Getting around: alternative transportation in Vancouver

Climate change is a direct result of the choices we may on a daily basis in regards to getting from point a to point b. Fortunately, for many of us in Vancouver, this is an easy issue to be proactive about. You could consider walking, biking or using public transit, at least a few days a week. If everyone used alternative transportation for even one day a week, imagine the improvements to air quality, trafffic snarls and available parking!

Did you know that BC Transit (Coast Mountain Bus Company) operates hydrogen celled buses? 

Maybe you can carpool with a friend? The Lower Mainland encourages carpooling and shared rides with Higher Occupant Vehicle (HOV) lanes.

You should certainly consider fuel consumption as a major factor in the choice of your next vehicle. Did you know that an electric car is manufactured closeby in Delta called Dynasty Electric Car Corp? Did you know that there is a biodiesel co-op in Vancouver?

Another option would be to join the local car co-op, (CAN) which has cars all over your neighbourhood, just waiting for you to use.

You’ll never get tired of the same thing when you consider all of these alternatives to driving.

You could use an electric scooter, motorcycle or skateboard from the Vancouver-based company Electric Coast;

You could walk or bike to work and save money on gas and parking while improving your cardiovascular health and reducing your risk of obesity (there are lots of bike groups, recycling centres and even a local manufacturer!)

Maybe you could convince your boss to let you work from home? Investigate the option of telecommuting from home instead of going into work 5 days a week; or

Lobby the municipal government to increase spending on sidewalks and bike lanes.

With little to no cost, these improvements can pay huge dividends in decreased traffic and pollution, not to mention your health.