2012 10 02 TravelSmart North Shore Encourages Everyone To Take

MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release
Oct. 2, 2012
TravelSmart North Shore encourages everyone to take one fewer car trip each week.
This fall, the District of West Vancouver and the City and District of North Vancouver are partnering with
the TravelSmart Program to bring you TravelSmart North Shore, which encourages everyone to get out
of the car once a week to enjoy our community by walking, cycling and taking transit.
Visit travelsmart.ca/northshore and take a ‘pledge’ for one less car trip a week. West Vancouver Mayor,
Michael Smith, District of North Vancouver Mayor, Richard Walton and City of North Vancouver Mayor,
Darrell Mussatto kick-started the program by each making a pledge on October 1.
“Pledging to be TravelSmart doesn’t have to mean significant changes to your lifestyle,” said District of
West Vancouver Mayor, Michael Smith. “One less weekly car trip could be as simple as carpooling to a
soccer game or combining errands together instead of making separate trips. There are a many different
ways that we can improve our personal health and the health of the environment, and the small things
can add up.”
North Vancouver District Mayor, Richard Walton, agrees. “North Shore residents are already leaders in
sustainability. It’s part of what draws us to live here and our residents already make thousands of
walking and cycling trips every day. This initiative is about building on that success—driving a bit less and
being even more active.”
The TravelSmart program was launched over a year ago in Metro Vancouver and it encourages residents
to make more sustainable travel choices—specifically walking, cycling and taking transit. The program’s
vision is to slow the need for ever-growing road infrastructure and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
in the region.
“If everyone on the North Shore could reduce their vehicle travel by just one trip per week, it would
make a big difference in terms of traffic congestion and air quality in our communities,” says Mayor
Darrell Mussatto, City of North Vancouver. “Carpooling, cycling, walking and taking transit are all
options for us at different times. We’re encouraging as many people as possible to join us in taking the
pledge.”
The program will also be reaching out to area schools throughout the year, as well as to programs that
help seniors with transportation challenges and that help new Canadians become more familiar with
their transportation options. Visit travelsmart.ca/northshore for more information.
-30-
Media Contacts
TravelSmart – Derek Zabel, 604-512-0701
District of North Vancouver – Jeanine Bratina, 604-990-2459
District of West Vancouver – Jeff McDonald, 604-925-4736
City of North Vancouver – Connie Rabold, 604-983-7383
About the TravelSmart Program
TravelSmart is the regional transportation demand management program for Metro Vancouver. Fully
supported by TransLink, TravelSmart’s objective is to encourage sustainable transportation choices
through public education, outreach programs and incentives.
2