A car-free lifestyle might not be what most people associate with small town living, but car-free Moncton resident Charles MacDougall crunched the numbers this spring to come up with a list of seven Maritime towns where significant numbers of residents walk or bike to get around.
Sackville is number 4 on MacDougall’s list, clocking in with 20.8% of residents walking or biking to work regularly. That may be impressive for a small town, but it’s nowhere near the number for Annapolis Royal, which according to MacDougall’s analysis, has 38.1% of residents walking or biking to work regularly.
To get his numbers, MacDougall used data from Canada’s 2021 long form census, which asks a quarter of Canadians to answer questions on a variety of topics, including their transportation habits. MacDougall pulled the numbers and averaged rates between population centres and actual municipal boundaries of small towns. Then he published his list, along with his thoughts, in a thread on Twitter/X.
Here’s MacDougall’s list of the towns where more than 15% of residents say they mainly walk or bike to work:
- Annapolis Royal (38,1%) – Iconic. Lots to admire and (re)discover on foot. Many attractions, services and even grocery options for a town its size.
- Saint-Andrews (23,3%) – Very classic and walkable grid layout with a strong Main St (although too touristy for my liking, doesn’t feel as practical). There’s an incredible resort and a small college campus in walking distance from the centre of town. Just overall pretty.
- Lunenburg (22,8%) – It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site for a reason! The dense and historic grid make for a very walkable town, even if it’s on a hill. Lots of commercial activity on a variety of streets and fisheries the waterfront too.
- Sackville (20,8%) – A charming university town with some industry mixed in. Irregular layout in my opinion but it adds to the quirkiness. Great trails and scenery with the marshes.
- Antigonish (17,8%) – Another university town and definitely a hub, whether it’s because of the regional hospital or its cultural events. Most full-service community of our top 7, with a small mall at one end of town and a sort of ”smart centre” (hi Walmart) at the other end.
- Pugwash (17,0%) – Our surprise of the list! Small village nestled on Nova Scotia’s Northumberland Shore. On further examination, within or on the edge of its little grid layout, you’ll find a small hospital, two schools, a grocery store, the wharf, and a salt mine.
- Wolfville (15,6%) – This completes our university town trio with Sackville and Antigonish. Gorgeous downtown, although there aren’t as many services as you’d think. S-tier views with Cape Blomidon! Close to (with transit options) big box New Minas and regional hub Kentville.
CHMA called up MacDougall to hear about what inspired his list:
Sackville Active Living director Matt Pryde says that while the town does not yet have a formal active transportation plan, “the municipality does to a lot to promote active transportation” including installing bike racks and maintaining a trail system designed to provide transportation links to different parts of town. The town also recently amended its bylaws to allow for use of skateboards and roller blades on town streets.
Pryde also says that “crosswalks and sidewalks are constantly being evaluated and improved to encourage pedestrian safety so that residents will feel that active transportation is a safe alternative to cars.”
