As an environmentally conscious citizen, active transportation is very important to me. It is a way to reduce our impact on the environment while maintaining an active lifestyle that integrates physical exercise in our daily activity. These modes of transportation also bring important economic and social benefits, from infrastructure investment to sustainable urban planning, to supporting public health.
Active transportation abroad
Throughout my postings abroad, I’ve always tried to favor using active transportation. I began focusing on active transportation during my first posting over 20 years ago in Tokyo. Having a car was not practical, so I got a scooter which I used to go to all my meetings. I also discovered what a real public transportation network can bring to an urban area like Tokyo, where you’re never further than five minutes walk from a metro or bus stop.
Later on, I was posted in India, where options were limited; active transportation in Delhi is a bit different and often involves rickshaws and tuk-tuks. There is now, however, a subway in Delhi which offers a great way to discover Old Delhi without having to go through traffic jams. On my next posting in Paris, I discovered electrical assisted bikes through a program supported by the municipality. E-bikes are a fantastic way to move quickly around a city without adding to the air pollution caused by cars, while giving you enough speed to fight with buses for a spot in the right lane!
Skate to Parliament!
In Canada, we have a different approach to active transportation, reflecting an environment where distances can be significant, and concentration of population very low. As it can be difficult to cover an entire region with public transportation, people tend to combine modes of transportation to get to their workplaces. For example, they walk or drive to a central point from where there is a rapid transit system to downtown and finish the journey by walking to their offices.
Modes of transportation also change based on the season. In Ottawa, where I live when I’m back home, the cycling paths around the city become ski trails during the winter. We also have the Rideau Canal, which is a waterway that crosses the city from North to South. It becomes the longest ice-skating surface in the world with its seven-kilometer length. You can skate from the University of Ottawa to the Parliament in just ten minutes. This is a lot faster than taking a car or public transportation, where the trip would take up to 30 minutes!
Biking in Hungary
Upon my arrival in Budapest, I was not sure that I could easily get around the city on my bike as I had heard that the hills of Buda can be challenging for a cyclist. I soon discovered, however, that the city of Budapest has a fantastic transportation network that is affordable, very efficient and free flowing. I enjoy the cycling path network throughout the city as I explore on my electric bike, which I recently changed to a new Hungarian model. My husband and I have had the chance to discover a fair bit of Hungary this way; we recently spent a few days in the wonderful region of lake Balaton. We have also made numerous weekend trips outside the city, including to Visegrád, to cycle along the Danube, and to Pest County to discover its hidden gems. I look forward to exploring more of Hungary by bike or other active transportation mode.
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