Corey Pierce

Despite crowded, chronically underfunded public transit and a climate that’s less than ideal for cycling, Calgarians have been moving towards more eco-friendly commuting methods. Fifty-five per cent bike, walk or take transit to work, compared with less than 40 per cent a decade ago.

This isn’t necessarily because the city or employers are supporting sustainable modes of transportation though. Colleen McCracken of Sustainable Calgary feels people are looking to alternatives because driving is too expensive and traffic too heavy. “I am not sure if the city can take credit for this in their policies,” she says, “but I think people are changing, and it’s up to the city to catch up to that change.”

Indeed, the City of Calgary has encouraged increased auto travel through significant investment in new roads, road widenings and overpasses. According to Sustainable Calgary, 61 per cent of the city’s transportation budget has been directed towards roads and enhancing motorists’ convenience.

Without adequate investment in public transit, cycling or pedestrian amenities, the results for our city have been more urban sprawl, greenhouse gases and vehicle dependence. McCracken suggests the city needs to invest more in expanding transit routes and making the city more pedestrian- and cyclist-friendly.

Businesses also need to rethink benefits in order to encourage sustainable commuting. Job perks such as free parking and mileage allowances have served to encourage Calgarians to drive to work. This, despite evidence that public transit and active commuting (biking or walking) reduce greenhouse gas emissions, decrease travel time, increase monetary savings, ease traffic flow and improve the health and well-being of commuters.

Some companies are implementing rewards for employees who commute as part of a total compensation package.

Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) has a comprehensive plan for supporting sustainable transportation. Its store locations across the country are selected to be central and close to bike routes and public transportation — just like the downtown Calgary location. As a matter of policy, the company does not provide parking for employees.

MEC has onsite showers, bike storage facilities and bike tools for employees. The company also supports community initiatives through its Urban Sustainability Grants Program and by providing a parking stall to one of Calgary Alternative Transportation Co-operative’s (CATCO) shared cars. Nationally, MEC won top spot in the commuter challenge.

Meanwhile, many IT firms, like IBM, are realizing the benefits of allowing employees to telecommute. A study published last month in the journal of Applied Psychology studied data on 12,833 telecommuters. The researchers found telecommuting increases job satisfaction and morale, and decreases stress. Cutting the commute right out of work has clear benefits for the environment, and without an office, financial benefits for corporations are also making telecommuting a growing trend.

Building new kinds of perks like telecommute options, bicycle facilities and subsidized or paid-for public transit are helping employers differentiate themselves in a competitive job market.

Some employers, like Climate Change Central, offer employees a combination of options to make green commuting a viable option. As part of its mandate to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Climate Change Central has onsite showers, pays for public transportation for its employees and offers telecommuting options.

With or without the support of government and businesses, avid, sustainable commuters are increasing awareness in their own way. Critical Mass groups across the world meet monthly to ride bicycles as an assertion of cyclists’ right to use roadways. The Calgary group meets on the last Friday of each month at Eau Claire Market. While the attendees vary from just a handful to a few dozen, participation is likely to grow.

park it in favour of a more sustainable commute

• Ask your employer how the company supports sustainable commuters.

• Save your transit pass come tax time.

• Recruit others and create a green team at the office.

• Check out icebike.org for tips on winter cycling.

• Tell your alderman you want more funding for public transit and to make the city bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly. Ask how he/she commutes to City Hall.