Active Transportation Online Hub
On this page
- What is active transportation?
- Why is active transportation important?
- Funding opportunities
- Policy and legislation
- Research, data, and tools
Welcome to the Government of Canada's Active Transportation Online Hub, a one-stop-shop for everything active transportation! Here you will find resources and guidelines, data and research, active transportation success stories being advanced across Canada, and information on the Government of Canada's active transportation investments.
The Government of Canada is committed to making data-driven and evidence-based investments to build new and expanded active transportation networks and to create safe environments for more affordable, healthy and sustainable travel options. You can read more about this commitment through Canada's National Active Transportation Strategy, the country's first coast-to-coast-to-coast strategic approach for promoting active transportation and its benefits.
What is active transportation?
Active transportation refers to the movement of people or goods powered by human activity. It includes walking, cycling and the use of human-powered or hybrid mobility aids, such as wheelchairs, scooters, e-bikes, rollerblades, snowshoes, cross-country skis, and more.
The movement of people or goods, powered by human activity
Cycling facilities
- Bike lanes
- Bike storage facilities
- Bike repair stations
Pedestrian facilities
- Sidewalks
- Pedestrian bridges
- Crosswalks
- Speed bumps
Multi-use facilities
- Multi-use paths
- Rail-to-trail conversions
- Wayfinding signage
Active transportation planning and education
- Public consultation
- Transportation master plan
- Public education
Supporting all ages and abilities
- Rest areas
- Lighting
- Curb cuts
- Intersection adaptation
Why is active transportation important?
In addition to getting us from point A to point B, active transportation improves our health and well-being. It helps to reduce healthcare costs, noise pollution, and improve air quality. It is vital to our economy and tourism sectors and plays an essential role in transportation systems that support more equitable, vibrant, liveable communities.
Benefits
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Promote physical & mental health
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Reduce noise & air pollution
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Reduce traffic congestion
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Improve safety for all road users
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Increase affordable transportation options for Canadians
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Improve access and connectivity to local services and amenities, public transit, jobs, and businesses
Funding opportunities
Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada as well as other federal departments are committed to investing in projects that encourage safe and effective active transportation projects across the country. Learn more about federal active transportation funding opportunities and successfully funded projects below.
- Links to funding opportunities
- Showcasing successful active transportation projects
Policy and legislation
Building safe and effective active transportation facilities is essential in encouraging Canadians to choose active transportation as their mode of travel. The following policy and legislative documents can inform and help communities reach their active transportation goals.
Research, data, and tools
Research and best practices can help improve active transportation infrastructure and help communities create and design successful active transportation projects. Data on active transportation can assist with making informed, evidence-based decisions and measuring progress over time.
Cycling Resources
- Canadian Bikeway Comfort and Safety Classification System | Public Health Agency of Canada
- Canadian Cycling Network Database | Statistics Canada
- Measuring Bicycling Infrastructure Across Canada | Public Health Agency of Canada
- Can-PARK: Recommendations for High Comfort and Quality Public Bicycle Parking Facilities | Simon Fraser University
- Cycling in Diverse Environments: A Supplement to The Canadian Bikeway Comfort and Safety Classification System Report | Simon Fraser University
- Designing Comfortable and Safe Cycling Infrastructure A Visual Guide to Applying the Canadian Bikeway Comfort and Safety Classification System | Simon Fraser University
- BikeMaps | BikeMaps
Walking Resources
- Canadian Pedestrian Network Database | Statistics Canada
- Safety measures for cyclists and pedestrians around heavy vehicles summary report | Transport Canada
- WalkRollMap | WalkRollMap.org
Assisted Active Transportation Mode Resources
- Micromobility in Canada | Traffic Injury Research Foundation
- Shared Micromobility Services in Canadian Communities (2025) | Transportation Association of Canada
General Resources
- Canadian's commutes – still car-heavy, but some lighter footprints | Statistics Canada
- Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and Sleep (PASS) Indicators | Public Health Agency of Canada
- Active Transportation - How are children getting to school? | Public Health Agency of Canada
- The contribution of active transportation to population physical activity levels, HPCDP Journal | Public Health Agency of Canada
- School Active Transportation in Canadian Children and Youth | Public Health Agency of Canada
- The Daily — Release of the 2024 Spatial Access Measures | Statistics Canada
- Emerging Practice Briefing: Continuous Sidewalks and Bike Paths (2023) | Transportation Association of Canada
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