Hammonds Plains youth will help create bicycle racks with support from the province’s sustainable transportation grant program, Connect2.
Chester–St. Margaret’s MLA Hugh MacKay, on behalf of Energy Minister Geoff MacLellan, announced today, Nov. 29, $18,000 for GPI Atlantic to support their Connecting Community program and the installation of four bicycle racks in Hammonds Plains, Glen Haven, Lewis Lake, and the Head of St. Margarets Bay.
“We know how important it is for our youth to get outside and adopt habits like walking and biking,” said Mr. MacKay. “This project will help give more youth in the community opportunities to connect with and explore their neighborhood. This is about creating healthier communities and involving young people in a cleaner energy future.”
GPI Atlantic’s Connecting Community program aims to promote cycling, identify ways to improve existing connectors, and measure the impacts of access to sustainable transportation options.
“The bicycle racks are made by local youth using discarded bicycles, and there will painting parties with a local graffiti artist to decorate the racks and promote trail use,” said Gwen Colman, executive director of GPI Atlantic. “We are also completing a study of youth and active and sustainable transportation in the area and how community engagement can overcome barriers to transportation connectivity for local youth.”
Connect2 aims to create and promote active transportation options for trips of two kilometres or less between community hubs in rural and urban parts of the province.
This year, Connect2 will support about 22 projects across the province. All projects will be completed by the end of March 2018.
For more information about Connect2, visit novascotia.ca/sustainabletransportation.
Source: Release