In honour of World Car Free Day tomorrow, make a pledge to leave your car at home for the day. Imagine what Halifax could look and feel like with fewer (or no) cars on the road.
Anyone living in Nova Scotia is aware of residents’ reliance on automobiles to get around. Studies have indicated that reliance is a leading contributor to increased rates of physical inactivity and chronic disease.
In addition to these health concerns, rising gas prices have created a financial barrier to transportation. The need for sustainable, affordable transportation is growing.
The Ecology Action Centre has released statistics that indicate 27 per cent of Nova Scotia’s greenhouse gas emissions are emitted from the transportation sector (including passenger and freight movement).
To encourage sustainable transport, the FUSION Halifax Sustainability Action Team will be out rewarding individuals who are using alternative forms of transit tomorrow. The team will be set up outside the Spring Garden Road Public Library from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
As part of its effort, the group intends on using the day’s activities to highlight the need (and appetite) for more bike lanes in the city. One of the most common reasons Haligonians give for not taking their bike is the lack of safe places to ride.
To get a better idea of where Haligonians want to be able to ride, the sustainability team will be asking people where they’d like to have new (or incremental) bike lanes in the city. By participating, you can lend your support to the group’s initiative to improve the number of bike lanes.
The lack of alternative transportation options to easily (and quickly) move across the city has become a growing barrier for people using alternative transportation to get to a job, access education, health-care, and social opportunities.
Car Free Day reminds us we should all be seeking ways to decrease our reliance on our automobiles. From carpooling with a colleague or neighbour, to taking the bus or walking (even a few days each week), we can dramatically decrease our emissions and, in some cases, even improve our health.
So hang up your car keys tomorrow and head to work using a form of alternative transportation. I’ll see you on the sidewalk.
Christina Biluk is Director of Engagement for FUSION Halifax. Visit FUSIONHalifax.ca to find out how to get involved in shaping our city; theurbanscrawl@gmail.com.
