Minimalist Transportation Options: Part II

Everett Bogue advocates using free transportation, and I think he has a great idea. What is free that you only need yourself for? You got it.

Running - I have been walking to get where I needed to go for the last 8 years or so. While it takes more time, I now have significant memories attached to those places I was walking through, and I wouldn't trade those for the time I would have saved in a car. When it comes to running, however, I feel like it just a way to get into shape instead of transportation.

Many environmentalists are advocates of walking wherever you can, and I think that is great. However, what if we ran instead? Imagine the implications of that for a moment. I walk a mile in 20 minutes, on average. How fast do I run a mile? About 8 minutes. Granted this information, how then shall we live? There are a few great places on the web to read about making running a part of your daily commute, such as this Google group, and why not give it shot? And, don't forget about the new craze with barefoot running. You'll even be trendy! Running will certainly take some preparation to make it work, but it is possible. Do you have items you have to take to work with you? Drop them at the office Monday morning, bring running clothes with you, and run home! I highly recommend reading about the experiences of others to get started, as well as keep you motivated.

Other choices you make also contribute to how likely you are to be successful in your newly mode of transportation. 

Live in a place that's walkable.

Live in a place with good mass transit.

Live in place that encourages bicycle riding.

Do you see a pattern here? Where you live has a very strong affect on how you commute. There is a very poignant article regarding where you live and your weight, hilariously titled, Cul-de-sacs and 11 other unexpected things that make you fat.

This hopefully has been useful to those of you debating whether or not to try an alternative form of transportation. If you need more convincing, check out this article by Tammy Strobel.