welcome

In this issue we celebrate the bicycle and other sustainable ways to get around, highlight new bold moves to support Vancouver’s cycling community, and celebrate our One Day wonders and Clean Air Day.

One Day is a City of Vancouver initiative that encourages residents to take small actions in their daily lives to use less energy at home and on the move, to help protect the climate, and to make Vancouver the cleanest, greenest, healthiest city in the world.

action of the month

As we saw during the 2010 Winter Games when thousands of Vancouverites were biking to work, cycling is one of the best ways to avoid traffic congestion. Try it out during this year’s Bike to Work Week: May 31 to June 6. Join your workplace team by signing up online. Then track your GHG reductions, kilometres travelled and calories burned. There are even great prizes to be won.

For 10 more days of bike fun, take part in Velopalooza from June 4 to 13.

Actions for drivers can be located in our AutoObesity section below.

AutoObesity

Clogged transportation arteries, bloated carbon footprints, muscular weakness, accidents and malnourished wallets are just a few of the symptoms of the “AutoObesity” plague. Check out the BEST’s new Car Diet and get AutoFit!

You’ve heard ‘em before, but here are a few more suggestions for drivers:

Join or offer a ride using Jack Bell’s Rideshare program if sharing is your thing.
Keep your vehicle in shape, maintain proper tire inflation and avoid idling, are the top ways to reduce emissions from your car.
Share an entire fleet with your neighbours using the Cooperative Auto Network or ZipCar instead of purchasing new wheels. (If your ride is a 1995 model or older, it could qualify for the Scrap-It program).
Let NRCan help you make the most efficient choice if shopping for a new vehicle.

new in your city

On May 6, Vancouver City Council approved a $25-million, two-year plan to improve the City’s bike network, kicking off discussions about a master cycling plan for the next 10 years. Council also reduced parking rates for two-wheeled vehicles such as electric bikes and motorcycles. What a great move leading up to Bike Month.

COMING SOON TO COUNCIL CHAMBERS: Recommendations for new green requirements for renovations on one and two-family homes. If approved, green upgrades will soon be required according to your construction permit value. Learn more and provide feedback at an open house on May 19 from 4 to 7pm at Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street.

In the meantime, here are our two favourite resources for house renovations:
• The City’s new green home renovation guides can help you with the dizzying array of choices involved in a typical renovation by providing hints on materials and strategies to create a home that's healthy, saves money, and is easy on the environment.
• The Province’s LiveSmart BC: Efficiency Incentive Program can pay you up to $4,515 in rebates for your energy-efficiency renovations. This money is from the BC 2010 budget which set aside $35 million in new funding over three years for LiveSmart.

One Day wonders

First, meet Harreson, a One Day reader who wrote to us about his electric scooter. “I love my electric scooter! It's brought fun back into travelling, as well as peace of mind for using an environmentally- friendly mode of transportation. I love gliding along the side streets with almost no noise coming from the e-scooter, which makes for a very low stress ride. Now I usually reserve my car for when I know I will have passengers, when it's a bit too cold or wet for me, when I have big things to transport or to help friends move, or when travelling long distances. I relish the feeling of adding another "No Car Day" in my journal. On average, I have four No Car Days a week (and this is in Vancouver’s wet and cold winter!)”. Thanks Harreson!

Our other wonders are the creators of what’s likely to be the considered the city’s most artsy bike rack, located by Science World. The Solar Bike Tree is part sculpture, part bike rack, part solar powered lamp post. The piece was installed just before the 2010 Winter Games, but will officially be christened by Mayor Robertson during Bike to Work Week on Friday, June 4 at 5:30 pm.

did you know...

…that the City’s One Day One School Program has mapped out “best routes” for students, parents, staff and teachers. These maps point out existing sidewalks, crosswalks, pedestrian signals and traffic signals needed to safely commute between home and school.

know someone...

…whose bike is collecting dust? Forward them this e-mail as a reminder to get geared up for Bike Month.

New readers, sign-up here.

what's happening

Landfill Open House
Jun 5, 9-3:30pm
Come out to the Vancouver Landfill’s 10th annual open house. Fit for the whole family, some of the highlights include: guided bus tours, activities for kids, and information on landfill gas and environmental protection systems.

Sustainability Breakfast
May 20, 7:30-9am
Climate change is a global issue that requires local action. Hear about the successes and challenges experienced by the City of North Vancouver and Vancouver. Learn how Climate Smart and Metro Vancouver have partnered to offer training and tools to reduce GHG emissions for small and medium enterprises. Register online.

Vancouver Solar Days
May 28, 2:30pm
The solar community of Vancouver is holding a ribbon cutting ceremony and tour of the Stanley Park Brockton Oval Solar Hot Water installation. The ceremony and tour is one of many events running over the two-day solar celebration.

Apps for Climate Action Contest
July 15
Canadian software developers are being challenged to create new applications for the web and mobile devices that will raise awareness of climate change and inspire carbon reduction. Contest rules online.

Zero Waste Conference
May 25-27
Whistler
Looking into the future, the majority of BC's solid waste could be divided into two streams: organics managed by local government and consumer-related materials; managed through extended producer responsibility programs. Register online.

Clean Air Day
Jun 2
Join this celebration of environmentally-friendly activities and promote clean air and good health across Canada. Find out what’s happening in your neighbourhood.

CaGBC Conference
Jun 8-10
This event features over 60 speakers and eight different program streams. Topics range from building performance measurements, verification and reporting, LEED Canada updates, case studies, and information on new Council programs. Register online.

Summer Farmers Markets
May – October
Celebrate fresh food at these festive gatherings. By supporting these healthy food networks, you’ll help to keep BC farmers farming.

Bike Maintenance Workshop
May – July
Local community centres
Participants learn how to do a basic inspection, fix a flat tire, clean and oil their bike, check their brakes and gears, and a few other tricks.

Check out the One Day events calendar for more sustainability related events happening in and around Vancouver.

in the media

UBC and City of Vancouver partner to reach Greenest City goals
IBM's CityOne Is Like Sim City, except the solutions are real
Vancouver scores a first with fair trade status
City’s curbside composting program starts on Earth Day
Vancouver building code an example for Toronto
Cyclists: Do you know the rules of the road? Take our quiz
Vancouver driven to reallocate road space

Check out the One Day media section for more climate change related news.


May 2010 Hello! welcome In this issue we celebrate the bicycle and other sustainable ways to get around, highlight new bold moves to support Vancouver’s cycling community, and celebrate our One Day wonders and Clean Air Day. One Day is a City of Vancouver initiative that encourages residents to take small actions in their daily lives to use less energy at home and on the move, to help protect the climate, and to make Vancouver the cleanest, greenest, healthiest city in the world. action of the month As we saw during the 2010 Winter Games when thousands of Vancouverites were biking to work, cycling is one of the best ways to avoid traffic congestion. Try it out during this year’s Bike to Work Week: May 31 to June 6. Join your workplace team by signing up online. Then track your GHG reductions, kilometres travelled and calories burned. There are even great prizes to be won. For 10 more days of bike fun, take part in Velopalooza from June 4 to 13. Actions for drivers can be located in our AutoObesity section below. AutoObesity Clogged transportation arteries, bloated carbon footprints, muscular weakness, accidents and malnourished wallets are just a few of the symptoms of the “AutoObesity” plague. Check out the BEST’s new Car Diet and get AutoFit! You’ve heard ‘em before, but here are a few more suggestions for drivers: Join or offer a ride using Jack Bell’s Rideshare program if sharing is your thing. Keep your vehicle in shape, maintain proper tire inflation and avoid idling, are the top ways to reduce emissions from your car. Share an entire fleet with your neighbours using the Cooperative Auto Network or ZipCar instead of purchasing new wheels. (If your ride is a 1995 model or older, it could qualify for the Scrap-It program). Let NRCan help you make the most efficient choice if shopping for a new vehicle. new in your city On May 6, Vancouver City Council approved a $25-million, two-year plan to improve the City’s bike network, kicking off discussions about a master cycling plan for the next 10 years. Council also reduced parking rates for two-wheeled vehicles such as electric bikes and motorcycles. What a great move leading up to Bike Month. COMING SOON TO COUNCIL CHAMBERS: Recommendations for new green requirements for renovations on one and two-family homes. If approved, green upgrades will soon be required according to your construction permit value. Learn more and provide feedback at an open house on May 19 from 4 to 7pm at Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street. In the meantime, here are our two favourite resources for house renovations: • The City’s new green home renovation guides can help you with the dizzying array of choices involved in a typical renovation by providing hints on materials and strategies to create a home that's healthy, saves money, and is easy on the environment. • The Province’s LiveSmart BC: Efficiency Incentive Program can pay you up to $4,515 in rebates for your energy-efficiency renovations. This money is from the BC 2010 budget which set aside $35 million in new funding over three years for LiveSmart. One Day wonders First, meet Harreson, a One Day reader who wrote to us about his electric scooter. “I love my electric scooter! It's brought fun back into travelling, as well as peace of mind for using an environmentally- friendly mode of transportation. I love gliding along the side streets with almost no noise coming from the e-scooter, which makes for a very low stress ride. Now I usually reserve my car for when I know I will have passengers, when it's a bit too cold or wet for me, when I have big things to transport or to help friends move, or when travelling long distances. I relish the feeling of adding another "No Car Day" in my journal. On average, I have four No Car Days a week (and this is in Vancouver’s wet and cold winter!)”. Thanks Harreson! Our other wonders are the creators of what’s likely to be the considered the city’s most artsy bike rack, located by Science World. The Solar Bike Tree is part sculpture, part bike rack, part solar powered lamp post. The piece was installed just before the 2010 Winter Games, but will officially be christened by Mayor Robertson during Bike to Work Week on Friday, June 4 at 5:30 pm. did you know... …that the City’s One Day One School Program has mapped out “best routes” for students, parents, staff and teachers. These maps point out existing sidewalks, crosswalks, pedestrian signals and traffic signals needed to safely commute between home and school.	know someone... …whose bike is collecting dust? Forward them this e-mail as a reminder to get geared up for Bike Month. New readers, sign-up here. what's happening Landfill Open House Jun 5, 9-3:30pm Come out to the Vancouver Landfill’s 10th annual open house. Fit for the whole family, some of the highlights include: guided bus tours, activities for kids, and information on landfill gas and environmental protection systems. Sustainability Breakfast May 20, 7:30-9am Climate change is a global issue that requires local action. Hear about the successes and challenges experienced by the City of North Vancouver and Vancouver. Learn how Climate Smart and Metro Vancouver have partnered to offer training and tools to reduce GHG emissions for small and medium enterprises. Register online. Vancouver Solar Days May 28, 2:30pm The solar community of Vancouver is holding a ribbon cutting ceremony and tour of the Stanley Park Brockton Oval Solar Hot Water installation. The ceremony and tour is one of many events running over the two-day solar celebration. Apps for Climate Action Contest July 15 Canadian software developers are being challenged to create new applications for the web and mobile devices that will raise awareness of climate change and inspire carbon reduction. Contest rules online. Zero Waste Conference May 25-27 Whistler Looking into the future, the majority of BC's solid waste could be divided into two streams: organics managed by local government and consumer-related materials; managed through extended producer responsibility programs. Register online. Clean Air Day Jun 2 Join this celebration of environmentally-friendly activities and promote clean air and good health across Canada. Find out what’s happening in your neighbourhood. CaGBC Conference Jun 8-10 This event features over 60 speakers and eight different program streams. Topics range from building performance measurements, verification and reporting, LEED Canada updates, case studies, and information on new Council programs. Register online. Summer Farmers Markets May – October Celebrate fresh food at these festive gatherings. By supporting these healthy food networks, you’ll help to keep BC farmers farming. Bike Maintenance Workshop May – July Local community centres Participants learn how to do a basic inspection, fix a flat tire, clean and oil their bike, check their brakes and gears, and a few other tricks. Check out the One Day events calendar for more sustainability related events happening in and around Vancouver. in the media UBC and City of Vancouver partner to reach Greenest City goals IBM's CityOne Is Like Sim City, except the solutions are real Vancouver scores a first with fair trade status City’s curbside composting program starts on Earth Day Vancouver building code an example for Toronto Cyclists: Do you know the rules of the road? Take our quiz Vancouver driven to reallocate road space Check out the One Day media section for more climate change related news.