Transportation

Reducing Transportation Emissions & Moving Beyond the Car

Climate Action Strategies:

Big Move 2: Shift beyond the car
Big Move 3: Decarbonize transportation

Did you know vehicle transportation accounts for more than half of community emissions? We can make major progress on climate action by shifting beyond the car and using low-carbon vehicles. Choosing alternative ways to get around improves health and wellbeing and can save money. From better public transit to bike lanes, carpooling, and electric vehicles, the District is working to lower transportation emissions in ways that meet the needs of a growing and diverse community.

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What We Are Doing

Community Planning: Smart Growth Neighbourhood Incentive

Neighbourhood design has a large impact on our carbon footprint because where we live affects our housing choices and how we get around. The Smart Growth Neighbourhood Incentive supports limited increased residential density in specific Neighbourhood Nodes.

Together, the Core Transit Network and Neighbourhood Node Incentive System, incentivize developers to add more density in exchange for contributing to an amenity fund. Incentives apply to lots within 400 m walking distances of bus stops along the Core Transit Network include Dentville, Northyards, Mamquam and Garibaldi Highlands. An additional category is available for lots in Brackendale and Valleycliffe.

We need 3500 people and jobs per square kilometer within 400 meter walking distance of a transit stop to operate pubic transit every 15 minutes.

Promoting people-powered transportation

Walking, rolling, cycling are zero-emission ways to get around that have the added benefit of improving health and wellbeing. Guided by the Transportation Master Plan, the District of Squamish is expanding bike lanes, trail networks, and walkways to make it safer and easier to travel around town without a car.

Expanding transit service

Public transit is a great, low-cost, all-season way for people to get around. Squamish is continuing to expand the local transit system in partnership with BC Transit and working with neighbouring communities and the Province to create transit connections to Whistler, Vancouver, and beyond. In partnership with neighbouring communities and First Nations, the District continues to advocate for regional transit throughout the Sea-to-Sky Corridor.

Supporting Electric Vehicles

Squamish supports the shift to EVs and had one of Canada’s fastest-growing adoption rates in 2022. The District continues to expand public EV charging stations and works with CleanBC and BC Hydro to support available rebates and incentives.

Carpooling, Carsharing & Ridesharing

Reducing the number of gas vehicles on the road is also possible through carpooling and ridesharing. Born in Squamish, the Poparide mobile app is a popular tool for finding rides. MODO carsharing service and has several convenient car locations throughout town.

Learn more about carsharing and ridesharing.

Evolve E-bike sharing program

Launched in 2025, the Evolve e-bike sharing program offers 75 bikes distributed across 17 locations throughout Squamish, making short trips easier without a car.

Actions You Can Take

Leave your car at home (try starting with walking or rolling for just a couple of trips a week)
Try out transit (it's free on weekends every summer)
Take part in carpooling and ridesharing
Participate in the MODO car share and Evolve E-Bike programs
Consider a low-emission or Zero Emission Vehicle for your next vehicle purchase (and still leave it at home when possible)