Yellowknife Team to Participate in International Workshop on Active Mobility and Inclusive Design

An interdisciplinary team from Yellowknife has been selected to join three other Canadian teams in an international workshop hosted by 8 80 Cities and the Canadian Institute for Health Research. The submission entitled "Guiding the City of Yellowknife towards the development of a healthy community plan that supports active mobility and inclusive design standards through all four seasons," was chosen as part of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) – Healthy Cities Research Initiative – Planning Grants for Implementing Healthy Urban Policy.

The workshop offers a unique opportunity to learn from Finnish experts about Helsinki’s human-centered approach to urban design, which prioritizes accessibility, inclusivity, and sustainability. Helsinki’s model focuses on creating spaces and transportation options that are adaptable to all residents, regardless of age, ability, or seasonal challenges, providing valuable lessons for Yellowknife’s future planning. Following the workshop, the team looks forward to sharing what they’ve learned with the Yellowknife community. They will explore ways to engage local residents and community stakeholders in conversations about inclusive, sustainable, and adaptable solutions to improve mobility and make the city more connected and accessible throughout the year.

The Team from Yellowknife attending the workshop include:

• Susan Chatwood, Institute for Circumpolar Health Research
• Rob Warburton, City Councilor and CEO of Outpost
• Kyla Wright, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine and Graduate Student in MSc Public Health Sciences
• Thomsen D'Hont, Family Physician, Vice-Chair of the Arctic Indigenous Wellness Foundation
• Becca Denley, Architect, Founder of SHIFT NWT bike share, and Senior Facility Planner at Housing NWT

These individuals are participating in the workshop on a voluntary basis, dedicating their time and expertise outside of their official professional roles to contribute to this important initiative.

Dwayne Wohlgemuth wrote a fantastic article about SHIFT's founder and program director Becca Denley in  Up Here Magazine! It explores the challenges and joys of active mobility in the North - with a focus on winter biking.

Up Here Magazine has been the leading voice for Canada's North for over 40 years.  The magazine celebrates the people, places, and stories that make the North unique. 

As winter lasts 6 months in Yellowknife, there's time for us to analyze data collected during the summer SHIFT season. We distribute surveys to all of our participants, and also use GPS trackers that double as anti-theft mechanisms. Here's a Heat Map from our 2024 SHIFT season, showing the frequency of places visited around the city. This is information can inform the Active Mobility portion of the City's Master Transportation Plan which will start later in 2025.

Ecology North and experienced cyclists from Communities in Motion, the YK Mountain Bike Club, SHIFT NWT, and Overlander Sports hosted an in-person introduction to Winter Biking at the Legislative Assembly on Saturday, March 1st, 2025.

We discussed details about safety, gear, winterizing your bike, and more from winter biking experts in Yellowknife.

Tons of different types of winterized bikes were on site for people to try out, then finally, we  took over the roads in a critical mass ride down to the Snow Castle!

Thank-you Ecology North, and the NWTRPA Get Active fund and the 100 Knifers grant, and the event partners.

Becca and Adam Denley were interviewed about the SHIFT program by John Simmerman of Active Towns in Fall 2024.

John Simmerman is a health promotion and public health professional with over 30 years of experience. He explores how the built environment influences human behavior related to active living and especially active mobility.  The Active Towns Channel features John's original video content and reflections, including a selection of podcast episodes and short films profiling the positive and inspiring efforts happening around the world.

There is a growing community of people in Yellowknife who are working hard to develop programs, projects, and presentations that will help our city to better support health, safety, and a stronger economy.

The concept of "Complete Streets" is safe, welcoming spaces for people to move whether they are walking or rolling, ideally separated from vehicular traffic.  Because we live in Yellowknife, NT which has snow for 6 months of the year, snow maintenance considerations is also a part of this study.

Please ask yourself: "Who is being left behind by the design of our streets?", and then imagine ways that we can design our streets with the youngest, oldest, and most vulnerable in mind first.

Here are examples of projects and programs from 2024:
- Several Meetings and Presentations to City Council and the Mayor of Yellowknife
- GNWT set up Temporary Protected Bike Lanes at Folk on the Rocks
- Critical Mass Bike Rides
- "Bike Bus" programs that allow kids to bike to school in groups led by parents.
- Velo Canada Pedal Poll count
- Successful 1st year of the SHIFT program
- Mobycon Webinar and other Educational Sessions
- Santa Claus Parade Critical Mass Ride

Here are just a few of the programming/activities planned for 2025!
- Baby Expo & Spring Trade Show 2025 Information Booth
- Introduction to Winter Biking - with Ecology North
- Fundraising for 2025 SHIFT program
- Bike Route Planning
- Applications for the Federal Active Transportation Fund
- June Bike Bus program
- ARTWALKS - Colourful Crosswalks at Yellowknife Schools
- Stay Tuned for More Information!

Do you live in Yellowknife and believe that our streets have the potential to create a healthier, more economic, and socially connected community?
Do you want to see people biking on dedicated bikeways which  reduces traffic and increases safety?
Do you have any ideas about how to enhance our community? 
 Are you interested in being involved in Active Transportation efforts in the North? 
Please click the link below, to join our growing list of volunteers.