Back to SearchKingston —From June 4 to June 10, many Kingston residents will make a healthy and an environmentally friendly choice by walking, running, rolling or taking the bus to work as part of the national Commuter Challenge event.
The Commuter Challenge is a week-long event that encourages individuals from across Canada to leave their cars behind and to seek another mode of transportation (e.g., walk, take the bus, cycle, car pool, or telecommute). In 2016, Kingston had 743 Commuter Challenge participants from 49 local workplaces who travelled 72,880 kilometres, avoiding 9,113 kilograms of carbon emissions, and saving 4,414 litres of fuel. For the past five years, Kingston has finished in first place, among cities of its size, in the national Commuter Challenge competition.
Workplaces and individuals can track their progress during the week through the official Commuter Challenge website at www.CommuterChallenge.ca. All participants who register and record at least one active or sustainable commute during the week will be automatically entered to win prizes.
“Canadian physical activity guidelines recommend 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity per week, and 85% of Canadian adults are not meeting these guidelines,” said Dr. Ian Gemmill, Medical Officer of Health at KFL&A Public Health. “Participating in the Commuter Challenge is a great way for adults to start incorporating more physical activity into their week.”
The 2017 Commuter Challenge participants are invited to attend daily Cycling Week roll-in breakfasts organized by Cycle Kingston. Media are invited to attend the following events to interview organizers or participants. The week’s schedule of roll-in breakfasts and special events include:
Monday, June 5:
- Cycling Week Roll-In Breakfast, 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., Portsmouth Olympic Harbour along King Street
- Commuter Challenge and Cycling Week Kick Off, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Mayor Paterson is scheduled to speak at 12:15 p.m., City Park
Tuesday, June 6:
- Cycling Week Roll-In Breakfast, 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., Intersection of University Avenue and Union Street
Wednesday, June 7:
- Cycling Week Roll-In Breakfast, 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., Intersection of Princess Street and Barrie Street
Thursday, June 8:
- Cycling Week Roll-In Breakfast
7:30 to 9:30 a.m.
Intersection of Johnson Street and Sydenham Street
Friday, June 9:
K&P Trail Ride with Mark Gerretsen, MP, and KFL&A Public Health’s MOH, Dr. Ian Gemmill
The ride will begin on the K&P Trail at Unity Road at 7:00 a.m. and will finish at the Roll-in- Breakfast at Market Square at approximately 8:25 a.m. Cyclists will also have the option to join the K&P trail ride at several locations along the route: Sydenham Road (7:35 a.m.), Binnington Court (7:45 a.m.), Belle Park (8:10 a.m.)
Cycling Week Roll-In Breakfast
7:30 to 9:30 a.m.
Springer Market Square
This year’s Commuter Challenge event is organized by KFL&A Public Health, the City of Kingston, CFB Kingston, Cycle Kingston, Queen’s University Athletics and Recreation, St. Lawrence College, Kingston Transit, Sustainable Kingston, Friends of Kingston Inner Harbour, Kingston Coalition for Active Transportation, and Kingston Police.
Kingston commuting by the numbers:
- 65% of people in Kingston drive alone to get to work, and only 16% use active or sustainable transportation, including walking, cycling, and public transit.
- 44% of Kingston residents live less than 5 km from their work and 54% of them drive alone to get to work. The median commuting distance to work in Kingston is 6 km.
- Using active transportation can help people meet Canadian physical activity guidelines of 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity per week. Regular moderate-intensity physical activity (e.g., walking or cycling) has health benefits, such as reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, colon and breast cancer, and depression.
-30-
Subscribe