Even if we are aware of the environmental issues most of us feel we need our cars. In some sense this deep-felt conviction is true. Our cities are planned and built with the assumption of car ownership for all. Shopping malls, offices, public buildings and recreational facilities are all built with cars in mind. It is universally assumed that consumers provide their own transportation.
People can and do choose to cycle rather than drive, but it requires dedication to commute by bike.
Those willing to risk riding in traffic must breathe exhaust. Alberta cities have wonderful facilities for recreational cycling, but are not generally set up to provide efficient transportation routes. Cyclists use pathways and bikeways for commuting, but cycling is not considered a serious commuting option. For example, Calgary Parks and Recreation, the department responsible for bike paths, does not have the funds to keep the paths clear of snow. It is clear the department only recently began to consider cycling as a commuting option.