Did you know that the City of Burlington has an idling control bylaw to limit unnecessary idling and that idling for more than one minute can result in a $120 ticket?
Idling and Climate Change
In April 2019, Burlington City Council passed a Climate Emergency Declaration “that Council and staff immediately increase the priority of the fight against climate change.” A lot of work is taking place to address climate change through:
- Implementing the Corporate Energy and Emissions Management Plan: 2019-2024 (approved in July 2019) with a net zero carbon emission target of 2040 as stated in Burlington Strategic Plan 2015-2040.
- Implementing the Climate Action Plan (approved in April 2020) with a net zero carbon emission target of 2050.
- Developing Burlington’s first climate adaptation plan called Climate Resilient Burlington: A Plan for Adapting to Our Warmer, Wetter and Wilder Weather, with plans to present it to City Council in May 2022.
In Burlington, the transportation sector accounts for about 40 per cent of our local greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Turning your engine off when not in use is a simple way to reduce your personal GHG emissions that contribute to climate change.
Idling Myths
Myth: It’s cold outside. I need to idle to warm up my vehicle.
Reality: The best way to warm up your vehicle is to drive it. This will help lower emissions, reduce damage to your vehicle components, save money, and eliminate the risk of idling or ‘warm-up’ vehicle theft. Across Alberta, where 25 per cent of stolen vehicles are stolen while idling, police services have initiated “Operation Cold Start” where officers patrol neighbourhoods watching for empty idling vehicles and talk to the owner. As the police stated: “people want to sit in a warm vehicle … unfortunately so do thieves.” Reminders have also been issued by Halton Police including on Jan. 11, 2022.
Myth: Turning a vehicle on and off produces more emissions than letting a vehicle idle.
Reality: According to Natural Resources Canada, idling for over 10 seconds uses more fuel and produces more carbon dioxide compared to restarting your engine.
Need an Idle Free Zone sign for your business or school?
Idling signs measure 30 x 45 cm and can be purchased for $23.70 + HST. Email environment@burlington.ca to order.
Run a school campaign
We provide resources to schools running idling awareness campaigns. These campaigns remind parents and caregivers to turn their engines off while waiting to pick up students. Email environment@burlington.ca for the following items:
Report excessive idling
If you see repeated excessive idling (Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.), report it to Burlington Parking Services at 905-335-7777 or email city@burlington.ca. If it’s after hours, call Halton Regional Police at 905-825-4777 and ask for “dispatch” for a parking officer.
Other ways to reduce your mobility emissions
For short trips, walk or ride your bike. Check out Burlington Transit routes in your neighbourhood or take the GO train to surrounding regions. If you need to drive, have you considered an electric vehicle (EV)? The Plug’n Drive Electric Vehicle Discovery Centre in Toronto provides the ability to test drive a range of EVs without the pressure of having to purchase a vehicle. They can also help you with your EV charging options.
A little history about idling in Burlington
Idling was first flagged by the Burlington Sustainable Development Advisory Committee in 1999 and a Council resolution was adopted in 2000 to develop an education strategy and present a draft bylaw one year from the implementation of the education strategy. An idling campaign was launched on Clean Air Day in June 2003 with a media event at City Hall. Posters and bookmarks were distributed to all public schools and over 100 outdoor metal signs were posted at City municipal facilities and schools. City staff were also subject to a new idling control policy and information was included on their pay stubs. Burlington was also part of GTA wide idling blitzes in 2003 and 2005.
Burlington’s first idling bylaw for unnecessary idling was approved by City Council in 2004 and came into effect in May 2005. At the time, the idling limit was three minutes with exemptions. The bylaw, which also applies to City staff, was strengthened in 2009 reducing the unnecessary idling limit to one minute and again in 2014 when it was amalgamated with the parking bylaw for housekeeping purposes. The bylaw is now officially known as the Parking and Idling Bylaw.
Two decades later, Burlington continues to profile idling through blog posts such as this, social media campaigns, communications with staff, distribution of campaign material for schools, etc. Burlington has produced different communications material on idling over the years to keep the issue top of mind. As such, this material has been requested for use by other municipalities or non-profit organizations across Canada and sustainability staff have had numerous conversations with staff from other jurisdictions about the issue.
Take Action Burlington. Turn your engine OFF. Collectively we can make a difference!
Take Action Burlington 