Bike lanes a matter of health

More than half of the car trips taken in Canada are under five kilometres in length, meaning they could be taken on foot or bicycle with little loss of time, if the proper sidewalks and bike routes were available.

The winter issue of Health Matters, the quarterly newsletter from the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, discusses the growing issue of municipal planning and its impact on active transportation.

As well, the newsletter offers pointers to parents on preventing cavities in their young children, tips on preventing the spread of colds and the flu in the workplace, and a feature on the concept of family friendly public facilities.

Health Matters focuses on issues of health prevention and promotion of general interest to the local population. It is distributed widely to schools, municipalities, health professionals and other agencies.

Residents can pick up Health Matters at their local health unit office, library or information centre. Electronic issues of Health Matters are also stored on the health unit website at www.simcoemuskokahealth. org.