Active Transportation Saint JohnActive Transportation Saint John

Two Wheels to Wellness

Photo by Richard Masoner

Are you up to the ATSJ 30% Are you up to the ATSJ 30% Challenge?Challenge?

- Only 18.75% of the commuters who bicycle to the workplace in Saint John are women.

- The Canadian average is 30% so we're falling behind the pack. (Stats Can 2006)

We think it's doable so ATSJ is working to make Saint John a more cycling friendly city.

Photo by MoFedBike

3 Good reasons to choose bicycle 3 Good reasons to choose bicycle commuting...commuting...

- More women (67%) than men (58%) are inactive (Public Health Canada)

- Some energy industry analysts say gas may hit $1.40 per litre this summer (CBC)

- Pollution from cars changes the Earth’s climate and harms the air we breathe (David Suzuki Foundation)

Photo by Nep

Guess how far the average Saint John Guess how far the average Saint John commuter travels?commuter travels?

- it's 6.9 KM

- lower than the national average of 7.8 KM (Stats Can 2006)

- a perfect distance for a commuter who wants about 30 minutes on her bike at a moderate speed.

- beyond that, consider Saint John Transit or the new Comex Rapid Bus (has bike racks) servicing Grand Bay Westfield , KV and Hampton.

PHOTO BY M.V. jANTZEN

Photo by Timmy Corkery

Saint John is not as wet as Halifax and St. Saint John is not as wet as Halifax and St. Johns but yes, we're still in the top 10...Johns but yes, we're still in the top 10...

But what are the chances of getting wet on your way to work? Not that bad.

Over the past 10 years the driest months on average have been during the traditional cycling season – May to October (Environment Canada)

So the very worst scenario is 55% dry days and 45% wet days year round but when it rains it eventually stops! Invest in water resistant / proof or quick dry gear to stay comfortable.

Photo by ornoth

Saint John is a real geological gem but that Saint John is a real geological gem but that means hills to cyclists...means hills to cyclists...

But there's a downside to every hill and they're not all like King Street or Foster Thurston Drive. ATSJ considers hills when suggesting the safest and most efficient routes but some hills are just there.

As a famous cyclist once said about hills - “it never gets easier, you just get faster”

Photo by Richard Masoner

In 2007, the City of Saint John installed 9.5 KM of on street bike lanes. In 2007, the City of Saint John installed 9.5 KM of on street bike lanes. Toronto only has 30 Km! Are they near you?Toronto only has 30 Km! Are they near you?

- Loch Lomond Road (wide curb lane)

- Douglas Avenue

- Bentley St.

- Manawagonish Road

- Church Ave

- Dever RoadPhoto by Dean P

Photo by bikeportland.org

The volunteer members of Active Transportation Saint John work The volunteer members of Active Transportation Saint John work to make Saint John hold true to the Vision 2015 statement : to make Saint John hold true to the Vision 2015 statement :

“Our City has magnificent waterfronts with public access and bicycle and pedestrian trails thatconnect the entire city. Life without a car is perfectly possible and enjoyable”

`

Photo by Sugar Pond

Ride your bike to wellness this year......

www.commuterchallenge.ca

June 2 – 8, 2008