Page 3384 - Week 11 - Tuesday, 21 October 2014
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healthy weight action plan. The implementation of cycling and walking projects is the foundation of the ACT government’s objective of increasing the number of people engaged in active travel.
Active travel is the most basic form of travel, relying on human power. Although primarily walking and cycling, it can also include using a wheelchair or other personal mobility device, pushing a pram or wheeling luggage, or riding a bicycle, e-bike, pedelec, scooter, skateboard, tricycle or even rollerblades. Active travel is increasingly recognised as a key feature of the world’s best cities. Exercise from a walk to the shops or to catch a bus, the social benefits from meeting people on the streets and the economic benefits from active travel have been demonstrated in other Australian cities.
The ACT government aims to deliver cycling and walking infrastructure that is safe, well lit and signposted, offering direct and convenient routes for destinations and being integrated with public transport.
Active travel is important. It is important because the more people we have walking, cycling and taking public transport, the more we can significantly reduce the demand for expensive road infrastructure and help manage traffic congestion. Walking, cycling and other forms of active transport are an easy way to increase daily physical activity and social exchange. Active travel is a healthy and rewarding form of outdoor recreation. It aids in the prevention of lifestyle-related conditions such as depression, obesity, diabetes and heart disease. It improves general fitness and health and extends our life expectancy and our expectation of a long, active and enjoyable life.
Walking, cycling and other active modes are low cost, are environmentally friendly and have minimal demand on natural or economic resources. These activities consume no fossil fuels, take up a minimum of space and impose little impact on other users. The more we take trips by walking and cycling, the more we reduce our environmental footprint.
How does active travel fit in the ACT strategic policy setting? In 2012 the ACT government released transport for Canberra 2012-31, which is the foundation for transport planning in the ACT over the next 20 years. The active travel targets set in transport for Canberra aim, by 2026, to increase the mode share of work trips by cycling and walking to seven per cent each. This is up from 4.7 per cent walking and 2.7 per cent cycling in 2011. An interim target for 2016 has been set at six per cent for cycling and 6.5 per cent for walking.
The ACT government is a signatory to Walk21, the International Charter for Walking, which commits to reducing the physical, social and institutional barriers that limit walking activity as well as working with others to help create a culture where people choose to walk.
Active travel also supports ACT government health, recreation and active living goals, including the active 2020 goal to increase participation in active recreation activities at all levels and the healthy weight action plan towards zero growth in the increase of overweight and obesity in the ACT.
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