Become an active transportation influencer

Photo by SEO Galaxy on Unsplash

It isn’t flashy. You won’t get rich; there no compensation; in fact, it is a volunteer position. But it is an excellent opportunity to learn about active transportation, advocate for safer streets, build your network, practice presentation skills, share your passion, and make the community a better place.

Cities are looking for members of the public to participate in Advisory Committees. These consist of members of the public. The committees are typically in need of members representing groups who may not typically have a strong voice to help them advocate for their benefit. For example: students, newcomers to the city, those who rely on active transportation to avoid the cost of alternatives, parents, etc. Some cities offer compensation for transportation or child care to help members participate.

Who qualifies? Typically, the requirements are fairly basic:

• Resident, property owner, or business owner in city
• Some interest and knowledge about the topic
• Time to attend meetings and prepare presentations

Often, these committees are consulted for feedback on related projects in the planning phase. This could include: trails in parks, intersection reconstruction, road reconstruction, signage, or addition of traffic calming. Also, feedback is sought for strategic planning, community education, and community events.

There are lots of benefits of active transportation, including:

• Physical activity and health benefits
• Cheaper for individuals than alternatives
• Good for local business
• Good for mental health
• Good for community building
• Cheaper infrastructure than alternatives
• Results in a more beautiful city scape
• Improved safety and convenience for all road users

With all these benefits for both individuals and the cities, active transportation is something that is really important to promote. In fact, the target of more than 50% of all trips to be made via AT brings huge benefit to the city.

Below is a list of Ontario cities with links to the active transportation advisories. Check the one out in your city and consider joining, or perhaps just attending a meeting. This isn’t the only way to improve cities for Active Transportation… there are many groups and organizations that do anything from repair bikes to organize meetups. Try some out and you’ll meet others who are passionate about improving the place where you live.

Cities

Barrie — Active Transportation & Sustainability Committee

Belleville — Transportation Committee

Brampton — Active Transportation Advisory Committee

Brantford — none

• Other committees

Burlington — Integrated Transportation Advisory Committee

Cambridge — Cambridge Cycling and Trails Advisory Committee (CCTAC)

• Apply

Greater Sudbury — none

• Other committees

Guelph — Transit Advisory Committee

• Might not be for active transportation

Hamilton — Cycling Committee

Kitchener — Active Transportation and Trails Advisory Committee

• Meets: second Tuesday of each month 16:00–18:00
• Apply

London — Integrated Transportation Community Advisory Committee

Markham — Cycling & Pedestrian Advisory Committee

Mississauga — Cycling Advisory Committee

• Meets: Second Tuesday of each month 18:00

Niagara Falls — see Niagara Region

Norfolk County — none

• Other committees

North Bay — not listed

• Information on Active Transportation

Oshawa — none

• Other committees

Ottawa — Transportation Committee

• Meets: Second Wednesday of each month 15:00 (?)

Peterborough — none

• Other committees

Pickering — none

• Other committees

Port Colborne — Active Transportation Advisory Committee

Richmond Hill — none

Sarnia — none

• Other committees

Sault Ste. Marie — none

• Other committees

St. Catherines — see Niagara Region

Stratford — Active Transportation Advisory Committee

• Meets: fourth Wednesday of each month at 19:00

Thunder Bay — none

• Other committees

Toronto

• Doesn’t have one, it was scrapped in 2011
• Other opportunities

Uxbridge — Active Transportation Committee

• Meets: First Friday of each month 08:30–10:00

Vaughan — Transportation and Infrastructure Advisory Committee

• Other committees

Waterloo — Advisory Committee on Active Transportation

• Meets: second Tuesday of each month 08:00–10:00

Welland — Active Transportation Advisory Committee

• Meets: Third Thursday of each month 16:30–17:30

Windsor — Active Transportation Expert Panel

Regions

Niagara Region — Active Transportation Sub Committee

Region of Durham — Active Transportation Committee

Region of Waterloo — Active Transportation Advisory Committee

• Meets: third Tuesday of each month 17:00–19:00

Other articles you might like:

Micromobility ready to launch in Region of Waterloo for 2024