Out of the blue, partially inspired by the insane gas crisis in Atlanta, I decided to see how long I could go without driving. Today is Wednesday, and the last time I was in my car was Saturday. Granted, I work out of my house, so it isn’t as difficult as it is for many, but I have made some big changes in the way I operate to accomplish this.
Sunday I rode about 3 miles to do some shopping, then rode to play Ultimate (my last gasp at retaining what little youth I have left)– the ride there was fine, the ride back less so. Monday I worked out of my home office all day, then rode about 8 miles to a meeting, and back home afterwards. I slept well. Tuesday I took MARTA, the local mass transit system, to a doctor’s appointment. A short (1/2 Mile) walk to the train station, read the paper on the ride, then about 2 blocks to the office. Nice weather, and it only took me about a half hour longer than if I had driven, and the cost was about the same as what I would have paid for parking. Later that day, another 3 mile (6 round trip) bike ride for some shopping, and walked to a local watering hole for a drink with a friend after dinner. Wednesday morning, I rode a few miles to a yoga class (man, am I a stereotype or what?), then back home. Went downtown by train to a meeting, then rode my bike to the local organic farmer’s market for some vegetables for dinner. Tomorrow, I plan to do another bike ride to go buy a new refrigerator – Energy Star tax holiday in Georgia – and no, I won’t take it home on the bicycle. Later that night, I am really excited, I am going to see my idol, Lewis Black, in concert. Need to figure out the arrangements, but I will either ride or take MARTA to a friend’s house. I have dinner plans Friday night with friends, they are figuring out how to accomodate my new religion. My plan is to not use my car for at least a week. Stay tuned.
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You have really gone and lost it this time! Walking is so... 1800's.
No doubt you will experience some wacky side effects from all this walking like getting in shape, lower your blood pressure, possibly extending your curmudgeonly life.
You should walk down to the mayor's office and propose something like this for the entire city. It is possible that they will throw you into the street for proposing such a hare-brained idea, or perhaps you will have some unpleasant visits from oil corporation hit-men. Still, could you imagine how cool it would be if an entire city were to take a vacation from their cars for an entire week!
I have begun instituting a new walking meeting policy. For the three months out of the year when we can go outside without fear of freezing, company meetings are held over a walk. Good for the heart and the brain!
Good luck!
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