Economic Benefits

• Save tons of money! Driving 18,000 km per year costs an average of $8,441.25 per year or 46.9 cents per kilometre (Canadian Automobile Association 2011 national average for a Cobalt LT).
• Reduce health care costs for Canadians. It is estimated that transportation-related emissions will cost the health care system $11 billion to $38 billion between 1997 and 2020 (Transportation Association of Canada, 1998).
• Save tax dollars. Reduce roadway construction and maintenance costs.

Community Benefits

Active and sustainable transportation makes your community safer by reducing the risk of vehicle-pedestrian accidents.

• Increase social interaction within the community, resulting in much improved personal relationships and community health.
• Support community-based businesses, such as local shops, restaurants, bakeries and newsstands.
• Decrease traffic noise. Engines and horns, or sprockets and bells? You decide!
• Reduce traffic jams and parking hassles.

Environmental Benefits

Active and sustainable transportation keeps our air clean by improving air quality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

• Reduce toxic air pollution. Pollutants from many transportation sources aggravate respiratory disease, and contribute to property damage and acid rain.
• Reduce the threat of climate change. Did you know that it takes 130 trees to produce the amount of oxygen needed to combat the carbon dioxide emitted from one car each year?
• Conserve natural habitat. Fewer cars on the road decrease the demand for more roads and parking lots, allowing more land for green space.
• Driving less reduces the need for non-renewable fossil fuel resources.
• Reduce ozone layer destruction. Did you know that motor vehicle air conditioners are the world’s single largest source of CFC leakage into the atmosphere? (Zielinski, 1995).

Employer Benefits

Active and sustainable modes of transportation enhance employee productivity, health and job satisfaction.

• Reduce costs. Healthy commuters make fewer demands for subsidized parking.
• Increase productivity. teleworkers saved an average of 107 minutes per day between commute time reductions and fewer home office distractions. 74% of telecommuters in that study reported an increase in their productivity, with 85% of managers also noticing a productivity increase from their telecommuting workers (McCune, 2011).
• Reduce sick days. Healthy commuters are more relaxed at the workplace and take fewer days off sick.
• Reduce workplace accidents. Healthy commuters are more alert and adept at work.
• Enhance public image. Employers who promote and facilitate the well being of employees, communities, and the environment enjoy greater loyalty and respect from employees and customers alike.