An Olympic-Sized Car Pool

Planners of the 2010 Winter Olympics are discussing ways to encourage Vancouverites to ditch their cars during the games.

1 minute read

October 25, 2007, 11:00 AM PDT

By Michael Dudley


"Vancouver residents may be pressed to leave their cars at home for the two weeks of the 2010 Winter Olympics, says the chief executive officer of the organizing committee.

John Furlong, who seemed bullish about Vancouverites buying into the idea, said yesterday the push for limited car use will be further refined as organizers begin to focus on transportation planning for the 21st Winter Games.

"Is it possible that we would ask people to work with us and leave their cars at home and go to [public transit]? Yes it is," Mr. Furlong told reporters, after a wide-ranging speech to the Vancouver Board of Trade in which he touched frequently on what the public will be able to do to participate in the event. "It's possible we could ask them."

He also said organizers may approach businesses in Canada's third-largest city - already traffic-challenged by the lack of major roads in its confining geography of mountains and water - to rework their hours of operation to ease transportation issues.

Much of the transportation discussion has focused on moving people between Vancouver and Whistler, including issues related to a $600-million upgrade to the Sea to Sky Highway linking the two communities central to the Games.

However, Mr. Furlong's comments focused more on how things might work within the already-congested core of the city."

Thursday, October 18, 2007 in The Globe & Mail

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Aerial view of single-family homes with swimming pools in San Diego, California.

San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule

The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.

March 9, 2025 - Axios

Canadian flag in foreground with blurred Canadian Parliament building in background in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Has President Trump Met His Match?

Doug Ford, the no-nonsense premier of Canada's most populous province, Ontario, is taking on Trump where it hurts — making American energy more expensive.

March 11, 2025 - Toronto Star

Close-up of green ULEZ sign in London, UK.

Study: London ULEZ Rapidly Cleaning up Air Pollution

Expanding the city’s ultra low-emission zone has resulted in dramatic drops in particle emissions in inner and outer London.

March 10, 2025 - Smart Cities World

Burned car and home in Los Angeles after 2019 wildfire.

The Unseen Aftermath: Wildfires’ Lasting Health and Emotional Burden

Wildfires in Los Angeles not only pose immediate physical health risks but also lead to long-term respiratory problems and mental health struggles, underscoring the need for a coordinated public health response to mitigate their lasting effects.

March 16 - UCLA Health

View of Central Park lake with people sitting on lakeside rocks and NYC high-rises in background.

Public Parks as Climate Resilience Tools

Designed with green infrastructure, parks can mitigate flooding, reduce urban heat, and enhance climate resilience, offering cost-effective solutions to environmental challenges while benefiting communities.

March 16 - Grist

Cyclists and a red T train on the Longfellow Bridge in Boston, MA at sunset.

What the Proposed Federal Budget Means for Transit, Rail

The proposed FY 2025 budget keeps spending for public transit and passenger rail essentially the same as in 2024.

March 16 - American Public Transportation Association

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.