Canada takes Green at the Vancouver Olympics

Photo: WordPress - Cloutier39

With the games half way through, it’s looking like Canadians will end up with more green than gold. So far, the immense task of moving athletes, spectators and the rest of the more than 2.5 million residents in the lower mainland during the “green” Vancouver Olympics has been a remarkeable showcase of sustainable transportation. Starting more transit service and strict parking restrictions, VANOC went a step further with the TravelSmart initiative.

This was a public outreach campaign in the lead up to the Olympics with the goal of replacing what would normally be personal vehicle trips with transit, ride-sharing, car/vanpooling, biking, or walking. Not to be missed is the TravelSmart Olympic Pledge, a program where employers are encouraged to reduce the number of work trips through teleworking or a modified work week. Maybe the good habits developed during the Olympics Games will lead to more sustainable transportation split over the long term. Just as long as the buses make it up the mountain.