I was at today's Commuter Challenge kickoff at Eau Claire - a great location right next to the river pathway system. Sustainable Alberta director Kathryn Winkler led the meeting that starts next week's challenge. Joining her on the podium to speak to the attendees were Alderman Brian Pincott, Shane Savard from TransCanada PipeLines, Helene Weir from YMCA, and a managemente rep from MTS Allstream (I didn't get the name).

Brian Pincott made a strong pitch for all of us that are interested in sustainable transportation to please visit the PlanIT Calgary website, view the plans, and comment to the City on these plans. Of great importance to us, the plans is to completely overturn the current hierarchy in transportation, and in the future place peds & bikes at the top, followed by public transit, next by carpool vehicles, and at the bottom: single-occupant cars. Another feature of PlanIT Calgary is endorsement of the Complete Streets concept, in which all streets should be designed for all users, including peds & bikes; too many of our streets do not take into consideration anything except cars.

The City absolutely needs to hear your support for this concept. At the moment all they're heading is the angry cries of car addicts worried they'll have to change their ways. Write them (even a paragraph) before June 11th, and attend the special Public Hearing on June 23rd.