Why you need to explore Toronto by foot, bike, and boat

‘Walkability’ is becoming increasingly important for Greater Toronto Area residents, and developers are placing more emphasis on master-planned communities that feature walkable designs. Walkable cities are about more than the convenience of amenities just beyond your front door. Being able to travel around the city by foot or by bicycle is also a great way to stay healthy and happy.

This year, we spent time researching and discussing the physical and cognitive benefits of walking and biking, highlighting some of the best paths, ravines, urban forests, and walkable neighbourhoods. Below we’ve rounded up some of the best posts from the year so you can get started on leading a more active and healthy lifestyle right here in the city.

1) 10 reasons you need to walk or ride every day

Getting more active doesn’t mean you have to buy a treadmill or join a gym, it can be as easy as cycling to work instead of using the TTC, or choosing to walk to the grocery store instead of hopping in your car. Walking is an option for people of any age and most fitness levels, and it’s great for the heart and easy on the wallet. Similarly, cycling puts less strain on joints than jogging and is an inexpensive mode of transportation.

In June, we discussed how walking or cycling around the city can help you stay fit, get a good sleep, boost your energy levels, improve your mood, perform better at work, prevent diseases, look younger, control addiction, and of course, reduce congestion in the city.

2) Explore Toronto by foot, bicycle, and boat

In this post, we round up the best ways to explore Toronto’s greener spaces. You don’t have to own a car or travel to cottage country to find yourself surrounded by wilderness. The City of Toronto is home to a number of excellent trails, woodland spaces, and urban waterways that can be explored by foot, bicycle, or boat.

Many Torontonians have spent time exploring High Park and the Waterfront Trail, but few residents know about the hidden 11 hectare Glen Stewart Ravine, Rosedale’s scenic Milkman’s Lane, or the Boyd Conservation trail. The city is also home to a number of great rail trails such as the Lower Don Recreation Trail, Tommy Thompson Park, Mount Pleasant Cemetery, or Ward’s Island.

Even fewer Torontonians know about the kayaking and canoeing opportunities in the city. Try renting a canoe from the Harbourfront Centre or drop your kayak into the Humber River for a relaxing paddle.

3) Cycling in Toronto: building the body and the brain

You likely already know that cycling is great for the quads, glutes, and calves. However, did you know that it helps sculpt your upper body, lowers your risk of heart disease, builds your immune system, reduces blood pressure, and helps your body become more efficient at regenerating new cells? Cycling on a regular basis also has a number of cognitive benefits including improved memory, more motivation, and increased ability to deal with stress.

Cycling in Toronto can be intimidating at first, but once you learn all of the health benefits and safety rules, you’ll want to start turning those cranks on your commute. Pedaling to work is also beneficial for the city’s environmental health because it reduces carbon emissions and traffic in our congested city.

We’re having a mild winter so you don’t have to wait until the summer to get cycling. Ditch your metro pass, hop on your bike, and start cashing in on all of cycling’s benefits for the body and the brain.

4) Another walkability study proving we need walkable communities

Why should Toronto focus time, energy, and funds on creating walkable communities? This year we reported on a study by Texas A&M University professor of Architecture Xuemei Zhu, which analyzed the connection between city infrastructure and healthier lifestyles.

Zhu studied Mueller, a city outside of Austin, Texas with high-density housing, mixed-income residents, 140 acres of parks, and 13 miles of paths and sidewalks for biking and walking. After surveying 449 people, Zhu discovered that over 40% of the respondents said their walking and biking activities increased since moving to Mueller, and over 65% said their general physical activity increased.

Zhu’s study helps reinforce the notion that community design has the ability to promote healthy lifestyles among its residents. These walkable communities not only offer the opportunity to lead a healthier lifestyle, but also reduce fuel consumption and pollution levels.

Several of Toronto’s developers, including Tridel, Daniels, and Dundee Kilmer, are dedicated to building more walkable cities. The next step lies in improving Toronto’s transit and finding ways to reduce the number of cars on the streets.

5) West Queen West: A walker’s paradise

Every year, we visit some of Toronto’s most walkable neighbourhoods. One of our favourites of 2015 was West Queen West, where errands don’t require a car, public transportation is available via the Queen Streetcar, and the flat terrain means it’s easy to get anywhere by bicycle. This stretch of Queen Street received a Walk Score of 98, a Transit Score of 97, and a Bike Score of 78.

What makes this neighbourhood so great? Residents are spoiled by their proximity to some of the city’s best restaurants, great shopping, art galleries, and Trinity Bellwoods Park. The neighbourhood is also ideal for running errands, home to a number of great schools, and well-equipped for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

These are just a few of our favourite walkability topics from the past year. We hope they encouraged you to explore Toronto by foot or bicycle, or have inspired you to get more active in 2016!