Idle Not, Vancouver

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Idle Not Vancouver

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Idle not, Vancouverites. After a six-month education and awareness campaign, Vancouver’s Idle-free Bylaw is now being enforced by the City and the cost of sitting with the engine running is going to be high.

Parking enforcement staff are issuing tickets for any parked vehicles found idling for more than three minutes. Violators will incur fines of $50 (basic violation) or $100 (heavy trucks and unattended vehicles).

Vancouver City Council enacted the Idle-free Bylaw on July 18, 2006. It was accompanied by community engagement initiatives (at businesses and schools), and an educational/awareness campaign involving radio, print, and outdoor advertising. An idle-free hotline was also established (604.257.2404), and citizens were encouraged to call this number to report repeat offenders and problem locations.

The goal of the Idle-free Bylaw is to:
• protect air quality
• reduce greenhouse gas emissions
• reduce urban noise
• reduce vehicle theft
• save money on fuel.

The enforcement campaign will continue to include an educational component in the form of flyers, signs and posters. Also, in 2007 the City is looking to partner with the local construction industry to ensure full awareness of the Idle-free Bylaw.

The City is launching other low-carbon driving initiatives such as: tire-inflation awareness; encouraging fuel efficient maintenance habits, promoting best practices for fleet operators, and supporting market uptake for new engine technologies and fuel solutions. These efforts are in support of a Council mandate to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by six per cent from 1990 levels by 2012 approved in March 2005.

For more information:
Brian Beck
Project Manager, Community Vehicles Fuels and Efficiencies
City of Vancouver Sustainability Group
604.871.6542
Idlefree.ca