For the past 50 years, April 22nd has been celebrated as Earth Day, promoting awareness for the health of our environment.
The Altona Community Action Network (ACAN) is marking the event by hosting Active Transportation Day on Saturday, April 15th.
"Active transportation is about accesiblity," says spokesperson Jonah Langelotz. "It's not just for the athletic folks among us who want to wear spandex and ride their bikes as fast as possible."
Langelotz has worked with ACAN for the past four years to raise awareness and encourage environmental sustainability in the community. The group has been involved with promoting townwide composting, the community garden and selling rain barrels.
He says the idea for an Active Transportation Day sprang from his involvement with a series of environment and bike -related workshops.
"We thought about bringing in some experts to host a bit of a discussion and some information about active transportation. Outside of that panel discussion we're gonna have a come-and-go spring tune up. Folks can bike over and we'll help them with some basic bike repair, and if there's something more serious they need with their bike, we're going to have Bruce Penner from Back Alley Cycle there and he can book folks for an appointment for something more serious. We're going to have prizes and stuff to give away, including gift cards, some other bike related swag, and also a kids bike."
By definition, active transportation is any means of getting people from point A to point B without using a vehicle. It could be biking, running, walking, driving a scooter or any other type of people-powered movement. And the benefits go beyond individual health and well-being.
"There is a link between decreased social isolation and mental health with people who move about in the community using active transportation.
For towns, municipalities and cities it could also be economically beneficial . If there's more people biking and walking, then there's less people driving less road repairs. It increases property values and the overall aesthetic of the community when you have people moving about and you can see them."
While acknowledging that vehicles will always be a part of living in rural communities, Langelotz says their goal is to make active alternatives accessible for people who can not afford or are not able to operate a vehicle.
This Saturday's schedule also includes a learn-to-bike demo with a member from Winnipeg Trails Association and a bike ride around town. Kids activities will pair with child care. There will also be a large map of Altona and a discussion about places to move through town that feel safe and accessible whether on foot or by bike.
- With files from Ronny Guenther -