The last several decades have seen communities across the country slowly increase their cycling infrastructure. Bike paths and bike lanes are designed to promote a more active lifestyle, yet only about one per cent of working Canadians 15 years and older use a bike as their main form of transportation to and from their job.

A great way to sneak in exercise during a busy day, active commuting doesn’t just mean cycling to the office and back. Biking to the commuter train or tram, to pick up groceries, to the library and/or friends’ houses can all add valuable exercise minutes to the day. Some studies report that two hours of cycling a week results in a nearly 10 per cent reduction in mortality, not a bad return for leaving the car at home for short commutes.

But the key to getting more people to choose their bike over the car is ensuring they feel safe on the road. In a battle for space on city streets, cyclists are almost always the loser. So dedicated bike paths are the key to creating more bike-friendly cities.

But not just any bike path will do. The safer the bike path is perceived, the more likely it is to get used.

Studies done in European, American and Australian cities state that dedicated bike paths or routes, a physical separation between cyclists and cars, and the........

© Montreal Gazette