Adrienne Beattie is a Calgary-born writer who has covered urban issues since 2001 and has an English degree from the University of Calgary.

Hybrids gaining steam

June 28, 2010

It looks like Calgary Transit is toying with the idea of adding a hybrid bus to its fleet.

Pedal away those barriers to cycling

June 21, 2010

I wrote about cycling for the commuter challenge and mentioned my wariness about cycling on city streets. A reader responded, challenged my fears and suggested I write a follow-up piece geared towards newbie cyclists: Here it is.

Slashing transit budget a short-sighted solution

June 07, 2010

Some Calgary Transit riders will face reduced or eliminated service this month. A progressive city should be growing its public transit, not reducing it — but we did ask for this in a roundabout way when we demanded lower property taxes.

E-bikes could meet the commuter challenge

May 31, 2010

This week, Canadians are being asked to get to work without driving solo. My commute is a little more than 40-kilometre round trip — an inconvenient haul on transit, too far to cycle and I can’t find anyone committed to carpooling. So I called the folks at Green City Motors, got hooked up with an electric bicycle and found my answer to the commuter challenge.

We need leadership to shift our attitudes

May 17, 2010

It’s been almost a month since BP’s Deepwater Horizon rig exploded and sank in the Gulf of Mexico, causing an estimated 790,000 to four million litres of oil to gush into the water each day since. Some have suggested a moratorium be placed on offshore development.

Déjà vu all over again on transit announcments

May 10, 2010

Politicians should spend more time addressing transportation issues and less time milking photo ops. 

When it comes to transit, the kids aren't alright

May 03, 2010

The results are in and Calgary’s youth have given our city an abysmal grade for transportation.

Calgarians urged to Limit Your Speed

April 26, 2010

I must not be the only one with a heavy foot because the Limit Your Speed campaign has located 14 of these signs throughout the city.

Bill 16 — better late than never

April 19, 2010

The long-awaited distracted driver legislation introduced this month applies to all vehicles and would ban drivers from a long list of sidetracking activities, including using a cellphone.

That’s a lot of hot air

April 12, 2010

Shame, shame Calgary. A recent UN report exposed our city as the fifth-largest producer of greenhouse gas emissions in the world, with each of us sending a whopping 17.7 tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Hiring more officers only part of the solution

April 05, 2010

City hall officials are trying to drum up about $1.3 million to hire 12 new transit officers. Better policing is just part of the solution to transit safety issues though — if the money can even be found.

Put the cool back into carpooling

March 29, 2010

I made a resolution at the beginning of this year — to drive less. And so I’ve jumped on the carpooling wagon. With a few incentives, I think more commuters might jump on, too.

Time to pay up on city cycling plans

March 22, 2010

A commuter bike review has council’s approval with a comprehensive bicycling strategy set to be presented to the land-use, transportation and planning committee by June.

While optimism is good, let's not declare winter's end yet

March 15, 2010

Facebook is abuzz with optimistic Calgarians chirping about the signs of spring; one of my friends even removed his winter tires, reinstalling the all-seasons; and I’ve seen a few sets of pasty white legs strolling along Calgary’s streets.

Bronconnier's transportation legacy

March 08, 2010

Mayor Dave Bronconnier’s recent announcement that he won’t be seeking a fourth term inspired me to reflect on the direction he’s taken transportation in our city.

Transit should be improved, not cut

March 01, 2010

By the end of this month, we’ll know which inner city bus routes will be shortened, altered or eliminated.

We shouldn't hold our breath on Green TRIP funding

February 22, 2010

In its budget announcement earlier this month, the province promised $70 million would finally be paid from the highly touted Green Transit Incentives Program (Green TRIP), but after breaking similar promises since Green TRIP was first unveiled in July 2008, I don’t think we should hold our breath.

A-OK rapid transit for SW

February 15, 2010

Last week council endorsed Ald. Brian Pincott’s proposal that would see a rapid-bus system make public transit a viable solution for Calgarians living in the southwest. With costs for the system tagged at less than a single interchange, here’s hoping this brainchild gets adopted.

A-OK rapid transit for SW

February 15, 2010

Last week council endorsed Ald. Brian Pincott’s proposal that would see a rapid-bus system make public transit a viable solution for Calgarians living in the southwest. With costs for the system tagged at less than a single interchange, here’s hoping this brainchild gets adopted.

Outrage over airport tunnel funding is misplaced

February 08, 2010

Outrage followed when the federal and provincial governments recently announced they will not pay almost $200 million for the airport tunnel proposed to link 96th Ave. N.E. to Airport Trail, but the outrage is misdirected.

More snow removal suggestions

February 01, 2010

It’s taken 15 blown budgets in the past 20 years and a record-breaking season of complaints about winter driving conditions for council to send our snow removal program back to the drawing board. I wonder if we will ever have the mindset to get it right.

Violence on transit becomes a growing concern

January 25, 2010

Navigating the streets of our ever-growing city, blazing trails through a fresh dump of snow or attempting a merge amongst anxious rush hour drivers might not be the most pressing concerns of transit drivers these days. Finishing a shift unscathed, on the other hand, could be.

Is all this surveillance making us safer?

January 18, 2010

Take a walk in the city or ride public transit and you can expect to be caught on camera.

Snowy, slippery sidewalks spur flurry of tickets

January 11, 2010

First it was complaints about snowy, slippery roads. Now it’s a record number of complaints about snowy, slippery sidewalks. It seems this winter, more than any other, has angered Calgarians.

Resolve to reap the rewards of driving less

January 04, 2010

You could resolve to lose weight, get fit, reduce debt or knock off all three by decreasing your time in the driver’s seat this year. That’s one of my resolutions — to drive less.

Time for sloppy winter drivers to get their act together

December 21, 2009

Regardless of how good we’ve been, in his travels through Calgary, Santa won’t be delivering a comprehensive snow clearing program — not this year.

A Calgary pedestrian's list of pet peeves

December 07, 2009

I walk a lot. I walk to the dog park, through the dog park, along the pathways, on the sidewalks, to the mailbox, to the store, to the train, in the north, in the south, through the rain, through the cold, at dawn, at dusk, when I’m sick and when I’m well. I walk enough to have a long list of pedestrian pet peeves.

Transit fares should reflect its service

November 30, 2009

As you prepare to pay more to ride transit next year, be sure to remember we’ll be losing 21,500 service hours, we won’t be getting any new peace officers and parking fees at LRT lots won’t be reduced. Council has decided there won’t be any fee to park at bus rapid-transit lots though — a small victory.

We need to mark a better path for cyclists

November 23, 2009

Earlier this month, a Calgary cyclist was sent to hospital in critical life-threatening condition when an SUV took a left turn in front of him, causing a collision.

Perhaps we should rethink spending on roads

November 16, 2009

I’m not an accountant and I’m no math wizard, but I’ve noticed some pretty big numbers being thrown around lately – spending on roads amidst talk of cutting services I’m hoping most consider important.