How i-go?

Get active. Be healthy. Protect the region you love. I-go.

Believe that your choices do make a difference. By using your vehicle less and making choices to include active transportation into your daily routines, you are having a positive impact on your health and our community. Even if you choose to leave your vehicle at home just once a week, you are making a difference.

What’s more is that you are an example to those around you and a motivator that encourages them to make similar choices. As more people learn about the benefits of active transportation, our world will become a better and happier place.

So take the first step, try something different and discover a new freedom from your vehicle. Smell the roses, listen to the birds singing, and feel the breeze blowing. Enjoy the outdoors and knowing that you are helping the environment, improving your health, and making a difference.

Here are some tips:

• For distances up to five kilometers, ride your bicycle. For short distances, cycling is the fastest mode of transportation from door to door.
• Try walking, cycling, or in-line skating for those short trips like to the park or store.
• Arrange carpools so that there are less vehicles going to the same destination (check out www.carpool.ca).
• Take transit to work or school a couple of times a week – every little bit helps (check out www.busonline.ca).
• Use an alternative form of transportation one day a week and you will reduce your vehicle emissions by 20%.
• Plant trees to help produce more oxygen and break down pollutants.

If you must own a vehicle there are certain things that you can do to make it more environmentally friendly:

• Buy a newer fuel-efficient vehicle.
• Keep car tires properly inflated in order to reduce fuel consumption.
• Get your engine serviced regularly to ensure pollution control devices are operating efficiently.
• Organize your errands so that you can do everything in as few trips as possible.
• Don’t overfill your gas tank as this helps prevent gas leaks which contribute to air pollution.
• Slow down when you drive. By reducing your speed from 120 to 100 kilometers per hour you can reduce fuel consumption by 20%.
• Turn off your engine if you are waiting somewhere for more than 10 seconds to prevent idling.

However, trying to cut down on your vehicle addiction is the best way to help our environment and improve our air quality.

Finally, be sure to voice your support for active transportation, sidewalks, public transit, bike lanes and open space. Contact local politicians and let them know what kind of community you want to live in.