Every workday, Vanessa Herman pulls on her shoes — or rubber boots if it’s raining — and walks to her job at Russell Books.
She’s not alone. A 2011 Statistics Canada labour force survey released Wednesday shows workers in Victoria are more likely to walk or cycle to work than those in any other metropolitan area in Canada.
Ten per cent of Victorians walk to work. That’s 1.5 percentage points higher than Halifax and Kingston, tied for second. Victoria also leads in bicycling, at 5.9 per cent, versus 2.6 per cent in Kelowna, which holds the No. 2 spot.
Herman’s five-minute walk saves her money and allows her to relax before she starts her workday, she said.
“It’s a nice way to start your day. You get a few minutes to clear your head. You don’t have to think about traffic and who’s going where.” Expensive parking downtown also discourages her from driving, Herman said.
The survey found that about 70 per cent of Victorians drive a vehicle to work, either alone or in a carpool, while 11 per cent use public transit.
Some businesses have encouraged alternatives to commuting by car through reward programs.
Tired of seeing employees’ vehicles filling the parking lot, Level Grounds Trading — off Keating Cross Road in Saanich — is paying workers to be more environmentally friendly.
Employees are given subsidies of 10 cents for every kilometre they travel to work by cycling, walking and, in one case, longboarding. If they use public transit, the company covers half the cost.
“It’s one of the greatest means by which we’ve enhanced our recruiting strategy,” said Stacey Toews, co-founder of the coffee trading company. “From a health standpoint, it’s a better way to get to work than driving.”
Victoria’s pedestrian transportation plan aims to develop more infrastructure for those who walk. “It’s everything from sidewalks to the larger design of walkable neighbourhoods and village centres,” said Victoria Mayor Dean Fortin. “It’s what our citizens want.”
Fortin said development of village centres such as Cook Street Village and Fernwood Village has helped to encourage walking and cycling.
He said he expects consultation for a new cycling plan to begin in the next few months.
- - -
WALKING TO WORK
Percentage of workers who commute by walking
Victoria 10
Vancouver 6.3
Edmonton 4.1
Regina 4.7
Saskatoon 5.1
Winnipeg 5.1
Toronto 4.6
Kingston 8.5
Montreal 5.3
Halifax 8.5
— 2011 census metropolitan areas survey by Statistics Canadaa
