Robert Voigt, an Ontario Professional Planner, and Cambium’s Senior  Project Manager of Community Development Services worked with the Town of Gravenhurst to develop an Age-Friendly Active Transportation Plan.  The goal was to craft an action plan that would identify opportunities to make the community more walking and cycling friendly.

Rob developed a series of videos as a creative component of the community engagement process that highlights some components of an active transportation plan that can make any community more walking and cycling friendly.

Active Transportation Plans

Active Transportation plans are not just about networks and building infrastructure. It is about working with what you have and the capacity of the citizens and the municipality.  The video series  looks at:

• Sidewalks – addressing connections and links to ensure the safety of pedestrians
• Connections – connecting sidewalks and recreational trails to support an active lifestyle and support people who want to get around on their own.
• Street and Trees – street trees can make an environment more walking and cycling friendly.
• Parklets and Pocket Parks – a great way to enhance a business environment and make it more walking and cycling friendly.
• Curb Extensions –health and safety of pedestrians and drivers.
• Traffic Signals – important aspects of traffic signals to support accessibility.
• Links to Roads and Sidewalks – connections between sidewalks and roads are a high priority to make it easier for people to navigate around the community.
• Parking Areas and Connections – simple design choices to make parking areas and connections between developments active transportation and all-ages friendly.
• Bike Lanes – dedicates environments to safely ride bikes and support cyclists.
• Community Design – landscaping, seating, and blank building walls should be considered at the community design stage to make environments more comfortable to walk.
• Complete streets – consider all modes of transportation when designing and redeveloping streets to make them safer for everyone.

Rob Voigt is a Registered Professional Planner with over 17 years of experience in Canada and the US. His specialization lies in placemaking, citizen engagement, healthy community design, and active transportation. If you are looking at your community needs and have questions about active transportation plans and healthy community design, connect with Rob and he can help navigate the process.