MAKING DISCOVERIES TO GUIDE CYCLING TRAIL IMPLEMENTATION
Our goal within the Urban Trails Research Team is to explore the impact of urban cycling networks and policies on population health and well-being. We are an inter-disciplinary, pan-Canadian research group which combines the expertise of academics, city planners, non-governmental organizations, and community leaders studying cycling in eight cities across the country.
We are dedicated to supporting equitable, accessible, and enjoyable cycling infrastructure in cities
to improve health and well-being for all Canadians.
Our Research Projects
ESCALATE - ESsential conditions for CAnadian Leisure and Active Transportation Effectiveness
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This is an implementation science project to examine the contexts and attributes of cycling trails with higher versus lower cycling traffic volumes. This project has sites in eight Canadian cities, and uses five methods of data collection: trail counter data, geo-spatial mapping, trail user surveys, focus groups, and municipal document analysis.​
Study Status: Ongoing
MATCH - Causal effects of new urban trails on CVD health in urban dwelling Canadians
MATCH - Meta-Analyzing the effect of urban Trails on Cardiovascular Health
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This project expands the natural experiment evaluating the impact of building cycling trails on population health previously conducted by our network. This meta-analysis will examine the impact of over 40 trails built in 5 Canadian cities on reducing cardiovascular disease risk. ​​
Study status: Ongoing
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MEND - Causal effects of urban trails on youth mental health
MEND -
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This study will leverage administrative health datasets to analyze impacts of built trails on mental health outcomes for youth across 5 cities. Mental health will be examined using a composite mental health score (including disorders characterized by anxiety, depression, attention deficit, and substance abuse).
​Study Status: Ongoing
New PATHS - New Pathways to support Active Transportation and Health in Selkirk
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This natural experiment project assesses a new 3 km protected cycling lane in the City of Selkirk MB, which could connect cyclists to 6 schools, a college, retail centres, and leisure areas. Before and after the trail implementation, we will count parked bikes along the route, analyze anonymous cycling counts, and conduct longitudinal surveys assessing community physical activity.​
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Study Status: Ongoing
This natural experiment project assesses a new 3 km protected cycling lane in the City of Selkirk MB, which could connect cyclists to 6 schools, a college, retail centres, and leisure areas. Before and after the trail implementation, we will count parked bikes along the route, analyze anonymous cycling counts, and conduct longitudinal surveys assessing community physical activity.​
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Study Status: Pending funding
I AM HERE - A POPULATION-BASED CULTURAL URBAN TRAIL INTERVENTION
I AM HERE -
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This project aims to support coordination of Indigenous-led cultural events on urban trails throughout Manitoba to facilitate relationships with the land and promote equitable access and use of urban trail infrastructure. Cultural events are cyclical with each season, each focusing on one of four themes: the full moon, traditional medicines, land-based teachings, and youth-led events.
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Study Status: Pending funding
Territorial Acknowledgement
This research team spans a large geographical area in what is now known as Canada. Our partners operate on traditional lands from numbered Treaties 1, 6, and 13, as well as unceded territory with treaty agreements between local First Nations Peoples and Settler governments, and the Homeland of the Red River Métis. We recognize the historical theft of these lands from the Indigenous Peoples who originally occupied them, that these lands have not been adequately or equitably cared for by the structures imposed during and since colonization. We are committed to upholding the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's (TRC) Calls to Action #18-24 and #89 with respect to health, physical activity, and sport, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) articles 21, 23-27, and 32, and the Indigenous Land Back Movement in the spirit of supporting active transportation spaces on lands in respectful partnership with the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities across Canada.
Our Research Network
Pan-Canadian Collaboration
We are proud to partner with eight cities across five provinces in Canada: the Capital Regional District (BC), Edmonton (AB), Brandon (MB), Winnipeg (MB), Selkirk (MB), Mississauga (ON), Sherbrooke (QC), and Québec City (QC).
We are also very privileged to work with a number of community-based, governmental and non-governmental groups. These include Ever Active Schools (AB), Winnipeg Trails Association (MB), Manitoba Métis Federation (MB), First Nations Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba (MB), and the Winnipeg Boldness Project (MB).
Finally, our team is fortunate to include a number of academic and public health partners from institutions such as Simon Fraser University, the University of Alberta, Brandon University, the University of Manitoba, the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, Public Health Ontario, the University of Toronto, l'Université de Sherbrooke, Université Laval, the Centre de recherche du Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke, and VITAM.
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Subscribe to our newsletter
The Urban Trails Research team releases a monthly newsletter, available in either English or French, which highlights some updates from our team, new research, cool cycling infrastructure, and available tools or data related to urban cycling.