The healthy, but risky, choice

Posted By PETER JANISZEWSKI

Posted 6 months ago

The story of Brian Bowers' near-fatal cycling accident, along with the online comments on the story from members of the community, illustrate exactly why there is no hope that the Canadian Medical Association's new policy on active transportation will be adopted by the public until such a time as attitudes toward cyclists, not to mention the ravaged Kingston roads, are overhauled.

Recently, the Canadian Medical Association released a policy statement recommending that "all sectors (government, business and the public) work together, as a matter of priority, to create a culture in their communities that supports and encourages active transportation."

This policy statement is yet another attempt by the medical community to alleviate the growing rates of physical inactivity in Canada.

Currently, three-quarters of Canadian adult men and women fail to meet the recommended 30 minutes of physical activity each day, and are thus deemed inactive.

Given that physical inactivity is a known contributor to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer and multiple other health conditions, the health-care cost of inactivity among Canadians approximates $4.3 billion each year.

Thus, in terms of personal health, the health of our community and that of our overextended health-care system, we all stand to gain much from adopting an active lifestyle.

One of the easiest ways to increase your level of daily physical activity is to use active modes of transportation, such as walking or cycling.

Before his devastating accident, Bowers was one of only about 14% of Canadians who travel to and from work via active transportation.

According to Statistics Canada, the remaining 86% of Canadians spend an average of 63 minutes every day commuting by automobile.

But is it really surprising that Bowers was among a minority of active transporters? When it comes down to it, how does one reconcile the potential personal, health and environmental benefits of active transportation with the risk of serious injury or even death?

Most people, especially those not accustomed to the extreme cycling necessary to navigate the severely damaged roads, unyielding motorists and jaywalking pedestrians common to Kingston, will opt for the relative safety of their car for transportation from point A to point B.

While the Canadian Medical Association's policy statement suggests that communities must create an environment in which "the physically active choice is the easy choice," currently, the physically active choice in Kingston is anything but easy.

For one thing, bicycle theft in Kingston is all too common. It took only a week after my arrival in Kingston for my bicycle to be stolen. Being a graduate student, it took some time before I could invest in another one.

Secondly, many streets are void of bike lanes, and even when bike lanes are present, drivers of motorized vehicles often drive or park on them. I have been cut off by vehicles while cycling in a bicycle lane on more occasions than I care to remember. Luckily, regular maintenance of my brakes and quick reflexes have thus far averted any serious injury.

The City of Kingston has just announced that it is working on the first phase of its "On-Road Bikeway Implementation Plan," which aims to build a "dedicated cycling network in Kingston to encourage more Kingstonians to choose cycling as their mode of transportation." The street locations of the cycling network and the specific work planned is outlined in detail on the city's website.

While bike lanes can be painted overnight, attitudes are not so quick to change.

As well exemplified by the comments from the community on the Brian Bowers story, there is a lack of mutual respect between cyclists and motorists. Motorists perceive all cyclists to be untamed and reckless daredevils; meanwhile, cyclists feel that many motorists are bloodthirsty cyclist-hunters.

Since bicycles are legally considered to be equal to automobiles, cyclists must abide by all the traffic regulations that apply to driving a car. On the other hand, motorists should understand the broad positive implications of active transportation by fellow members of the community and encourage this activity by being courteous and accommodating toward their pedaling peers.

Until cyclists and motorists start showing more respect for each other, few Kingstonians will adopt habitual active transportation, no matter how many encouraging reports the medical community releases.

Peter Janiszewski is a PhD candidate in the School of Kinesiology and Health Studies at Queen's University. For health and fitness news, visit his website at www.obesitypanacea.com.