Comments on: Cars: Going the Way of the Horse? http://innercityfarmer.com/2008/06/10/cars-going-the-way-of-the-horse/ Championing Urban Sustainability... Since 2006 Tue, 06 Jan 2009 07:47:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Jen http://innercityfarmer.com/2008/06/10/cars-going-the-way-of-the-horse/#comment-137 Jen Thu, 12 Jun 2008 23:29:53 +0000 http://innercityfarmer.com/2008/06/10/cars-going-the-way-of-the-horse/#comment-137 Right on, brother. I'm with you all the way. My eight-year old daughter insists that we'll all be back to horses by the time she would be starting to drive. I also know the dilemma of ease (with small kids and a not-so-bike-friendly town) versus "the right thing to do." One step at a time, right? By the way, I just found your blog today and love it. Great writing, perfect subjects. I'm starting one along the same lines, with an emphasis on our local (Northern California) area. You're definitely an inspiration, and will be checking back in with you often. Cheers! Right on, brother. I’m with you all the way. My eight-year old daughter insists that we’ll all be back to horses by the time she would be starting to drive. I also know the dilemma of ease (with small kids and a not-so-bike-friendly town) versus “the right thing to do.” One step at a time, right?

By the way, I just found your blog today and love it. Great writing, perfect subjects. I’m starting one along the same lines, with an emphasis on our local (Northern California) area. You’re definitely an inspiration, and will be checking back in with you often. Cheers!

]]> By: Storms http://innercityfarmer.com/2008/06/10/cars-going-the-way-of-the-horse/#comment-131 Storms Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:35:25 +0000 http://innercityfarmer.com/2008/06/10/cars-going-the-way-of-the-horse/#comment-131 I agree with everything you say until the every end. I for one am not waiting around for policy makers to devise a solution for the mess the Car Culture has created. Our politicians have never proven themselves to be very adept at promoting change. I believe it's up to us as individuals to make the changes we desire. We can best do this in our role as consumers by forcing companies to adopt better practices. Even better, we could boycott the whole system. I agree with everything you say until the every end. I for one am not waiting around for policy makers to devise a solution for the mess the Car Culture has created. Our politicians have never proven themselves to be very adept at promoting change. I believe it’s up to us as individuals to make the changes we desire. We can best do this in our role as consumers by forcing companies to adopt better practices. Even better, we could boycott the whole system.

]]> By: Nissa http://innercityfarmer.com/2008/06/10/cars-going-the-way-of-the-horse/#comment-127 Nissa Tue, 10 Jun 2008 20:07:10 +0000 http://innercityfarmer.com/2008/06/10/cars-going-the-way-of-the-horse/#comment-127 I definitely agree with you about gas prices. I think it is time we start paying for what we consume and learn to conserve. I was annoyed by a recent plot in my office to coerce oil companies into lowering gas prices to $2.00 “where they belong.” Despite that person’s sense of entitlement, I have seen responsible changes like advertisements for carpooling in my building. In the last week alone, I have been approached by three different people who have asked “so, how do you like that Yaris? What kind of gas mileage do you get?” Yes, yes, I get 35 to 40 mpg and so my gas costs have barely inched up over the last months. I am lucky in that regard, but also because there is a bus that goes directly from my house to my workplace. Several times in the last few weeks, I’ve forgone my zippy 15 minute ride for the 45 minute commute of odd smells and creepy stares. But, while you and I can easily alter our behaviors, I don’t think you talk enough about how hard these changes can be for most people. Bussing in Austin just isn’t convenient. Most of the things that you do are not convenient. People don’t have time to lose an hour in their day so they can take the bus. I think many people have a split personality (I know I struggle with this daily). One side believes we should bike, engage in communities instead of television, and stop relying on frozen meals. The other side is tired, run-down, and wants to take the easy way out. I think the only way things in our nation will change on a large scale is when policy makers come up with a plan that makes the bus the easy way out. I really think that idealism is truncated by reality. Sorry, dude I definitely agree with you about gas prices. I think it is time we start paying for what we consume and learn to conserve. I was annoyed by a recent plot in my office to coerce oil companies into lowering gas prices to $2.00 “where they belong.” Despite that person’s sense of entitlement, I have seen responsible changes like advertisements for carpooling in my building. In the last week alone, I have been approached by three different people who have asked “so, how do you like that Yaris? What kind of gas mileage do you get?” Yes, yes, I get 35 to 40 mpg and so my gas costs have barely inched up over the last months. I am lucky in that regard, but also because there is a bus that goes directly from my house to my workplace. Several times in the last few weeks, I’ve forgone my zippy 15 minute ride for the 45 minute commute of odd smells and creepy stares.

But, while you and I can easily alter our behaviors, I don’t think you talk enough about how hard these changes can be for most people. Bussing in Austin just isn’t convenient. Most of the things that you do are not convenient. People don’t have time to lose an hour in their day so they can take the bus. I think many people have a split personality (I know I struggle with this daily). One side believes we should bike, engage in communities instead of television, and stop relying on frozen meals. The other side is tired, run-down, and wants to take the easy way out. I think the only way things in our nation will change on a large scale is when policy makers come up with a plan that makes the bus the easy way out. I really think that idealism is truncated by reality. Sorry, dude

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