Campus Connection

Conference at UWL focuses on human-powered transportation options

About 70 percent of all trips three miles or less are driven, according to the National Household Travel Survey. That’s too many gas-guzzling, tiny-distance that could easily be made using human power, says Matthew Christen of Urban Connections, an Onalaska-based company that promotes active transportation. A one-day conference at UWL in May is for anyone who shares an interest in encouraging and accelerating engagement in active transportation — modes of transport powered by humans. The Midwest Active Transportation Conference will be from 8:15 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, May 20, in Centennial Hall. Relying more heavily on human-propelled means to move around communities would ultimately mean more money in pocketbooks, as well as a healthier, happier and more productive population, adds Christen, a community engagement facilitator who had the original idea for the conference. Sessions are geared toward both professionals and everyday citizens. People in health promotion, urban design, planning, engineering, transportation, or citizen advocates may be particularly interested, says Christen. “There is something for everyone,” says Christen. “The more we know, the better choices we can make.” Participants will learn about research, best practices and active transportation experiences, as well as connect with others who share an interest in an active transportation future. A professional from the Minnesota Department of Health will share a Minnesota plan to improve the pedestrian environment in the state. A UWL faculty member will share the process and recommendations related to investigating biking, walking, and transportation issues on campus. Throughout the conference, participants will be called on to actively engage in the vision planning for a community with more self-propelled transportation in mind. For example, participants will have the option of walking or biking during lunch in guided groups to experience the current state of La Crosse's active transportation feasibility. Christen, who is an active walker, hiker and bicyclist, hopes the conference increases awareness of the real cost of owning a car. In addition to the monetary cost of gas burning, car driving and road building, he sees a less obvious toll on inactive bodies. Active transportation could bring indirect economic benefits through lower health care costs, higher student achievement and greater workplace productivity, he says. “The more community engagement we have in active transportation, the greater increase we have in our collective capacity for change,” says Christen. The conference is sponsored by UWL Continuing Education and Extension in partnership with Urban Connections.

Urban Connections is a La Crosse area company that aims to empower people in active transportation through engaging, collaborative, community conversations developing grassroots action steps to make a positive impact on health and wellbeing.

Register and learn more online: http://www.uwlax.edu/conted/active-transport/ If you go— What: The Midwest Active Transportation Conference Where: Centennial Hall When: 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, May 20 Cost: Early-bird registration (before Friday April 29) ranges from $49 to $125, depending on whether the participant is a student, whether lunch is included, and whether registering for the full conference or the “active citizen track.” Learn more online at http://www.uwlax.edu/conted/active-transport/