Can Ride Clean reduce more emissions than Drive Clean in Ontario?

"97% of all cars clear emissions testing", said the man behind the Canadian Tyre counter, shaking his head wistfully.  "It is a waste of money and time.  The ones who fail are the ones who cannot even afford to get the repairs done.  Single moms, elderly, you know..."


This was at a recent emissions test for my car, as required by the Drive Clean Ontario initiative.  It highlighted the apparent futility of the exercise, making me wonder how many cars got tested every year and at $35 per test, what was the total bill?  The Program Statistics section on Drive Clean's website is "broken" but "Wonderful Wikipedia provided an estimate of $435 million fees collected as the last verifiable figure from 8 years ago.

10 bicycles replacing one polluting car

As a reluctant motorist, who is happier on a bicycle, I'd happily pay a $35 tax if it is invested in protected bike lanes on the streets of smoggy Toronto. A fraction of $435 million would go a long way towards that!   That way I don't have to drive a car.  Who needs Drive Clean when you can Ride Clean? 

Wouldn't that have a more substantial impact on reducing emissions than testing cars that keep passing?  Let's get some cars off the streets!  While we are at it, why not subsidize parking spots and infrastructure for emissions-reducing businesses like Bixi bike-sharing and car-sharing programs like AutoShare and Zip Cars? 


By the way, I love Bixi!

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