Nova Scotia & Abroad
Nova Scotia
Kings Transit offered a 'free ride' to their customers on June 3rd.
To celebrate Clean Air Day 2009, Kings Transit offered free transportation to anyone who wanted to ride the bus. They were trying to raise awareness of alternative forms of transportation and encourage commuters to get out of their single occupant vehicles. Ridership almost doubled!Kentville passes atlantic canada's first anti-idling by-law.
Kentville is paving the way for other municipalities with their Idling Control Bylaw which prioritizes health and the environment over convenience. Supporting over two years of educational efforts, the bylaw allows idling for a maximum of three minutes- more than the 30 seconds required to sufficiently warm-up an engine.
A more bike-friendly HRM.
Thanks are being sent to Roddy MacIntyre, the mastermind and moving force behind the new bike lanes appearing on streets around Halifax. You'll find them on South Park street, Purcell’s Cove Rood, St. Margaret’s Bay Road, Kearney Lake Road, Main Street and Windsor Street. However, the good news doesn't stop there. The Bicycle Blueprint originally designed in 2002 has plans for many more lanes around the city so keep your eyes peeled. Happy cycling!
Idle-free sub-committee.
The Transportation Issues Committee of the Ecology Action Centre now has an Idle-Free Sub-Committee to work on issues related to unnecessary vehicle idling. The committee works in three subject areas: Policy (By-laws, legislation and organizational policy development), Fleets (Working to reduce idling in fleets) and People (Supporting idling reduction with the general public). To get involved contact the EAC today.
Copenhagen vs nova scotia.
Copenhagen has set a goal that 50% of all work and school commutes will be by bicycle by 2015. They are already at 36%. In Nova Scotia, 0.6% of commutes to work are by bike. We can only improve!
Hybrid buses in halifax.
The HRM has partnered with Conserve Nova Scotia to order two hybrid buses that will be delivered in late 2008. This hybrid bus technology will address issues such as emissions and noise generated by conventional diesel buses and will contribute to a cleaner environment.
Casino nova scotia goes idle free.
Casino Nova Scotia is participating in the 'Anti-Idling' campaign in 2008 and will be starting by posting their first 'Anti-Idling' sign in early 2008. Anti-idling information will also be communicated to all employees through a payroll attachment. call 902-496-6675 for more information.
Emergency health services conduct anti-idling campaigns
More info soon.
Check out your neighbourhood's walk score!
Will you need a car in the neighbourhood you're looking to live in?
HRM:
HRMSmartTrip.ca is an online system that provides a method whereby individuals interested in carpooling and/or finding or providing parking spaces may voluntarily contact each other via an online bulletin board. The online carpool and parking space matching system provides a virtual bulletin board available to the general public that allows you as an individual to find and accept carpooling and parking arrangements at your own discretion.
Pictou County:
Alternative transportation plans. For many rural areas like pictou, an aging population is prompting a hard look at what can be done to enable people to get to grocery stores and doctor’s appointments. They are working on expanding their shuttle service, opening the school bus system up to the public, and possibly reinstating rail as a form or transportation.
The Town of Antigonish:
Anti-Idling Policy "This idling policy is only a first step in making our town more environmentally friendly. We plan to pursue other initiatives including a more sustainable procurement policy.” -Brian McNeil, Antigonish Town Clerk, April 14th, 2007.
Town of Kentville:
Anti-Idling Campaign launched January 31st, 2007.
Councillor Wayne Atwater in Kings County wants to ban drive-thrus as part of the Campaign.
Lunenburg County:
12 idle-free zones established by Bluenose Coastal Action Foundation, 2007
Wolfville-Anti-Idling Zones established at schools, 2007; Anti-idling campaign delivered by the Eco-Kings Action Team and the municipality.
Cape Breton Regional Municipality:
ACAP Cape Breton has had an anti-idling campaign in the CBRM since June 2007. Over 100 signs have been sent out, and several busineses and elementary schools have signed on, agreeing to make their properties "Idlle Free." Stay tuned for more develpments and a website.
Halifax Regional Municipality:
Six elementary schools have gone Idle Free since June 2008 in the HRM.
Halifax school buses go idle free!
Stock Transportation, the company that transports students across the Halifax Regional School Board system, is stepping up its partnership with The Children’s Clean Air Network to cut idle-time across its fleet of 263 buses. As a result, the company figures it will easily save $100,000 dollars to its bottom line and eliminate several hundred tons of CO2 and other pollutants.
The Rest of the World
Human Sewage to Power Buses in Norway.
It is available for free in huge quantities, is not owned by Saudi Arabia and it contributes minimally towards climate change. Norway’s capital city is proving that its citizens can contribute to the city’s green credentials without even realizing it.
January 18, 2009 Coca-Cola hybrid fleet will be N.A.’s largest.
Atlanta, Georgia - Coca-Cola has announced it will deploy the largest fleet of hybrid electric delivery trucks in North America, including vehicles in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal. The soft-drink company plans to deploy 185 hybrid electric trucks across Canada and the U.S. in 2009, bringing the total number to 327 hybrid vehicles.
Pay As You Drive Insurance:
SACRAMENTO - Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner today announced that he is making a new, green auto insurance option available for California consumers. Pay-as-you-drive auto insurance is a way for motorists to more accurately pay for the coverage they need, by linking their premium more closely with the number of miles they drive.
2010 electic chevy volt.
The Chevrolet Volt Concept is a plug-in electric car that combines stylish design cues with innovative fuel-saving technologies. For Canadians who typically drive 65 km or less per day, this rechargeable plug in vehicle can cut out trips to the gas station altogether. And when driving more than 65 km, the Volt has a small fuel powered generator that can kick in to recharge the battery and extend your driving range to more than 1,000 km.
Thinking electric.
Norwegian carmaker Think is partnering with two of Silicon Valley’s top venture capital firms to put consumers behind the wheel of an all-electric car. The car would go 110 miles without a charge and cost less than $25,000 brand new by the end of 2009. Dubbed Think City, the two-seater revs up to about 65 miles per hour max, runs on sodium batteries and is 95 percent recyclable, according to Think.
World's only stretch smart car unveiled
The carbonyte Smaaaart is the world's first 17 foot long Smart Car. Powered by it's original 600cc engine, it can still reach speeds of 130 km/hr on the highway! It's design is mainly for promotional purposes and made to resemble a 20:1 scale soda can.
The Bogotá Challenge - car free in colombia.
24 February 2000, Bogotá, Colombia organizes "Sin mi carro en Bogotá" in cooperation with the World Carfree Day Consortium, the world's first large scale "Thursday" CFD project, and launches its Bogotá Challenge to the rest of the world.
Drive into Manhattan? it's going to cost you!
A New York commission has approved a plan to charge $8 to drivers entering Manhattan during peak hours, and put the funding toward public transit. It's pending further approvals.
Green cabs?
EnviroCab drives only hybrids and guarantees you a green ride in Washington.
Want to be cosmopolitan? ride a bike says London, England.
London is likely to become one of the most cycle-friendly places in the world, with a series of two-wheeler superhighways cutting a swath through traffic and congestion to stimulate a 400% increase in the number of people pedalling round the capital by 2025.
Ottawa moves to emulate U.S. on new fuel mileage standards
January 17, 2008: Ottawa will impose new fuel economy standards on auto makers that will match recently enacted U.S. regulations that environmentalists have criticized as being too weak.
Car ads face Co2 warnings
October 24, 2007: proposals for tobacco-style warning messages may be required in all car ads in the European union. "Car manufacturers claim they simply respond to consumer demand, but I believe they use advertising to shape consumer demand," said a Member of European Partliament. "It is time to insist that advertisements give car buyers more details of the fuel economy and emissions performance of vehicles on sale. The information should be upfront and bold, not buried away in the small print."
Wal-Mart on track to cut truck fuel use by 25%.
Cutting the average mpg by one gallon saves Wal-Mart between $35 million and $50 million a year. Wal-Mart’s fleet of about 7,200 semitractor-trailer trucks is 15 percent more fuel efficient, with a close target of 25% by 2009. The annual savings in carbon dioxide is equal to taking 67,744 cars off the road. The 15% gain has come mainly from: A fuel additive mix, more fuel-efficient tires and small diesel generators called Alternate Power Units added for powering things like heating and air conditioning in the cab, reducing the need to idle.
NO TAX on BIKES
The Ontario government removed provincial sales tax from bicycles, helmets and select bicycle safety equipment effective 1 December. The Bicycle Trade Association of Canada applauds the move.
Transport Canada approves 100% electric car!
The ZENN (zero emissions, no noise) electric "neighbourhood car" has received the National Safety Mark, a legal label that indicates the vehicle meets Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
OSLO — No car can be "green," "clean" or "environmentally friendly"...
According to some of the world's strictest advertising guidelines set to enter into force in Norway next month. "Cars cannot do anything good for the environment except less damage than others," Bente Oeverli, a senior official at the office of the state-run Consumer Ombudsman.
Ikea's anti-idling program and hybrid preferential parking spots.
Drivers of hybrid cars can expect to get a plum parking spot at Ikea stores in Canada thanks to a new program designed to reward green consumers.
A Breath of Fresh Air: MDI Makes World's First Air Powered Car.
French automaker MDI has come up with a clever solution that’s affordable and produces zero emissions to boot. How did they do it? The car is powered by air!
Congestion Charging in London, England.
As we have all heard many times, London is one of the worst cities for driving congestion and long wait times. On February 17, 2003 Mayor Ken Livingstone implemented London’s Congestion Charge, hoping to help increase alternative transportation use and decrease London’s traffic woe’s. The city now charges each motorist who enters central London £8 ($16.92CAN) per day. Failure to comply results in a £50 fine. Gutsy moves! Yeah Ken!
New York City Cab : Going Green by 2012.
The New York Cab company, perhaps the biggest cab company in the world, seems to have been bit by the Green bug; and we are all glad for it. Recently Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today announced that the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) will implement new emissions and mileage standards for yellow taxicabs that will lead to a fully hybrid fleet by 2012, and will reduce the carbon emissions of New York City's taxicab and for-hire vehicle fleet by 50% over the next decade. It will also save individual operators an average of $10,000 a year in fuel costs.
The Best Public Transit System: Curitiba, Brazil
From the 1950’s to the 1980’s, as the age of mechanized agriculture drew near, Curitiba Brazil experienced exponential growth rates in population; growing 5.7% every year for thirty years. However in the late 1960’s the government of Curitiba realized that if they did not create an affordable fast and efficient consolidated public transit then they would have a very large traffic problem on their hands. So that’s what they did; and in 1974 implemented their new efficient public transit routes which still run today and is used by approximately 89% of the population.
Introducing the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus Fleet: Good Job BC
With a little help from the Province of British Columbia, and the Canadian government, BC transit is going to purchase 20 hydrogen fuel cell buses and enough hydrogen to run them! The first of the groundbreaking bus fleet is set to arrive mid-2008 with additional buses to follow in 2009.
Manitoba Fleet vehicles use E85 Ethanol in project.
In Manitoba they have decided to switch their fleet vehicles to use E85 ethanol fuel. This is a federally-funded joint project where federal and provincial vehicles will fill up their vehicles at one fueling station, and hopefully the fueling station can spread to accommodate the ethanol friendly vehicles currently on the road in Manitoba.
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