Today in Vancouver, 250,000 people will be playing in the streets - it is Car Free Vancouver Day, and the streets belong to the people! I'm a bit sad to miss the fun, but very pleased to be part of the fun here on Cortes.

I helped to co-found Car Free Vancouver Day in 2005, and since then I have been astounded at the massive shift in consciousness around this subject. The Mayor of Vancouver just dedicated $25 million to bike infrastructure - that is one third of the transportation budget. The recent tragedy in the Gulf of Mexico is a harsh illustration that we need to start putting the brakes on our fossil-fuel addiction. And Car-Free Day is a great way to celebrate our inevitable, and joyful, car-free future.

I realize that everyone's automotive "needs" are different, and that the situation of this rural community is very different from that of our city neighbours. But I am very excited by the awareness here around car-addiction, and pleased by how alternatives are being introduced and embraced.

One truly awesome development is the launch of the CORTES BIKE COLLECTIVE, where you can now build or borrow a bike, or learn how to do your own repairs, and talk about making make the Island more cycle-friendly. Check it! http://www.cortesbikecollective.org

So today, before you "jump in the car", take a moment to think about it - could you walk, bike, or carpool? If you can, you will be doing your little bit to make this paradise just a bit sweeter, and you might just enjoy the trip a little bit more.

Happy Car-Free Day, Cortes Island!

-Carmen