Learn to reduce your dependence on cars

NEWMARKET – Residents of the Town Markham and the City of Vaughan are invited to find out more about their travel options by visiting the Travel Smart Travel Fairs that will take place in their communities next week.

 

Travel Fairs are part of York Region’s Personal Travel Planning pilot project.  Personal Travel Planning aims to reduce automobile dependence by providing households with face-to-face advice and information about their travel options.

 

Thornhill and Cornell are the two communities where this approach to reducing traffic congestion will be piloted.  The project will determine whether this approach can be applied to other communities across York Region.

 

Staff from York Region Transit, Public Health, Smart Commute, CAN-BIKE and local municipalities will be available to answer questions about how you can make the shift to more “green” modes of travel.

 

 
Thornhill area
September 21, 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Garnet A. Williams Community Centre
501 Clark Avenue West
City of Vaughan

 

Cornell area
September 22, 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Rhenish Church of Canada
2667 Bur Oak Avenue (at 16th Avenue
Town of Markham

 

 
BACKGROUND:

Using sustainable modes of travel, including walking, bicycling, public transit and carpooling, can save money, improve personal health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  Staff can answer questions about local bus routes, what to look for when buying a walking shoe, how to find a carpool partner or any other information residents might need to be able to leave their cars at home more often.

 

The Travel Fairs will include a number of tutorials and interactive displays:
• Carpool Zone: Learn how to sign up to Smart Commute’s online ride-matching system and find potential carpool partners in your area
• Bike ’n Bus: Try out York Region Transit’s new bike rack, available on all YRT buses
• Walking Workshop: Learn about the benefits of regular walking and what you need to start a regular walking program
• Fix your Bike: Learn a few easy and practical tips for keeping your bike in working order
• Safe Cycling: Kids can learn some basics about using their bike safely from trained CAN-BIKE instructors

 

The pilot project is conducted in partnership with the Town of Markham and the City of Vaughan, with the financial support of the Province of Ontario.

 

For more information on The Regional Municipality of York, please visit www.york.ca 

 

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Media Contact: Tim Paleczny, Corporate Communications Specialist, York Region
 Phone:  905 830-4444, Ext. 1238, 416 297-9696 or Toll free 1-877-464-9675
 Cell:  905 251-6413  Email: tim.paleczny@york.ca