Backgrounder Transit, Active Transportation, and Public Health

This fact sheet argues that transitioning from car-dependency to active transportation (walking, cycling) and public transit significantly improves public health. It highlights reductions in chronic disease, mental illness, and road fatalities, while decreasing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The document emphasizes that such infrastructure is critical for reducing social and economic inequalities, particularly for low-income populations in Canada.

• Chronic diseases and obesity impose significant economic burdens in Canada. In 2008, cardiovascular disease alone cost $12.1 billion. Additionally, the estimated cost of 18 chronic diseases linked to obesity is $7.1 billion, with over one in four Canadian adults and 8.6% of children and youth aged 6 to 17 classified as obese.
• Active transportation and public transit increase physical activity, which reduces the risk of chronic disease. Walking or cycling to work is linked to an 11% reduction in cardiovascular risk. Public transit also promotes activity; a Montreal study showed a round trip averaged 2,500 steps (25% of recommended daily activity), and a US study found transit users walk an average of 19 minutes daily.
• Shifting from cars to active transportation and public transit improves road safety. In 2014, 1,834 people died in Canadian motor vehicle collisions, with pedestrians making up 15.7% and cyclists 1.9% of fatalities. Public transit is significantly safer, with a passenger fatality rate approximately one-twentieth that of car travelers.
• Active transportation and public transit support mental health by increasing physical activity and fostering social cohesion. Mental illness is a leading cause of disability in Canada, with an estimated annual economic cost of $51 billion. Transit specifically reduces social isolation by providing access to services, jobs, and recreation.
• The transportation sector is a major source of air pollution, which causes acute and chronic health issues. In the City of Toronto, traffic-related air pollution is estimated to cause 440 deaths, 1,700 hospital admissions, and 200,000 restricted activity days annually. Across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA), it is responsible for approximately 700 premature deaths and an economic impact exceeding $4.6 billion.
• Transportation is a primary contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and climate change. In 2004, Canada's transportation sector accounted for 26% of total national emissions, and in Ontario, it was responsible for 35%. To meet Paris Agreement commitments, Canada must reduce GHGs by 30% from 2005 levels by 2030 and 80% by 2050.
• Active transportation and public transit can alleviate poverty and reduce social inequalities. Families in car-dependent suburbs spend 25% of monthly income on transportation, compared to 9% for those in walkable, transit-efficient areas. Inadequate transportation has restricted access to medical services for 4% of US children (3.2 million) and low-income residents in Toronto and Edmonton.

APA

Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (n.d.). Backgrounder Transit, Active Transportation, and Public Health. https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/CAPE-AT-Active-Travel-Health-BCK-2017.pdf

Chicago

Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment. Backgrounder Transit, Active Transportation, and Public Health. n.d. https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/CAPE-AT-Active-Travel-Health-BCK-2017.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment |title=Backgrounder Transit, Active Transportation, and Public Health |url=https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/CAPE-AT-Active-Travel-Health-BCK-2017.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{canadianassociationofphysiciansfortheenvironmentndbackgrounder, author = {{Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment}}, title = {{Backgrounder Transit, Active Transportation, and Public Health}}, institution = {Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment}, url = {https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/CAPE-AT-Active-Travel-Health-BCK-2017.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }