Park Your Carbon
Small Change. Big Impact.
Want to try a different way of getting around? How about a healthy option, one that can save you some money and even be fun? You can reduce carbon pollution in Vermont and impact worldwide climate change. Park Your Carbon is an initiative to help change Vermonters’ transportation and commuting habits by encouraging green ways of travel. Try it for a day, a week, or make it an ongoing habit. Bike. Walk. Share Your Ride. Bus. Work From Home. The 2023 Park Your Carbon week is May 15th-19th!
Bike. Walk. Share Your Ride. Bus. Work From Home.
changing Vermonters’ transportation and commuting habits.
As Vermonters experience more of the inconvenient truth of climate change, we have the opportunity and responsibility to share in the solutions. Your individual actions add up greatly in the long run. Sharing your ride, taking the bus, biking, and walking are just the start of a greener future that you create. So try a new way of getting to work (or working from home), going to school, the store—or any of your daily activities.
Why Participate?
The number one contributor of carbon pollution in Vermont is transportation (over 40%) and the majority is from people driving alone.
Vermont’s new climate plan requires we meet net zero carbon emissions by 2050. There are so many benefits beyond the urgent need for our world. You can reduce congestion on Vermont’s roadways, downtown parking spots, and at pickup time in front of your child’s school. People powered modes like biking and walking are great for physical and mental health, and taking the bus or ridesharing save enormous amounts of money compared to driving yourself in your own car. A big reason to do something now is for your children, their children, and future generations.
Better Ways of Getting Around Vermont.
BIKE
Riding a bicycle is a great way to get around town, squeeze in your exercise for the day, and save a lot of carbon pollution while enjoying the fresh air. Most towns are building bike paths and bike lanes, and you can even take your bike on the bus! Choices abound for any budget and bike style – have fun!
WALK
There are many benefits to ditching the car, like walking to work, school or even to catching the bus. It’s good for your mental and physical health, like losing a few pounds. Humans are designed to go much longer distances than we often would consider. Try it, you’ll be glad you did. Did we say it’s free too!
Walk
SHARE A RIDE
Carpool to work and school or with friends to concerts and outings. Save two or three times the carbon pollution and expenses then riding separately. Less wear and tear on your cars and a great way to make friends and actually have fun going to work!
COMMUTER CO-OP
This is not your father’s vanpool! With this program the State of Vermont provides a new SUV or van and you and your commuter group (people you work with or people from your town headed to the same general area). It’s just a modest money fee and you and your co-workers or friends have a better way to go!
BUS
Taking the bus has never been easier and now, most local buses are fare free. It’s a great way to reduce the cost and environmental impact of your commute. Most even have bike racks so you can really leave the car at home. With Vermont’s regional bus lines and city-to city buses you can get almost anywhere you want to go.
WORK FROM HOME
We have all learned that many jobs can be done from home. With new technology it can benefit employers and workers and their families. Just think of the time saved on the road commuting alone – hundreds of hours depending on the number of days and distance. Every car trip not taken equals pollution not created!
OTHER MODES
Be creative and open to any alternative to single-occupancy car travel. You could jog to work, unicycle, skateboard – and don’t forget new options for e-bikes, e-scooters or electric cars. You choose – and have fun, save money, get healthy and help reverse the detrimental effects of global climate change.
A Little History.
Back in the 90’s there was a day to trying different ways of commuting called “Curb Your Car.” After that, for nearly two decades, the Way To Go! Transportation Challenge has inspired thousands of Vermonters to travel green. It was done by recruiting businesses, schools and all Vermonters to reduce their carbon footprint by trying different forms of transportation. So much has changed in our thinking and urgency around this challenge in recent years. We now have e-bikes, new walking paths, ridesharing, and options for electric cars and trucks. Vermont’s local and city-to-city bus systems are dependable and safe ways to travel and only getting better, providing many options and access for all to get around.
Plan Your Trip
Find rides for your daily commute, to the doctor’s, or even your favorite ski resort. Our trip planner will show you carpools, transit, biking, and walking directions. Visit Trip Planner »
Track My Bus
Tracking your bus is easy and free. Transit is a real-time bus locator and trip planning tool. Find Out More »
Get Rewarded!
Earn restaurant coupons, retailer discounts and tickets to shows & attractions when you choose greener travel options like carpool, vanpool, bus, bike or telecommute. It’s free and easy to do!