Cars: Going the Way of the Horse?
While everyone is bitching about their own personal “pain at the pump” (dumbest. phrase. ever.), I’m all smiles. Finally, the market price of gas is starting to reflect its environmental cost! I can’t wait for the day it hits $10 a gallon because that should force us all to make smarter choices like looking for an alternative fuel that is sustainable instead of grasping for stop-gap measures like eliminating the gas tax (dumbest. idea. ever). Our politicians remain hopelessly short-sighted so, once again, it’s up to us as consumers to make forward-thinking choices. Like using public transportation. Or riding bikes to work.
I haven’t talked much about transportation yet because, frankly, I’m still behind the times. I drive a gas-guzzling van. I don’t ride my bike enough. My only defense is that I have a three year old, and the easiest way to get him from Point A to Point B is to strap him in his car seat and hit the road. When he’s with his mom, I do much better. I will often go days without driving. I did especially well last week on my birthday when I hit the trifecta of alternative transportation: I took the bus to Wheatsville and back, I rode my bike to pick up some Thai food (and used my own canvas bag and refused their plastic utensils), and carpooled to Stubb’s to see Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings. Pretty good, but I know I can do better.
I hereby promise that I will never buy a gas-consuming vehicle again. When the van dies, I hope to go electric or, better, rely solely on buses and my bike. After all, that is one of the greatest reasons for living in a city; it’s so easy to get everywhere without using a car. I find it odd that when I visit New York City or San Francisco I almost solely use public transportation, but in Austin I rarely do. That’s going to change, and not just because gas now costs more than Makers Mark.
For those seeking an alternative to the car, I suggest checking out the Austin Yellow Bike Project, which promotes bicycling by teaching people how to fix their own bikes and offering free community bikes, and Austin Car Share, which hopes to limit the amount of cars on the road by allowing its members to borrow cars only when they need them.
June 10th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
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
June 11th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
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.
June 12th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
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!