The weekend before last I saw Northfield News publisher and editor Sam Gett at our church. I recognized him from his photo in the paper and I introduced myself. We talked for quite a while about Northfield, the newspaper business, and local efforts to promote biking and walking. I learned that Sam’s wife has been a diabetes educator, so he already knew about the toll that physical inactivity can take on health.

I was delighted to find a few days later that Sam addressed the topic of health and physical activity with gusto in his column, titled “Let’s develop a healthy city.” Here’s an excerpt:

Encouraging people to bike and walk more often makes sense for many reasons. Fewer car trips lowers energy consumption, lightens traffic congestion and reduces pollution. Just as importantly, an effective system of bicycle trails and pedestrian walkways promotes physical activity and healthier lifestyles. Technological advancements have provided plenty of sedentary entertainment options to youth and adults. We need to develop a community that encourages and rewards people for getting out and staying active. With health care costs spiraling out of control, the economic implications are significant.

Luckily for Northfield, engaged citizens are involved in this process. Local blogger Bill Ostrem told me last weekend of his advocacy for a “Mayor’s Task Force on Nonmotorized Transportation” for the city and surrounding area. Several organizations have signed on to support the advisory board, including the Northfield Downtown Development Corp., Carleton College, the Mill Towns State Trail Board and the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Section. Ostrem and I agreed that more stakeholders need to get involved, including the region’s medical community. The state acknowledged that those cities with organized, focused efforts generate the best results, and encouraged citizens to develop and implement a plan over stages.

The timing is right for this discussion; Northfield is currently updating the city’s comprehensive plan and looking to establish a vision for the future. Let’s make sure that vision removes obstacles to healthy lifestyle choices, so our bicycles aren’t left hanging in the garage.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 11th, 2007 at 2:46 pm and is filed under Biking/Walking, Health, Media, Northfield.