June 2, 2022 – The temperatures have risen, the leaves are on the trees … are you ready to get active on your way to school or work? Or maybe just for fun!
Don’t forget: June is Bike Month!
We know the benefits of active travel can be huge: riding or walking every day can get us a long way towards the recommended amount of weekly or daily physical activity. And getting our bodies active also means our minds are activated! Not to mention the impact on the environment.
Students who’ve participated in our virtual learning program The Air, The Climate and Us! can tell you all about the effect of motorized travel on local air quality: they used air quality monitors and bio-indicators (lichen) to explore how much drop-off and pick-up traffic at schools can impact the air.
Even with all these positives, it can sometimes be hard to carve out extra time on weekday mornings to walk or ride with your kids on their way to school, or to get yourself to your place of work.
You may also be concerned about safety: Peel Region is home, after all, to four 400 series highways and many other busy roads, some of which may be on your route.
What to do? If making the shift to active school travel is hard, why not start by taking a ride or a walk after school or on the weekend? Peel has some great off-road cycle routes that are perfect for a safe ride with your family:
- The Chinguacousy Trail in Brampton
- The Caledon Trailway
- The Etobicoke Creek Trail in Brampton
- The Etobicoke Creek Trail in Mississauga
- The Waterfront Trail in Mississauga
- Professor’s Lake Trail
- Humber Valley Heritage Trail
You might also want to check out the Peel Trails map, which shows all the trails in the region.
Select the image below to view the Peel Trails map.
If bike maintenance is an issue, there are several organizations that can help you make sure your bikes are ready to ride. You’ll find their contact details on the Region of Peel Walk and Roll site.
Riding on weekends and after school can also mean quieter roads for your ride. Starting this way can build confidence and may make it easier to embark on active school journeys in the future.
Visit the Bike Month webpage for more resources.