Physical Activity, Sport and Recreation

Active Transportation

Simply put, the term 'active transportation' refers to any human powered or non-motorized travel. However, active transportation is more than just a way to get around. For many, it's a chance to enjoy recreational or leisure opportunities in the great outdoors. For others, it's a way to help the environment through reduced emissions and lower noise pollution levels.

The Department of Health and Wellness has prepared a framework paper to showcase our province's success stories in the arena of active transportation. We invite you to help find ways we can join together and meet the growing needs of our communities. Click here for more information: Pathways for People: Active Transportation Framework

Pathwaysforpeople.ca is designed to share knowledge and information on active transportation. The website is a way to increase awareness among a variety of groups including: recreation professionals, community planner, health promotion practitioners, active transportation champions, volunteers, elected officials, students, academics, school officials, and government representatives.

Through a better understanding of active transportation, Pathwaysforpeople.ca aims to provide Nova Scotians with an accessible system for sharing ideas, research, and policy information. The website has links to strategies and resources, discussions about safety issues, an education section, as well as a listing of latest news and photos. Pathwaysforpeople.ca is an initiative of Recreation Nova Scotia and the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness.

Active and Safe Routes to School
Active and Safe Routes to School encourages adults to support children and youth to participate in active transportation. The program offers consultation, policy recommendations, events, support and promotional resources. It is the umbrella for both the Pace Car Program concerning anti-speeding and Making Tracks, a workshop for children and youth about safety skills for walking, cycling, in-line skating and skateboarding.

Trails >>

Walkabout
Walkabout is a dynamic initiative intended to address the high prevalence of physical inactivity by creating a culture of walking in Nova Scotia. For leaders in communities, workplaces and schools the initiative offers training for policy development and leader orientation and tools. Future components will address built environments to increase walking. For the public, Walkabout offers walking groups, access to pedometers at libraries and CAP sites and a website with social networking and other interactive features. Social marketing is delivered through television, radio, print and internet.