I've been filling up my gas tank (no matter how little it needed) religiously since May and pressing my little trip mileage counter back to zero at the same time so that I could compare my miles driven, price paid, etc., and by keeping track, attempt to reduce my car usage. A look back at these weekly photos, along with the others I took, shows a predicatable, but nevertheless interesting, pattern. Prices rise. Scooters and bikes appear more frequently. Bus and train interest mounts. Sneakers come out of hiding. Gas prices drop, and when is the last time you've seen a scooter?
I'm full of excuses right now for why my daily bike rides have turned into a vague memory of maybe riding around the block a week ago Saturday, and didn't I go for a walk last Wednesday, and remember when we rode MARTA in October? I don't have time (yeah, right, because it takes a whopping 30 minutes to run an errand on a bike and I blow that amount of time easily in one good phone conversation). And it's too colddddddd (ahem, reality check here--40 degrees is too cold for a native New Yorker who went running every morning unless it was colder than 10 degrees?)
I have to remind myself that driving less isn't just about saving money. It's about improving the environment, getting more exercise, and connecting with my family, friends and local community more. And it's about fun. It's very easy to forget the fun part of all this livin' lighter on the land stuff. The fun gets lost in the didactic pontifications.
And so, for today, I'm committing to fun. Fun everyday. Without the car. For at least 30 minutes. Unless it goes lower than 10 degrees. Then, all bets are off. :)
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2 comments:
Our neighbors in Sandy Springs are lobbying for seamless pedestrian walkways to connect to Dunwoody in the Orchard Park/Jett Ferry area. Sign the petition at
www.ipetitions.com/petition
/walksandysprings
Lisa; Thanks for alerting me to this. For the convenience of Sustainable Dunwoody readers, here is the text of the petition:
We the residents of Sandy Springs, GA request the expansion of the sidewalk system in certain areas within District 1. The specific areas targeted are as follows:
1. The .3 mile stretch of Mount Vernon Road between Dunwoody Club Drive and Spalding Drive that currently is not served by a sidewalk (Spalding Drive to Orchard Point).
2. The .2 mile stretch of Jett Ferry Road between Spalding Drive and Orchard Park Shopping Center that is not currently served by a sidewalk.
3. The two stretches of Spalding Drive between Mount Vernon Road and Nesbit Ferry Road that are currently not served by a sidewalk (.1 mile stretch between Stables Dr and Wickley Way & .3 mile stretch from the Spalding Lake Recreation Area to Spalding Lane).
4. The .4 mile Stretch of Spalding Drive between Spalding Heights subdivision and Jett Ferry Road that is not currently served by a sidewalk.
The expansion of the sidewalk system in these areas would be highly beneficial and is needed for the following reasons:
Safety for residents of District 1 - The current haphazard sidewalk coverage in this area results in foot traffic along busy city side streets such as Mount Vernon Road and Spalding Drive. It is only a matter of time before a motor vehicle versus pedestrian accident occurs along a Sandy Springs street as citizens attempt to bridge two sections of the existing sidewalk system.
Improved quality of life via increased recreational options (walking, jogging, etc.)- Sandy Springs is an active community. Unfortunately, it is very common for residents in District 1 to drive to the neighboring community of Dunwoody to jog or walk on the extensive sidewalk system in that community. Those choosing to jog and walk within District 1 face the risk of sharing the road with motorized vehicles.
Environmentally Friendly- Increased sidewalk coverage in District 1 would have the impact of reducing motor vehicle traffic and auto emissions and saving residents fuel costs.
Seamless connection to the neighboring city of Dunwoody - The expansion of the sidewalk system in certain areas of District 1 would provide a seamless link to the sidewalk system of the City of Dunwoody. This would create a pedestrian friendly zone unparalleled in Metro Atlanta, making Sandy Springs a more desirable place to live, work, and play.
We believe that the expansion of the sidewalk system in District 1 would have a profound impact on the quality of life for citizens in this area of Sandy Springs. We ask that you review the attached list of petitioners and respond positively to this request.
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