Belleville and Quinte West/May 21, 2015 – Take the Commuter Challenge and see how easy and satisfying it can be to walk, bike, roller blade, bus, or carpool to work! Belleville and Quinte West workplaces and residents are invited to join the Challenge by leaving their car at home for one day or for the entire week from May 31st to June 6th, 2015.
In a given year, every Canadian makes an average of 2,000 car trips that are less than 3 km in distance. These trips can be easily replaced by active, sustainable and active ways of commuting. Choosing active modes of transportation such as walking or biking is a practical way to fit physical activity into a busy workday, and can also have many benefits for employers. “Active employees are healthier and happier,” says Tanya Hill, Health Promoter with Hastings Prince Edward Public Health. “When people are active every day they are more productive and sick less often”. Sustainable commuting is also good for the environment. “Carpooling, walking or cycling for transport reduces greenhouse gas emissions and improves air quality. We know that poor air quality also has a significant impact health”, adds Ms. Hill. By taking the Commuter Challenge, workplaces and residents are doing their part to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and smog.
Biking or walking to work can be fun and affordable. According to the Share the Road Cycling Coalition, it costs an average of $7,000 per year to own and operate a motor vehicle and only $150 annually for a bicycle.
The Quinte Commuter Challenge an important step toward a making Belleville and Quinte West great cities to live in by encouraging healthier and more sustainable ways of getting to work. “We already have 6 workplaces signed up for the Challenge, but we’re hoping for more. Our goal is to surpass the number of workplaces that have participated in the past years.” adds Ms. Hill “let’s all take the Challenge together”.
The Healthy Communities Partnership and Belleville On Bikes will be hosting a free breakfast during Commuter Challenge week on June 4th, Bike to Work Day, at the Belleville Farmers’ Market. This is part of Belleville Bike Month which includes several events that celebrate biking as a viable and safe form of transportation and leisure time physical activity. For more information visit: www.BellevilleBikeMonth.ca.
For more information visit www.commuterchallenge.ca or call Hastings Prince Edward Public Health at 613-966-5500.