If you thought all the good September holidays were behind us, think again. On Sept. 22, people around the world will once again celebrate World Carfree Day, and this is a great time to dream up new strategies to leave the keys at home and get around in another, less-emission-laden way.
Car-free days date back to the 1970s, when the oil crisis made many drivers rethink their transportation situation. Ad hoc groups casually created days in which they challenged drivers to get around without their car, and the idea experienced a resurgence in popularity in the 1990s. But it went global and turned into a bona fide movement in 2000, when Carbusters (now World Carfree Network) created the World Carfree Day.
Since then, individuals and groups around the world have worked to build awareness about this event in their corner of the world. Events vary by location and give motorists an idea of what their lives might look like with fewer cars on the road.
To be a part of World Carfree Day, you don’t have to join a group — although you might check your local newspaper’s calendar of events and see if there are any related activities you can participate in. Either way, all it takes to be part of World Carfree Day is an alternative form of transportation. And just in case you need some ideas on that, we’ve got you covered.
1. Grab a bicycle. As children, bicycles were the most efficient form of transportation that many of us knew. Plenty of city commuters are returning to this two-wheeled option, saving money on gasoline as well as eliminating wear and tear on their automobiles. They’re nice for getting out of that dreaded rush hour gridlock (when’s the last time you saw a traffic jam that involved bicycles?), and many cities have gone to great lengths to improve conditions for cyclists.
2. Lace up the sneaks. Walking — remember that? It’s that thing we used to do before automation and organized transportation made our lives too easy. Walking shoes have become a science all their own, and stylish kicks like the Rockport truWALKzero and the Brooks Trance 12 just might make you want to take an extra lap around the office complex during lunch. When you’re done with your shoes, remember to recycle or donate them.
3. Hop on an ELF. Don’t worry, we aren’t advocating getting a piggyback ride from one of Santa’s helpers. ELF stands for Electric, Light and Fun, and it’s a great ride — as well as a surefire conversation starter. This recumbent tricycle housed in a fiberglass shell has an electric motor and rooftop solar panel, which makes it completely environmentally friendly. While it’s legally classified as a bicycle, it has a few things your old Schwinn didn’t, such as headlights, brake lights and turn signals. Use the electric boost to help you up hills, and just sit back and enjoy the ride!
4. Segway into work. Depending on where you live, Segway may or may not be a viable form of transportation. While the motorized two-wheelers didn’t quite launch the transportation revolution they had hoped for, these zero-emission PTs, or personal transporters, deliver an impressive 450 miles to the gallon and can be used indoors, outside or even for a little off-road adventure.
5. Hop aboard. Leave the driving to someone else, and you just might be surprised at how well you like it! Check out your city’s transit system. Buses can be a fantastic way to get around, although your individual experience is going to depend greatly on how well your city has invested in its mass transit system. If the bus doesn’t appeal to you, look at your city’s light rail system, which has become a popular mode of transportation in most major cities.
Source: Earth911
September 20, 2013
By Paula Felps
http://earth911.com/general/world-carfree-day-2013/
