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WINNIPEG. A swarm of brightly decorated bicycles took to the road, northbound on McPhillips St., on sunny Saturday morning, August 29. About 95 individual cyclists with many more riders from 10 local organizations participated in the Bike-B-Q Funride 2009, organized by Winnipeg City Councillor, Mike Pagtakhan and his executive assistant Noel Lapuz.
“The Bike-B-Q is a celebration of the bicycle as a method of transportation, as a means to staying healthy and as a form of recreation mixed with a celebration of community and the sharing of a hearty meal,” said Pagtakhan.
Cyclists as young as six years old enjoyed the trek across the North End, which was escorted by members of the Winnipeg Police Service riding in cars, a motorcycle and, of course, several bicycles. Jose Lafiguera of the Pangasinan Group of Manitoba held the distinction of being the most senior of the cyclists at the age 74.
Members of the Association of Ilocano in Manitoba (AIM), Bicol Association of Manitoba, Couples for Christ, Davao Association of Manitoba, Ilocandia Association of Winnipeg (ILAW), Knights of Rizal, Mekeni Club of Winnipeg, North American Basketball Association (NABA), the Pangasinan Group of Manitoba (PGM) and Urban Youth Adventures rode along with other cyclists on a route from the Northgate Shopping Centre on McPhillips Street to Kildonan Park on Main Street.
Once at the park, participants and their supporters enjoyed a Filipino style barbecue and displayed their decorated bicycles before a panel of judges Alison Pagsuyuin, Linda Eng of Young’s Trading and Emmie Joaquin of the Pilipino Express.
“To make things fun we encouraged participants to utilize their creative talents and to decorate their bikes in one of the seven sacred teachings of the Aboriginals. The Aboriginals have an amazing and beautiful culture that I wanted more of our community to get acquainted with in a cross-cultural manner by decorating their bikes,” explained Councillor Pagtakhan.
The winner of the overall best bike was Gil Gatpayat. He won an iPod Touch for his decorated bike and costume, which were based on the theme of love.
The Winnipeg Pigeon Racing Association also participated in the event. Its members released 100 trained pigeons that would make their way back to their trainer’s William Avenue home.
Several local businesses and individuals sponsored and contributed to the event, including the Vickar Autogroup, Canad Inns, McDonalds Restaurants, Jimel’s Bakery, Councillor Mike O’Shaugnessy, Randy Viray, La Merage Restaurant, Rowena and Jun Oquendo of the PGM with media support from Bike to the Future, Resource Conservation, CKJS Radio 810 AM and the Pilipino Express.
Benita Kliewer and Robert Reimer of Natural Cycle were on hand to provide free mechanical support and repairs, which saved the event for at least two cyclists Paul Morrow of the Pilipino Express, whose bike suffered double valve failure, and Mario Rosario of AIM, whose rear tire blew out on Leila Avenue at the halfway mark of the journey.
“My expectations were greatly exceeded by the turnout,” Pagtakhan reported. “Seeing a sea of cyclists engulf two lanes northbound on McPhillips was simply awe inspiring! Along the way, motorists would wave and smile and provide a honk or two in support. I received tremendous feedback from many cyclists to do this event again next year. I like the sound of that,” said Pagtakhan.
(Above article and picture courtesy of Pilipino-Express)
Come and join us in the first annual Bike-B-Q Fun Ride, a bike parade followed by a barbeque party to be held on August 29, 2009. This project is in cooperation with our media partner - Pilipino Express.
The event is a celebration of fellowship, camaraderie, family get together, unity and friendship as expressed though biking. This is also in line with my commitment to promote biking as an effective alternative method of active transportation.
The Fun Ride is essentially a parade of decorated bikes. As such, we will be riding at a slow leisurely pace from the parking lot of Northgate Shopping Centre along McPhillips at 10:30 a.m. heading toward Kildonan Park for the barbeque party.
The theme for this year’s event is based on the Seven Sacred Aboriginal Teachings. Hence, there will be special awards for Respect Bike, Love Bike, Honesty Bike, Courage Bike, Humility Bike, Wisdom Bike and Truth Bike.
You, your family, friends and organizations can join the bike parade. Children are welcome to join provided that they should be accompanied by adults. All participants are encouraged to wear a bicycle helmet. The Parade RouteWe will assemble at the front parking area of Northgate Shopping Centre at Mc Phillips at 10:30 a.m. and will start to bike at 10:45 a.m. towards Kildonan Park. Please find attached map for your ready reference.
Decorate your bike. Use your creativity to make it attractive and unique. We will be giving special awards to bikers who decorated their bikes based on any of the seven sacred teachings as mentioned above. Â You can even decorate yourself, a hat, your shoes, or wear a costume or outfit that complements and enhances your bike. The winner in each category will receive an I-Pod Nano.
Use your creativity and imaginative techniques on how to decorate YOURSELF and YOUR BIKE based on the following Seven Sacred Teachings of the Aboriginals:
RESPECT BIKE
LOVE BIKE
HONESTY BIKE
COURAGE BIKE
HUMILITY BIKE
WISDOM BIKE
TRUTH BIKE
Here are some additional information on the Seven Sacred Teachings:
Treat all your relations as you wish to be treated - we are all related - the four legged, the two-legged, the winged ones, the ones that crawl, the plant nation, the rock nation, All My Relations. The buffalo was extremely important to the existence of the Aboriginal Family. Â They provided food, shelter, and clothing, and in return the Aboriginal peoples took upon themselves the responsibility of being guardians of the buffallo tribe.
Love has no condition or borders. Is to give, to receive and to share. The eagle represents the sacred teaching of love. This teaching is closely tied in with love for the Creator.
Show fairness in word and action; be genuine and virtuous. Let honesty be your guide and you will live in honour and happiness. The sabe, also known as Kitch-Sabe, is a creature known to  walk among the people, reminding them to live in honesty.
Be strong, "walk your talk". Live by your beliefs, work for the good of all and bring harm to none. These are courageous ways. The value of courage is represented by the bear, particularly    because of the strong and forceful way a mother bear will protect her cubs, should they be threatened.
Be humble and walk Mother Earth in unpretentious simplicity with benevolence and modesty. The wolf represents the value of humility. A wolf will not indulge in a kill until the pack can share in the meal as well.
Common sense is practical wisdom - it is found everywhere; in the words of the Elders and the wind in the trees. The beaver exhibits an impressive example of the building of a community through the wise use of gifts he has been given by the Creator.
Speak with sincerity, walk with integrity; you will be in truth. Finally, the seventh value is truth. This value is represented by the turtle. The truth is to know and understand all of the original laws as given by the Creator - and to remain faithful to them. To live the truth is to live the seven sacred teachings everyday, living from the heart.
Organizations are encouraged to wear their uniforms or similar colors to easily identify their group. You can even wear special accessories to make the parade on a perfect festive mood!
Seniors, children and people who are physically-challenged are invited to join our barbeque party and welcome our bikers as they enter our convening point at the Kildonan Park. Welcoming groups are enjoined to bring flags, banners of their organizations, balloons, etc. to make the event colorful! You can also bring foods and non-alcoholic beverages to share it in our barbeque party. Ethnic foods and special delicacies of your choice are gladly welcome.
Please fill-up the registration form and fax to us at 986-3725 as soon as possible. There will be special prizes for the first 25 people to register!
Should you need further information, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 986-8402.
See you there!
Related link from Pilipino Express
 
Coun. Mike along with other GK Walkers
 
Coun. Mike w/ Bro. Vic Lopez and MLA Kevin Lamoureux Coun. Mike w/ Larry Vickar
 
Mabuhay GK Walk!!!
The GK Walk is faith in action!
Answering the Cry of the Poor through Faith and Action
The GK Walk is an annual fundraising walk to fight poverty through the Gawad Kalinga program in the Philippines and other third world countries. Gawad Kalinga translated in English means “to give care”. GK's approach is comprehensive, integrated, and sustainable, encompassing the many aspects that need to be addressed to combat poverty.
The GK Walk is organized by ANCOP International (Canada), a Christian, registered non-profit charity supporting the work of Gawad Kalinga. The GK program is an alternative solution to the blatant poverty throughout the world. Rooted in Christian values our work started in the Philippines in the year 2000 and since then, thousands of homes and hundreds of families and children have been helped. Gawad Kalinga's approach is comprehensive, integrated, and sustainable.
SHELTER, HEALTH, EDUCATION, LIVELIHOOD, VALUESÂ FORMATION, COMMUNITYÂ EMPOWERMENT
Anyone can do great works of charity. The challenge is sustaining the work. We work with the help of anyone and everyone with big willing hearts. Our partners, Volunteer architects, engineers and carpenters, doctors, nurses, midwives, dentists, teachers, writers, people from all religious, social, and academic backgrounds, government and private sectors --- come together with one purpose: answer the cry of the poor.
Together with our partners, we are now in the process of transforming the lives of 700,000 families in 7,000 communities in 7 years. Also known as GK777, this program established in 2003 have completed more than 50,000 homes in 1,700 GK communities to date.
Everyone deserves a decent life with dignity and hope. ANCOP-GK with it's partners and volunteers work hard to help the poor. ANCOP-GK does this through:
SHELTER
Picture yourself living in shanties. Exposed to heat and cold all year long. Filth everywhere. Chaotic. Fights about anything taking place anytime. One unnecessary wrong after another. Everyday.
Our Shelter & Site Development Program uses volunteers to build colorful, durable and secure homes for the poorest of the poor. We transform whole communities with thousands of volunteers who build with the beneficiaries. For the poor it gives them great pride and joy because with their own hands they begin to regain their dignity, self esteem and self worth.
The shelter program not only provides housing but also other physical structures such as pathwalks and drainage systems, water and toilet facilities, a school, a livelihood center, a multi-purpose hall and a clinic. In some areas, other structures such as basketball courts and libraries are also constructed once basic infrastructure needs are set up.
Gawad Kalinga is non denominational and does not discriminate. A number of Muslim and mixed Muslim and Christian GK villages have already been completed and are thriving in the Philippines and becoming beacons of peace. GK workers are also present in Papua New Guinea helping poor tribesmen gain decent housing and renewed community spirit.
HEALTH
For most parts of the world, medical and dental needs are left unattended. Poor people do not have access to basic care or have a chance to consult a doctor.
The Community Health Care Program is a key component of our approach.
The health profile of every family we help is carefully monitored by a volunteer team of doctors and paramedical practitioners. Where possible, we establish a clinic in each community we work in. Malnutrition especially among children is addressed and minimized not just through feeding programs but also through parent education regarding proper nutrition and hygiene.
EDUCATION
Millions of third world children in primary ages would find joy in a used coloring book. Even public education which should be basically free is inaccessible to them.
We provide value based Education Program for pre-school children, aged 3 to 6 years old. We also provide support program for street children of elementary age, from 7 to 13 years old.
They are provided with academic tutorials, sports and creative workshops as well as a very solid values formation program. Scholarships are provided to those with the mental aptitude to pursue higher education.
There is also a strong youth rehabilitation program where juvenile delinquents are provided with a range of activities and counseling sessions to help them live productive lives without committing them to rehab institutions. They are then integrated into the social mainstream and are eventually gainfully employed.
LIVELIHOOD
With a life of deprivation and lack of education, the poor have very little to offer the work force.
Our Livelihood Program conducts livelihood and skills training, provides start up capital and materials for microfinance and micro-enterprise, and assists in the marketing of products.
Food self sufficiency is highly encouraged by teaching technology for backyard farming, urban agriculture and poultry raising. Even the building of homes and common facilities teaches new masonry and carpentry skills since the poor “pay” for their homes through “sweat equity” or by building their neighbor’s house side by side with other volunteers. This not only builds community spirit but also contributes to greater peace. After all, how can a homeowner fight the neighbor who helped build his house?
VALUES FORMATION
Based on Christian values, the GK Values Formation program is an integral part of the transformation of slums into vibrant GK communities. The Values Formation program is a required seminar which helps prepare beneficiaries and their families by changing their attitudes and outlook in life. By learning to value their family and community, the values formation program aims to change the old attitudes of slum dwellers and encourages them to reclaim their dignity and self-worth.
Slum surroundings breed slum attitudes. It is easy to change the physical surrounding immediately, but inner change and a new found respect and honor for oneself and community is the true essential in sustaining and further developing the GK community and its members.
GK beneficiaries are not left alone soon after the homes have been built. The effectiveness of the Values Formation program is further enhanced by the constant encouragement and guidance of the GK caretaker team, who continually oversee the village and the beneficiaries’ growth and development.
COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT
Our holistic model transforms the poor and their environment. After all, will a person change if the environment remains chaotic?
Our program organizes the community with a neighborhood association, established to inculcate stewardship and ensure accountability, cooperation and unity. Guidelines for community living are decided upon by the members, and new leaders who espouse the values of the association start to emerge.
Peace is achieved not by force, but by mutual adherence to an agreed set of values. This new culture is the key to the community’s sustainability, and sets the community on the road to self reliance.
The ANCOP-GAWAD KALINGA approach is comprehensive integrated and sustainable.
(above article courtesy of www.gkwalk.ca)
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WINNIPEG, MB – August 17, 2009 - "City Hall United" – a team of City of Winnipeg Councillors and staff - took to the soccer field at Shaughnessy Park to play a friendly match with the youth of Sinclair Park Community Centre. City Hall United team members included Councillor Mike Pagtakhan, Councillor Gord Steeves, Councillor Jeff Browaty, Superintendent Art Stannard of the Winnipeg Police Service, Director Clive Wightman of the City′s Community Services Department, Senior Committee Clerk Marc Pittet and Information Clerk Chayanika Abeysekera of the City Clerk’s Department, Executive Assistant to Mayor Katz, Denys Volkov, and Katie Young, a Recreation Technician in the Community Services Department.
Despite the rainy weather, inner-city youth have continued to flock to this summer soccer program. The event was held to celebrate another successful summer for the City′s SPIN Program (Sport Programs in Inner City Neighbourhoods) which Councillor Mike Pagtakhan strongly supports.
“Today we played against the youth at Sinclair Park Community Centre, and let me tell you they were tremendous athletes. They were quick, agile and handled the ball proficiently. Simply put they bested us adults! We continue to support the SPIN Program at the City as it provides inner city youth with the opportunity to get involved in a team sport, to stay healthy, meet new friends, and most of all have oodles of fun in the summer", Mike Pagtakhan said.
Pagtakhan is known to be a supporter of various sports events such as soccer, basketball, hockey, arm-wrestling and baseball. In fact he is the present of sponsor for the uniforms of North Winnipeg Triple A Peewee Baseball Team as they represent the province in a national competition this month. “I believe that our city is blessed with young people who have the potential to excel in various sports such as soccer, baseball, basketball, hockey , etc. and it is only fitting that we should continue to support them”, Pagtakhan added.
Moreover, Mayor Sam Kats expressed his delight by the continuing popularity of the SPIN program, and the opportunities it provides to the inner city youth. "Every child deserves a summer of fun and healthy activities– and we′re grateful to all the partner organizations and volunteers who make SPIN a success.", Mayor Katz said.
SPIN is an initiative of LiveSAFE, a City of Winnipeg crime prevention policy that works to address the root causes of crime, by partnering with community organizations to provide social, health, economic, educational, and recreational programming, with a particular emphasis on vulnerable children and youth.
SPIN provides inner-city kids aged 6-14 with free access to sports opportunities – offering them a fun and participatory way to learn basic skill development, sportsmanship, teamwork, leadership, and fair play, in a friendly, supportive, environment. Over 630 kids have registered for SPIN programs so far this year.
The SPIN program is led by the City′s Community Services Department, in partnership with the Winnipeg Police Service, Sport Manitoba, the General Council of Winnipeg Community Centres, the Winnipeg School Division, Kid Sport, the Winnipeg Community Sport Alliance, the Manitoba Soccer Association, the Winnipeg Youth Soccer Association, the Manitoba Volleyball Association, Volleyball Canada, the Manitoba Table Tennis Association, and over 25 host organizations.
This fall, SPIN will offer an 8-week tennis program, running from October 5, to November 28, 2009. For more information, contact SPIN recreation technician Corey Burgess at 204-250-5682, or e-mail SPIN@winnipeg.ca.
Councillor Pagtakhan further encourages youths to get involved in sports activities and enjoy the rest of the summer in such healthy activities.
 
see related story as published by Ang Peryodiko
see related story as published by The Times - Canstar
Councillor Mike Pagtakhan along with Mayor Sam Katz and Doug Martindale, MLA for Burrows led the groundbreaking ceremonies of an 18,000 square foot addition to the North Centennial Pool and Senior Centre at Sinclair Avenue on Tuesday, June 23, 2009.
The estimated $6.6 million dollar expansion will increase the size of the facility to 44,000 square feet. The new expanded facility will be known as the North Centennial Recreation and Leisure Centre
Once complete, the renovated Centre will contain multiple building additions, including a full-sized gymnasium, teaching kitchen, active-living space with exercise equipment, gathering spaces, a classroom, boardroom, and a multi-use studio.
Community Consultation:
There are approximately 15 groups who currently use the facility, including the North End Seniors Association, the Winnipeg Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Association, two daycares, and several sports leagues. Councillor Pagtakhan advocated for extensive community consultations to ensure that the expansion reflects the needs of the community. All in all, close to 30 community organizations provided input into the expansion plans for the facility.
Sustainable / Environmental / Accessible Design:
The new centre will be energy-efficient building. Two key environmental building features are the building’s Green Roof and Solar Wall. This will be the first City of Winnipeg-owned building to register for the Silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.
Enhancements to the exterior of the facility are also being made as part of this project, namely; additional parking, a landscaped entrance plaza and drop-off zone, and enhanced accessibility to the facility.
Creating a Foundation for Community Recreation:
“This great project is another manifestation of Mayor Katz’s commitment to provide affordable and accessible recreation and leisure programs for all citizens of Winnipeg,” says Pagtakhan.  “One of the key elements of nurturing a healthy, safe and vibrant community is to provide more recreational opportunities. This Centre will establish a substantial foundation for community recreation opportunities within the Inner City and North End. I would also like to thank and acknowledge my Council colleague from Charleswood, Councillor Bill Clement for standing by my side in advocating for dollars to make the North Centennial expansion a priority and reality! Bill has been a huge friend for this expansion, and his efforts should not go unnoticed!”
Pictures show Councillor Mike Pagtakhan as Master of Ceremonies of the groundbreaking rites with Mayor Sam Katz and Doug Martindale - MLA for Burrows.
 
see related story as published by Ang Peryodiko
see related story as published by The Times - Canstar
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Allow me to thank everyone who joined our Bike to Work Day held on June 19, 2009. Once again, we have proven that Active Transportation such as cycling is well-supported by many of our constituents. We hope to see you again in our next events!
For those organizations or individuals who would like to conduct a cycling event in our City, please do not hesitate to call our office for any support. We would be very happy to assist you!.
REGISTER NOW!!! Click the links below
REGISTER ME!!!
Join Mike's Bike Oasis - Map Link
Bike-to-Work Day is an annual event held on the third Friday of May across the United States and Canada that promotes the bicycle as an option for commuting to work. Leading up to Bike-to-Work Day, national, regional, and local bicycle advocacy groups encourage people to try bicycle commuting as a healthy and safe alternative to driving by providing route information and tips for new bicycle commuters. In our city, the Bike to Work Day is being celebrated during the month of June. Hence, on June 19, 2009, Friday, people from all walks of life will gather across the streets of the city to celebrate the Bike to Work Day!
Bike-to-Work Day was originated by the League of American Bicyclists in 1956 and is a part of Bike-to-Work Week, which is in turn part of National Bike Month.
Last year, over 11,000 cycled and over 2,400 registered to win great prizes. This year, we expect to have more participants coming from different organizations and companies. Â The aim is to set a new record.
I personally support this event because I am a biker by heart. This is one advocacy that I endorse which is in line with the city’s program for active transportation.
What is Active Transporation?
Winnipeg’s surge in active transportation programs is championed by Mayor Sam Katz and strongly supported by the City Council and energetic community groups. Since approving its 2005 Active Transportation Study, the City has fulfilled four key priorities that included hiring a dedicated coordinator and forming an advisory committee.
Active transportation is any form of human-powered transportation. It is any trip made for the purposes of getting yourself, or others, to a particular destination - to work, to school, to the store or to visit friends. As long as it is "active", you can choose the mode - walking, cycling, wheeling, in-line skating, skateboarding, ice skating (eg. on a canal). Walking and cycling are the most popular forms of active transportation. It can also involve combining modes such as walking/cycling with public transit.
Active Transportation is important for a number of reasons!
Several important issues today can be addressed if more Canadians choose to use their feet or bike more often, rather than using their car - our health and safety, the health of our environment, and the quality of life in our neighbourhoods.
With six in ten Canadians not physically active enough to achieve the full health benefits - sedentary living is a significant health issue today! Canadians live a car-centred lifestyle taking away a great opportunity to incorporate physical activity into their daily lives.
Research has shown that achieving the equivalent to walking for an hour throughout the day is health promoting. Even in 10 minute bouts, the time it takes to walk to the bus, you could be incorporating physical activity into your day. Moderate physical activities, such as walking and cycling, reduce the risk of premature death, heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure and many other diseases and disorders.
Transportation is one of the largest contributors of harmful emissions that are responsible for poor air quality and human health effects. Human activity, such as transportation, is having a dramatic impact on the environment. One key concern is climate change - the result of increasing levels of greenhouse gases which trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere. Transportation produces 25 percent of greenhouse gas emissions.
Canadians are becoming increasingly concerned about air pollution from cars and are more willing than ever to make a variety of changes to their car use in order to reduce the environmental impact of driving. These changes are, reducing driving and walking/biking more.
Transportation is a major part of our life, consuming many hours of our day. We make many different kinds of trips: to work, to school, to do errands/shopping, to visit friends and to transport our children to their recreational activities. Each Canadian makes an average of 2,000 car trips of less than 3 km each year, trips that could be replaced with an active choice of transportation for all or part of the trip.
The number of cars has increased steadily; people are driving more often and farther distances. Each car travels, on average, 16,000 km/year or about 300 km/week. Limiting the number of kilometres driven by choosing another mode of transportation is by far the best way to reduce air pollution.
The most energy efficient and least costly mode of transportation is muscle power!
For distances up to 5 km, cycling is recognized as the fastest of all modes from door to door.
Taking Action
Here are some ideas that may help you consider adopting more active modes of transportation:
- Think twice about using your car for every trip. Could you walk or use your bike to visit friends?
- Dust off your bicycle and cycle to work when the weather permits.
- Trade in your dress shoes for running shoes, strap on a backpack and walk all, or part of the way to work/school.
- Instead of driving your kids to the park, why not make it a family outing on your bikes.
- If you are considering moving, think about the transportation options available to you in the new locations you are considering. How far will the distance be to those places you regularly need to get to. Could you walk to do most of your small errands? How far away is the nearest school for your child? Is this new neighbourhood "pedestrian friendly"?
But keep in mind, it's not just up to an individual to adopt active transportation, our communities, workplaces and schools must also support active transportation.
Communities that endorse active transportation :
- have dedicated bicycle lanes and routes;
- advocate for sharing the road with cyclists;
- undertake specific measures to ensure the safe integration of pedestrians, cyclists and other active users among motorized vehicle traffic;
- regularly maintain and upgrade pedestrian and cycling facilities;
- provide storage for bicycles throughout the city;
- have an integrated network of pedestrian and cycling paths that are designed for efficient transportation as well as recreation;
- favour urban design that reduces the distances that people have to travel to get to work, retail areas, schools and recreational/leisure pursuits;
- encourage the retail and service sectors to support customers who use active modes of transportation;
- plan streetscapes to be visually pleasing and inviting to pedestrians;
- have a network of greenspaces throughout the urban and suburban areas;
- make access to public transit easily integrated with pedestrian and cycling facilities to encourage intermodal travel;
- encourage driver education about how to share the road with multi-users;
- encourage feedback from citizens, pedestrian and cycling advocacy groups.
Workplaces that endorse active transportation:
- support and encourage their employees to adopt active transportation;
- provide secure bicycle storage, lockers and shower facilities for employees;
- allow more flexible dress codes;
- organize workplace challenges, employee recognition programs or support community events to increase awareness;
- work with municipal planners to map out safe and efficient routes to work and to address infrastructure or safety problems;
- emphasize reduced motorized transportation while at work and encourage more active modes;
- provide or subsidize safe cycling or in-line skating clinics for their employees.
Schools that endorse active transportation:
- support and encourage their students to adopt an active way to get to school;
- work with the municipality to identify safe routes for children while addressing safety and infrastructure barriers;
- encourage parents to form "escorted walks" to and from school for young neighbourhood children;
- have teachers work with children to identify the safest routes to get to school while teaching children about traffic and pedestrian safety;
- offer cycling and in-line skating skill and safety courses;
- work with parents, motorists and the community at large, to make the trip to school a safe trip for children and youth.
Active Transportation represents a significant opportunity for the City of Winnipeg to simultaneously improve the health of its residents, increase quality of life, and achieve other environmental and socio-economic benefits.
In North America, the main interest in active modes of transportation has been restricted to recreation and leisure. However, there has been a rising interest in using Active Transportation to commute to work, school or shopping. Additionally, modes that have been previously considered exclusively recreational, such as skateboarding and in-line skating, are growing in popularity as a form of transportation.
There are many community benefits to increasing the access to and use of sustainable transportation options since, by definition, sustainable transportation provides a system that is efficient, competitive, safe, accessible, and respects the natural environment. The economic implications for both the City and residents include reduced cost of road repairs, related infrastructure, maintenance, and parking. Social implications relate to the reduction in health costs from smog, inactivity/obesity and stress, while other societal benefits include reduced congestion, fewer vehicular crashes, and an overall improvement in the quality of life (both for the individual and the community). The environmental impacts of improved availability of Active Transportation options include: reductions in air, water and noise pollution, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and less inefficient land use due to urban sprawl. Finally, the benefit of more people on the street increases social interaction, helping to improve safety and contribute to a greater sense of
community.
Going back to Bike to Work Day, I enjoin all our readers, organizations and companies to join the Bike to Work Day on June 19, 2009.
Interested parties can contact my office directly at 986-8402 and look for Noel Lapuz who will help you on how to register with Bike to Work Day and can provide you with other details of the activity.
Bike to Work Day promotes a healthy commuting alternative that benefits the rider and the community by reducing pollution and traffic congestion. Thanks for cycling! |
