For some reason, it's not obvious to people that dependence on the automobile is inversely linked to their health. The more you drive, the poorer your health will be. Drive less, and not only will your life slow down and become less stressful, but you will be getting more exercise as you walk and bike to get around.
A headline in the news today proclaims, "Car-driven society poses health risk for Americans." Reduce your risk for obesity and heart disease. Readjust your lifestyle and make the choice to drive less.
Start easy and you are more likely to succeed. Look for a few trips a week that you can replace with an alternative mode of transportation. Cycle to the library. Get a bicycle rack or a trailer and you'll be able to shop by bicycle. Bike to work a few times a week. You only have to give it a try. You might discover that you need your car less than you think!
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4 comments:
Congrats on the front-and-center letter to the editor in today's (5/29/09) Fresno Bee. I have been a bike commuter for a year now and it has been great. Advocacy for better bike routes is a good idea, but I think what we have is pretty good already. I can get just about anywhere in Fresno/Clovis via existing bike routes. I'd like to see a more general focus on driver education and employer participation. I think this would address some immediate needs while also increasing awareness for the route issue.
Mark,
I will need lots of questions answered as I make this transition. I sure hope you will join the blog and help me out here!
I have two teenagers--and life seems to be testing my new commitment in in so many ways--like how do I take two guests from Colorado camping? They are 12 and 15 years old!
I suppose it depends on how celibate you have vowed to be! Are you allowing yourself to drive a car occasionally? Or is the goal to never operate another internal combustion powered vehicle ever again? If it's the former, I'd say... rent or borrow a car! If it's the latter, you could find a camping destination accessible by public transportation. I believe Amtrak has bus routes into Yosemite, for example.
I do still have and use a car... so can't really speak to the car-free logistic with great expertise.
Well, i'd like to be completely free--but I am not sure if it is a possibility.
Then you can get sucked up into the exhaust of details:
1) Can I ride in a car if someone else drives?
2) What if my job expects miles to be driven--to like Costco to pick up supplies ("Don't work for them" may be the right answer.)
3) And what about Friday nights at Joe's?
Ya, I haven't quite decided how fanatical to be--bike commuting, any way you view it in Fresno--is living on the social fringe...
I have a graduation to attend in Visalia on Friday--I think it will push me into the car-pooling realm of bike commuting acceptability!
What about you/
What are your limits?
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