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 equitable, healthy, active and sustainable travel options to thrive. 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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Promote equity amongst vulnerable Canadians
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Improve access to resources and amenities
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Increase connectivity to transit
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.
- Canadian Bikeway Comfort and Safety Classification System
- Statistics Canada: Canadian's commutes – still car-heavy, but some lighter footprints
- PHAC Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and Sleep (PASS) Indicators
- Active Transportation - How are children getting to school?
- Canadian Pedestrian Network Database
- Canadian Cycling Network Database
- Measuring Bicycling Infrastructure Across Canada
- Can-PARK: Recommendations for High Comfort and Quality Public Bicycle Parking Facilities
- Cycling in Diverse Environments: A Supplement to The Canadian Bikeway Comfort and Safety Classification System Report
- Designing Comfortable and Safe Cycling Infrastructure A Visual Guide to Applying the Canadian Bikeway Comfort and Safety Classification System
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