Spring…in motion - Media Release
Media Release - For Immediate Release – May 24, 2012
Spring…in motion
(May 28-June 9, 2012), Saskatoon and region - The Spring...in motion Campaign is about active transportation and working to create a supportive environment for people to hike, bike or roll where they need to go. Spring…in motion features public figures including City Councillors participating in the Saskatchewan Environmental Society’s Bike n’ Blog and community members being invited to take the in motion Hike>>Bike>>Roll Challenge.
“Bike to work week” – May 28th-June 1st
Many communities in the Saskatoon Health Region are encouraging their residents to leave the car at home and bike to work this week.
The Saskatchewan Environmental Society (SES) and in motion have also challenged a group of Saskatoon public figures and community leaders to participate in a Bike n’ Blog. They will cycle to work for the week of May 28th — June 1st and blog about their experiences. Participants so far, include five City Councillors, representatives from the Heart and Stroke Foundation and a Deputy Medical Health Officer from the Saskatoon Health Region. The goal is to promote sustainable, accessible means of transportation in our community, highlight some of the barriers and solutions to successfully cycling in Saskatoon as well as celebrate our vibrant bicycle culture.
Dr. Julie Kryzanowski, Deputy Medical Health Officer of the Saskatoon Health Region says, "bicycling and other means of active transportation are great ways for people to improve their health and well being. Better yet, the benefits extend beyond the individual to society as a whole with secondary benefits including improved air quality, reduced noise, and better quality of life in our neighbourhoods.” Dr. Kryzanowski adds, “The potential benefits far outweigh the risks. In fact, there's safety in numbers - in areas where more people choose to travel actively, streets are safer for pedestrians and cyclists."
The blog to follow the experience Bike n’ Blog riders can be found at http://saskbikenblog.blogspot.ca or through www.in-motion.ca
in motion HIKE>>BIKE>>ROLL Challenge – June 3rd – 9th
In motion is promoting Active Transportation by challenging residents of the Saskatoon Health Region to be physically active when traveling to their daily destinations June 3rd-9th. Participants can enter their trip information and experiences at www.in-motion.ca for a chance to win prizes.
Learn more…
What is Active Transportation? Active transportation is using human powered transport to travel where you need to go, including walking, biking, running, rolling such as a wheel chair, rollerblading or skateboarding. Active Transportation is great for “short” trips, which are less than 30 minutes. Active transportation is a way for people to meet their weekly physical activity guidelines of 150 minutes per week. It is also healthy for our environment and community as it decreases the number of greenhouse gases and other pollutants, which are known to have negative impacts on our health.
In motion is supporting our local communities and workplaces in encouraging residents and employees to leave their cars at home for their personal health, the health of their communities and the health of the environment.
In motion aims to have residents of the Saskatoon Health Region follow the Bike n’ Blog the week of May 28th to inform and inspire them the following week to take the in motion HIKE>>BIKE>>ROLL Challenge and walk, bike, wheel, blade or board to work, school, the store and other short trip daily destinations.
For more information, contact:
Cora Janzen - in motion consultant
Population & Public Health Services, Saskatoon Health Region
655-4696
cora.janzen@saskatoonhealthregion.ca