Pedal for the health of it

Photo: monkeybusinessimages

As the annual Bike-to-Work-and-School week approaches – May 30 to June 3 – a planning group in Salmon Arm is inviting residents throughout the Shuswap to use the month of May to highlight the benefits of walking and cycling.

According to the Shuswap Trail Alliance, a growing body of research is demonstrating people are more likely to be physically active in neighbourhoods and towns that adopt active design standards that encourage walking and cycling as a primary transportation option.

And those communities also seem to be realizing economic benefits in the form of increased property values, more resilient business districts, reduced health care spending and lower infrastructure costs.

Several notable planning efforts in the Shuswap are setting a path toward healthier transportation options. These include the Enderby-Splatsin Active Transportation Plan, Sicamous’ Age and Dementia Friendly Community Planning, Salmon Arm’s Greenway Strategy and Bicycle Connector Planning, the CSRD’s Area Parks Plans, Chase’s discussion to develop a Walking Master Plan and the Shuswap Regional Trails Strategy.

“Participating in these planning initiatives is critical to ensure walking and cycling is a priority,” said Phil McIntyre-Paul with the Shuswap Trail Alliance, pointing to the resources on active transportation on Interior Health’s website under Planning for Healthier Communities. For a feedback tool on bicycle connector planning see the Shuswap Trail Alliance website.

“Bike Month events and group rides encourage local residents to get their bicycles out and use some pedal time to think about how Shuswap communities might retrofit their community to make walking and cycling easier,” said McIntyre-Paul.

On May 14, a street festival of everything cyclical will be held at the annual Salty Street Fest on Hudson Street, Salmon Arm.