Trails Day a chance to highlight sustainable transportation in Cambridge

With it being Bike Month and the celebration of International Trails Day on June 3, the City of Cambridge is encouraging residents to consider sustainable modes of transportation.

From The Great Trail, Grand Trunk Trail, Mill Run Trail and the Moffat Creek Trail, the city has 110 kilometres of off-street trails for cycling.

On-street, the number of kilometres designed for cycling grows to 150.

“We encourage residents to get outside and enjoy our well-developed cycling network this month,” Shannon Noonan, manager of transportation engineering, said.

“The city’s trail system provides practical, convenient, and attractive transportation and recreation options for residents and visitors of Cambridge. It’s an integral part of the city’s overall active transportation network.”

The move towards sustainable, environmentally-friendly transportation has been a focus of the Cycling and Trails Advisory Committee for some time.

According to the 2020 Cycling Master Plan, vehicles contribute to 49 per cent of total GHG emission in Waterloo region, 68 per cent of which are from personal vehicles.

The role of the committee is to input on policy, planning, development and implementation of public trails, related off-road and on-road cycling and active transportation facilities.

“The goal is to assist the city in developing a contiguous on-road cycling infrastructure and an integrated off-road trail system,” Noonan said.

“This will provide a safe, identified and attractive transportation network for pedestrians and cyclists of all ages and abilities for recreation, health and active transportation opportunities, between and through all Cambridge residential communities and commercial cores, business and employment areas, and parks and natural areas.”

The master plan found that 91 per cent of Cambridge residents commute to work by automobile and are inactive during that time.

Across the country, only 8 per cent of Canadian children aged five to 17 are getting the daily physical activity required to be healthy.

When it comes to savings, the average annual cost of operating and maintaining an automobile is $10,000, compared to just $350 for a bicycle.

The average amount spent on roads and bridges exceeds $50 per person per year, while pedestrian and bike projects accounts for just $0.87 per person.

While cycling isn’t always an option in a car dominated society, the city hopes residents will consider the more sustainable options when possible.

“Providing alternate and sustainable transportation options can help Cambridge move towards a more balanced transportation system that encourages healthy and active living, creates a more livable community, and results in cost-effective and efficient solutions in terms of infrastructure investments,” Noonan said.