TRAX Trip Reduction Programs: Is the Halifax region ready?

Ahhh….the Maritimes

Ride a frikkin bike? Have you lost yer mind?

The Maritimes: Where the car is sacred

Veneration of the asphalt god

Enter the TRAX Trip Reduction Program

TRAX Trip Reduction Programs TRAX started the TRP’s in 1999 We based the TRPs on the Go Green Choices model Virgin territory: very little discussion of sustainable commuting in the HRM at the time Ten successful (?) TRPs, 5 failed TRPs

What is a ‘successful’ TRP? Contact person ( and ‘champion’) established Endorsement from Tarzan Survey initiated and analyzed A transportation committee Some budget Implementation of incentives Feedback from employees Events where the participation is good, people are keen Follow up survey and presentation of results Program continues without TRAX

Case Study: The NS Department of Environment and Labor

Indoor parking place for one car=sheltered parking for twelve bicycles

The Fleet Vehicle:

The details!

Green transportation info boards Car pool posters wherever possible

“Two Feet”: The Healthy Workplace Program

Case study: CRA= Going nowhere started May pages: 40+ meetings to executive committees, phone calls, e mails (does not include letters), of recorded attempts to move on the TRP still no initial survey

Challenges with CRA Endless bureaucratic red tape!! Theoretical support from senior management, not in practice One employee at CRA doing all the work Constantly trying to “sell” the TRP to the workplace Big events – little promotion No budget

abundant affordable parking

Inconvient parking for bicycles

HRM bike facilities

Bias toward car traffic, against pedestrian traffic

Are successful TRP’s possible in the Halifax region? YES!! High transit ridership; rising and improving ( BRT, ferries, bike plan, bike racks on buses…) Regional Planning shows that high percentage residents want to commute sustainably High pedestrian/ commuter ratio ( second to Victoria!) Recognition that inactive lifestyles are a huge problem Many pleasant walking routes, courteous drivers Bike Plan unanimously supported by our council Supportive mayor, some excellent city staff