A community that engages in walking, biking, busing and carpooling is a community that is vibrant and healthy. Whether walking part way to work or carpooling to hockey practice, active and efficient forms of transportation benefit Peterborough area residents, the development of our community and the environment we live in.

PeterboroughMoves.com has been designed to provide practical information for citizens to take up or expand their participation in active forms of transportation and ridesharing. By answering questions and providing tools to make these activities easier, peterboroughmoves.com aspires to assist in the development of a healthier and more enjoyable Peterborough City and County.

In this fast-paced, car-dependent culture of ours, it is easy to forget the benefits of walking, biking, busing and carpooling.

Personal Benefits of Active and Efficient Transportation:

• Increased quality time with friends, family, neighbours and co-workers.
• Improved self-esteem, well-being as well as increased social interaction due to active forms of transportation.Improved financial health; less personal money going towards maintaining a vehicle.

Increased physical activity that will aid in preventing and managing heart disease, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, osteoporosis and depression.

• Increased body strength that will protect against injury and disability due to walking and biking.
• Improved “good cholesterol” and decreased “bad cholesterol” from an increase in physical activity.
• Cleaner air which will benefit the lung health of all, especially children and those with asthma and other respiratory problems.
• Strengthened immune system and better management of diabetes due to activity.
• Two-in-one benefit of active transportation! Getting exercise and getting to where you need to go!
• Cost-effectiveness of walking and biking over engagement in a formal exercise program that requires special equipment or a gym membership!
• Reduced incidence of stroke, colon cancer and heart attack due to decreased stress and increased activity.
• Better health and quality of life for children due to increased physical activity, reduced stress and cleaner air.
• Reduced traffic stress due to sharing commuting responsibilities with fellow carpoolers or a bus driver.

Community Benefits of Substituting Active and Efficient Transportation for Single-Occupant Car Trips:

•     * Increased community safety and reduced road rage due to less traffic.
• Safer neighbourhoods and more aware neighbours due to the increased interaction of residents - “eyes on the community”.
• Increased appeal of an active and accessible community to potential tourists and future residents.
• Increased enjoyment of an active and accessible community to current residents!
• Decreased need to divert tax dollars to expensive road improvement and new routes as fewer cars use them.
• Increased access to the community for non-drivers (including students, lower income residents, seniors, children and disabled citizens) due to encouraged development for infrastructure and support necessary for active and efficient modes of transportation.
• Less pressure on local medical and health sectors due to a healthier and more physically active community.
• Increased neighbourhood vibrancy due to the development of shopping and recreational facilities within walking/biking distance.
• Improved local economy due to the disposable income of citizens going back into the community (instead of into their cars).
• Increase in effective, community-oriented land use, as less is needed for infrastructure to support unnecessary personal vehicle use (roads and parking lots).
• A “nicer looking” community due to the decreased need for roads and parking, and the upgrade and increase of walking and biking areas.
• Cleaner air that will benefit the wildlife and ecosystem health of the Kawarthas.
• Cleaner air and improved climate that will benefit the large agricultural and tourism industries of the area.
• Proactive adjustment of community infrastructure and attitudes to address the future needs of our aging population.

PeterboroughMoves.com is a resource designed to provide Peterborough area citizens with information and tools to engage in walking, biking and ridesharing activities. Coordinated by Peterborough Green-Up and the City of Peterborough with support from the Peterborough County-City Health Unit, the Government of Canada and many others this site is designed for our community. As an evolving site, meeting an evolving need, your feedback is crucial. Please let us know of your ideas and challenges by contacting Peterborough Green-Up.

The financial difference between supporting single-occupancy vehicle use and supporting walking, biking, ridesharing and telecommuting are substantial. For some, owning and operating a vehicle may be debilitating their financial health.

Even if you are not about to give up your car (and most of us aren't) reducing your costs by walking, biking and ridesharing whenever possible can go a long way to increasing your money at hand.