How does expanding our transportation options for getting around relate to health and wellness?

    When residents have more options for getting around St. John’s, they are more likely to experience better health outcomes and feel connected to their community/neighborhood. Expanding our transportation networks to prioritize active forms of travel for all residents is shown to improve physical and mental well-being and create greater opportunities for social connectedness (1).

    Getting around the city by active forms of transportation, whether it be by streets networks or trails and paths, should be easy and safe. This means we must create well-lit, visually appealing ways to get around within our neighbourhoods, and connect common destinations with places to sit and rest along the way (1). Building such people-oriented transportation networks is associated with increases in physical activity and social interactions in the places where we live (1). 

    Having an expanded, and accessible, transportation network also allows residents of all abilities to be less reliant on cars. When we move away from cars, it’s not only residents who will experience positive outcomes – the environment will benefit as well, due to reductions in greenhouse gasses and improvements in air quality (1). 


     

    1. British Columbia Centre for Disease Control. (2018). Healthy Built Environment Linkages Toolkit: Making the Links Between Design, Planning and Health, Version 2.0 [Internet]. Vancouver, BC: Provincial Health Services Authority. Available from: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-professionals/professional-resources/healthy-built-environment-linkages-toolkit



    What is a healthy transportation network?


    A healthy transportation network is comprised of safe, affordable, and accessible ways of getting around for people with all levels of mobility. It prioritizes active transportation options like walking, wheeling, and cycling and accessible public transit. When we decrease our reliance on cars, we can create streets that are easier to use, more accessible, and safe, for everyone. 

    When talking about how residents get around, it is important to talk about whether everyone in the city can easily get where they need to go, safely. Prioritizing modes of transportation that do not require driving improves equity in our city because active forms of transportation are more affordable than car ownership and it provides everyone is improved access to essential services like education, employment opportunities, and healthcare (1).



     

    1. British Columbia Centre for Disease Control. (2018). Healthy Built Environment Linkages Toolkit: Making the Links Between Design, Planning and Health, Version 2.0 [Internet]. Vancouver, BC: Provincial Health Services Authority. Available from: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-professionals/professional-resources/healthy-built-environment-linkages-toolkit