move like a local
move like a local.
time to rediscover your city on two feet (or two wheels).
When we think of “living like a local,” movement isn’t always the first thing that comes to mind. But how we move through our days says a lot about how connected we are to the places we live. Do we hop in the car for every errand, or do we give ourselves the chance to experience our city at a slower pace — on foot, bike or, frankly, anything that feels more intentional.
My Lunchtime Experiment
This past August, I set myself a simple challenge: no car at lunch. At first, it felt inconvenient as I never viewed my hometown as a walkable/bikeable city. Then I pulled my dad’s old bike out of the garage, and everything shifted.
Suddenly, places that felt “too far” to walk were surprisingly close. A five-minute drive to my parents’ house turned into a ten-minute bike ride. A quick errand became a refreshing stroll. I was moving more, but it didn’t feel like exercise I had to check off my list. It was just living my regular life.
Movement as Belonging
What struck me most was how this small change made me feel more rooted in my community. I noticed side streets I’d never explored, caught bits of conversation at crosswalks, and felt the breeze instead of the blast of car AC. My lunch hour shifted from screen time to sunshine, and I came back to work less stressed, more focused, and happier.
The health benefits are obvious — more steps, more sunlight, less stress — but the deeper gift was perspective. By moving differently, I was experiencing my city differently.
If we don’t give ourselves a moment to step outside the status quo transport in our cities, it becomes much harder to imagine what they could be if city planning put health at the forefront. So I offer you this challenge: make it your own. How can you rediscover your city on two feet (or two wheels)?
A Local Way of Moving
That’s what Move Like a Local is all about: reimagining daily movement as a way to connect with your environment. Even if biking to work isn’t realistic, maybe biking at lunch is. Even if your city isn’t designed with perfect walkability, there are still ways to weave movement into your routines
walking the long way to grab coffee
parking a 10 minute walk away from where you are meeting your friends for dinner
walking to your grocery store on the weekend
As the cooler weather approaches, this task may seem even more daunting — but we aren’t the only place in the world with cold weather. Winter is simply part of life here, and it’s always struck me how much Canadians fight the season instead of embracing it. Keep a pair of warm walking boots at work, an extra toque and mitts, and some cozy pants in your car so a winter walk can become part of your regular day. You might be surprised how your attitude may change about the colder months.
And when it comes to the bigger picture, remember: the cities we live in are shaped by the people we elect. If you want a community that makes walking and biking easier, healthier, and safer, make sure your voice is heard at the polls.
Because living like a local isn’t just about being somewhere. It’s about moving through it in a way that feels human.