Jackie Donaldson, program co-ordinator of climate change and transportation at Green-Up, says the city has a "comprehensive transportation plan," and it is "very keen" to get people out walking, busing and biking more.

While the value of walking is self-evident from a health perspective, Jackie notes a good busing program is equally important in a city for other reasons. The City just underwent a transit review two weeks ago to look at its busing system.

"Busing is really important in that it gives equity to people. People do not have to turn down jobs" because of transportation issues, which means more opportunities for more people, she says.

And, the fact the City of Peterborough has a new position to handle and direct the vision of the program is encouraging to Jackie. The new title in the transportation department is Transportation Demand Management Planner.

"It’s a progressive move on the part of the City. Not all municipalities have such a position," says Jackie.

Busing, for instance, is undergoing a thorough review right now. The City has released fact sheets on bus expenditures, laying out discussion points such as routes, fares and accessibility for the public, listing the pros and cons of new ideas and welcoming new ones.

The focus on biking, though, says Jackie, will not happen until busing and walking have had their turns. That’s because the needs associated with strongly promoting biking have to be tied in with the appropriate infrastructure, including such concerns as establishing safety courses.

--More to come

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