From SUV to Vehicle Free

In a province of large trucks and luxury SUVs, being vehicle free is a rarity. But more and more, people are giving up their gas guzzlers and getting on board with alternative transportation.

Sheila Mattila at Climate Change Central is one of those vehicle-free Albertans. “I choose to live close to work, walk to the grocery store and take public transit instead of drive,” says Sheila. “And yes, on those minus 30 days I do sometimes question my choice. But then I remind myself of the important role alternative transportation plays in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and keeping our air clean.”

According to the Carsharing Coop of Edmonton, transportation accounts for an unsightly 45 per cent of an individual’s day to day greenhouse gas emissions. It has also been estimated that it takes 130 trees to produce the amount of oxygen needed to combat the carbon dioxide emitted from a single car each year.

While it’s not always feasible to live near your work, or for that family of four to walk the pampers and pablum home from the supermarket, there are things each of us can do to reduce the number of vehicles on the road and the number of kilometres these vehicles are driven. And as the weather warms up there’s no better time than the present to get out and enjoy some fresh air during your commute.

Walking and Running

Although the slowest forms of alternative transportation, you can’t beat walking and running for cost and ease; especially when all that is required is a pair of shoes.

Cycling and Skating

Biking is one of the most efficient modes of transportation. Choosing to bike instead of drive a six kilometre trip can prevent seven kilograms of pollution from being emitted into the air, figures the World Watch Institute. Not only are cycling and in-line skating great exercise, they are also some of the few wheeled “vehicles” that are emission free. For more information on rules of the road and safety tips visit Bike Sense.

Public Transit

Public transit it a great option for those who have a longer commute or a lower affinity for the outdoors. According to Calgary Transit, one bus can replace an average of 41 cars, and a three-car CTrain can hold enough people to take the equivalent of 545 cars off the road.

Carpooling

By carpooling with someone else who normally drives alone, you will cut your expenses and greenhouse gas emissions in half. To find someone to ride with, visit one of the carpooling sites like carpool.ca.

Car Sharing

Car sharing is an alternative form of car ownership that is short term and community based. Findings from car sharing organizations have shown that each car shared eliminates the purchase and use of at least four vehicles. To learn more about car sharing in Alberta, visit the Carsharing Coop of Edmonton or the Calgary Alternative Transportation Co-operative.