children know they have to wear them every time they want to ride or roll. Click here to learn about properly fitting a helmet and basic bike-safety tips.
Travel around with them before letting them go out alone. Young children need to learn with a trusted adult how to safely cross a road, where important land marks are (the park or library for example), this can help them avoid getting lost.
Make a plan for you child in case they get lost. This should include an up-to date photo of your child, as well as making sure they know who to ask for help, such as a shop clerk or police officer.
Get involved in your community's safety programs.
General Tips for Stress-Free Travel
General Tips for Stress-Free Travel
Don't feel like you have to change 100% of your habits immediately. If you don't usually walk or cycle, then start with one day a week, or just mornings or just afternoons, then build your muscles. Slowly challenge yourself to do more, or choose transport mode according to where else you will need to go on a given day, or with respect to weather conditions.
Try a test trip to places like school or your doctor's office before your scheduled visit. This will let you know if you need to add more time for to cross at intersections, or if a short cut through a park will let you cut off a few minutes that would have been spent sitting in traffic with your regular drive.
Bring water and a snack for long trips.
Wear appropriate protection. A sun hat or cap, umbrella, rain coat, and appropriate shoes or warm clothes can make the difference between a fun journey and extreme discomfort. Check the weather in case a cold front or storm hit in the afternoon.
Use map or app if you are in a new place.
Take breaks! This is especially important if you have a smaller child, or one of you isn't used to the new mode of travel. Little kids may want to be picked up, or get tired of skates before they get to the end of your street. Starting with short trips, with plenty of breaks will help build their muscles, and keep the learning process fun.
Types of Active Transport
Types of Active Transport
Walking
Walking
Walking is among the most efficient ways to move with an efficiency of 4.55 km/MJ. It builds coordination, confidence, allows children time to see the world around them, learn the layout of their community, meet new people, see wildlife, and build their muscles. Walking is one of the best types of exercise, and it's cheaper than other modes of transportation because the only equipment most people need are a pair of shoes or boots and socks.
Make sure to bundle kids up warm or with water-proof protection for rainy days.
If you have an infant there are multiple options for bringing them along safely: A pram, a push chair, or something that holds the baby to your body such as a baby sling can be an amazing way to connect with your child and get all the benefits of walking for you plus any older children until the infant can walk on their own.
Striders
Striders
These are bikes without pedals. In some countries they are common for teaching toddlers how to balance without the complication or frustration of learning to use pedals.
Striders: Toddlers on Bikes with No Pedals Inventing Tricks
1:07 minute video.
The Denver Post - These young athletes are preparing for the “Toddler Tour de France” a world champion strider bike race.
Trikes
Trikes
Trikes are often seen as training-devices to help kids learn to ride bikes, but they can be appropriate alternatives for kids or adults with physical disabilities, inner-ear problems or neurological issues such as seizures. They can safely transport groceries, backpacks, pets, or even children on the rear basket or foot bar.
Velomobile
Velomobile
An enclosed velomobile has an efficiency of about 12.35 km/MJ. They can be entirely person-powered, or battery assisted. They may be better for some people's backs than a traditional bike or cargo bike, while providing a sturdy foundation for carrying children, shopping, pets, and more. These are similar to recumbent bikes, but come with storage space and often an outer casing to protect riders from wind or rain.
Bakfiets
Bakfiets
A bicycle or tricycle with a long wheelbase between the front wheel and handlebars holding a large box, originally used solely to transport goods but now also commonly for carrying young children.
10:44 minute video gives a personal account of transporting kids with a car vs a bakfiets, including the benefit of improved stimulation provided by riding in the open, vs being stuck looking at a car's boring head rest.
Bikes
Bikes
Bikes come in all sizes, and an adult bike can be fitted with specialized baby seats that attach to the front or back of the bike. As kids get bigger, you can switch them to a baby trailer or a trailer bike. A trailer bike is similar to a normal bike, but instead of a front wheel and handlebars, it has a rigid section that attaches to the seat post of a bigger bike. These are a fun, safe way for kids to get used to pedaling without learning to balance.
Tips
Tips
How to Get Your Child to Wear a Bike Helmet "Riding a bicycle is an excellent way for kids to spend time outdoors getting exercise. It's also an Earth friendly way to get around. Falls from bicycles cause serious head and facial injuries, though, so make sure your child wears a helmet for every ride.
Here are tips on how to help your child get into the habit."
Babies & Toddlers on Bikes
Babies & Toddlers on Bikes
This review page for front-installed seats shows photos without children in them, allowing you to get a better look at their design, as well as how some of them attach to the bike.
Bike Trailers
Bike Trailers
Pro: These are a great way to bring young kids along on a ride, even if they are too heavy for a seat attached to the bike itself. Kids get a great view of their neighborhood, and the seat is low enough that (once old enough) they can climb in themselves. The cover can protect children, pets, shopping, tools, or other cargo from rain and other unpleasant elements. The cover can also reduce road pollution reaching the child.
Con: Children closer to the road can end up breathing more pollutants than parents or kids higher on the bike (scientists were surprised to learn that kids in cars are also exposed to road pollution while waiting in traffic).
Pedicabs, Bicycle Sidecars, & Wheelchair Tandem Bikes
Pedicabs, Bicycle Sidecars, & Wheelchair Tandem Bikes
These are great options for a competent cyclist to transport children, elderly people, people with limited mobility, or those who otherwise might not be able to enjoy cycling.
Bike Sidecars
Bicycle Sidecar
5:35 minute video shows the construction process for a bicycle side car, including cutting , welding, spray painting, adding a padded seat and safety buckle.
DUET Wheelchair Bicycle Tandem
5:38 minute video starts with the user being harnessed in, then shows how easily care givers can use this type of devise while also being able to reach forward and give care.
Roller Skates
Roller Skates
Roller and inline skates require better balance than just walking, but the wheels make this a faster mode of transport once past the learning stage. In addition to a helmet, anyone using this mode of transportation should also use knee and elbow pads to prevent joint injuries.
Skateboarding
Skateboarding
Traditional skateboards relied on Canadian Maple and other types of wood, contributing to deforestation, however companies are now switching to alternatives including bamboo and trash to build eco-friendly boards that'll help keep our planet cool when you choose skateboarding over car rides.
Shweeb
Shweeb
The original shweeb was human powered, but the newest model has electric assist for riders.
Shweeb
Resources
Resources
Community
Community
NACTO: Urban Stree Design Guide "A blueprint for designing 21st century streets, the Guide unveils the toolbox and the tactics cities use to make streets safer, more livable, and more economically vibrant. The Guide outlines both a clear vision for complete streets and a basic road map for how to bring them to fruition."
School Zones
School Zones
Safe Kids: Take Action Toolkit: How to Fix Unsafe School an Zone in Your Community "Find strategies, advocacy tips, model documents, and resources provided by our Public Policy team to help you work in your communityto make safety changes to your school zone. Changes covered in ouraction plans can improve safety for pedestrians, bike riders and all of us near schools.You can learn more about child safety risks in our report, "Alarming Dangers in School Zones," which led to the development of our Take Action Toolkit."
Family & Friends
Family & Friends
How to Get Your Child to Wear a Bike Helmet "Riding a bicycle is an excellent way for kids to spend time outdoors getting exercise. It's also an Earth friendly way to get around. Falls from bicycles cause serious head and facial injuries, though, so make sure your child wears a helmet for every ride.
Here are tips on how to help your child get into the habit."
Organizations
Organizations
For bike-specific organizations, click the Bike Advocacy Groups button to learn which organizations are working in your area, or explore the International section for resource on how to start your own group.
International
International
Safe Kids Worldwide® "is a nonprofit organization working to help families and communities keep kids safe from injuries. Most people are surprised to learn preventable injuries are the #1 killer of kids in the United States. Throughout the world, almost one million children die of an injury each year, and almost every one of these tragedies is preventable.
Safe Kids works with an extensive network of more than 400 coalitions in the United States and with partners in more than 30 countries to reduce traffic injuries, drownings, falls, burns, poisonings and more."TUMI "supports transport projects all around the world and enables policy makers to transform urban mobility. TUMI is based on three pilars: innovation, knowledge, investment. We support innovative pilot projects around the whole world. We share knowledge with planners about modern mobility concepts, in workshops and conferences. We invest in construction and modernisation of sustainable urban infrastructure."
Asia
Asia
The Asia Society Policy Institute "works with policymakers, scientists, economists, business leaders, and experts from other fields to enhance the regional and global fight against climate change through accelerating the transition to net zero emissions, carbon pricing, clean energy and climate diplomacy."
Livable Cities "... has three operational approaches or pillars: Improve coverage, quality efficiency, and reliability of services in urban areas; strengthen urban planning and financial sustainability of cities; and improve urban environment, climate resilience and disaster management of cities.
With 65% of people in Asia and the Pacific set to live in cities by 2050, we have gathered stories and lessons that will ensure cities in Asia and the Pacific are inclusive, competitive, environmentally sustainable, and resilient."
North America
North America
Congress for the New Urbanism The organizational center for the New Urbanist movement, promoting walkable, mixed-use neighborhood development, sustainable communities and healthier living conditions.
National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) "NACTO’s mission is to build cities as places for people, with safe, sustainable, accessible, and equitable transportation choices that support a strong economy and vibrant quality of life."
Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC) is a national clearinghouse for information about health and safety, engineering, advocacy, education, enforcement, access, and mobility for pedestrians (including transit users) and bicyclists. PBIC's mission is to improve the quality of life in communities through the increase of safe walking and bicycling as a viable means of transportation and physical activity. To accomplish that mission, the PBIC manages several websites, produces a variety of reports, guides and case studies, and offers training and technical assistance.
Walk Friendly Communities is a national recognition program developed to encourage towns and cities across the U.S. to establish or recommit to a high priority for supporting safer walking environments. Communities are recognized for working to improve a wide range of conditions related to walking, including safety, mobility, access and comfort.
Canada
Canada
Congress for the New Urbanism The organizational center for the New Urbanist movement, promoting walkable, mixed-use neighborhood development, sustainable communities and healthier living conditions.
USA
USA
The Cohousing Association of the United States An active organization that promotes cohousing in America through conferences, workshops, tours, database directory, networking and more.
Congress for the New Urbanism The organizational center for the New Urbanist movement, promoting walkable, mixed-use neighborhood development, sustainable communities and healthier living conditions.
The East Coast Greenway "connects 15 states and 450 cities and towns for 3,000 miles from Maine to Florida. We are fostering a safe walking and biking route through the country’s most populated corridor."
National Complete Streets Coalition News of complete streets activities from around the country and proposed federal legislation plus resources including fact sheets and a PowerPoint presentation.
Walk Friendly Communities is a national recognition program developed to encourage towns and cities across the U.S. to establish or recommit to a high priority for supporting safer walking environments. Communities are recognized for working to improve a wide range of conditions related to walking, including safety, mobility, access and comfort.
New York
Transportation Alternatives "For 50 years, Transportation Alternatives has led the movement for safe, equitable streets in New York City. TA uses a combination of neighborhood-level grassroots organizing and citywide advocacy to push for changes in public policy, street design, enforcement, and resource allocation that transform our city’s streets for the better."
The Transportation Renaissance in NYC is being Led by THIS Group
23:24 minute video "Discover the transformative infrastructure changes that TA has advocated for over the years- like the iconic Prospect Park West protected bike lane, the game-changing Queens Boulevard redesign, and the ever-expanding network of Citi Bike stations."
Maps
Maps
North America
North America
USA
USA
Walk Friendly Community Map "A Walk Friendly Community is a city or town that has shown a commitment to improving and sustaining walkability and pedestrian safety through comprehensive programs, plans, and policies. Communities apply to the program to receive recognition in the form of a Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum designation. [With this map] you can sort and view profiles for communities that have been designated since the program began in 2011."
Washington
Explore the Walkability of DC Neighborhoods (Interactive) "Select a neighborhood to learn more about who lives in that community"
Grants & Funding
Grants & Funding
North America
North America
USA
USA
The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) Program "provides $5 billion in grants to states, local governments, tribes, and territories to develop and implement ambitious plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution. Authorized under Section 60114 of the Inflation Reduction Act, this two-phase program provides $250 million for noncompetitive planning grants, and approximately $4.6 billion for competitive implementation grants."
Oceana
Oceana
Australia
Australia
Western Australia
The Sustainability Grants Program (in the City of Cockburn) "offers funding for projects related to six sustainability themes. Open to small businesses, schools, not-for-profits, and collective households, successful applicants can receive up to $4,000 for their project."
Further Reading
Further Reading
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