Green Sheet

by Eric Davies

Can We Dismantle Our Drive to Drive?

On a recent sunny morning, I strolled along the second leg of my refreshing and healthy walk to work, three-blocks in total with a five-mile bus ride in between. Only 24 hours earlier, I made the same trip to my downtown office by car, trapped and guilt-ridden inside the metal box I choose too often as my means of transportation.

I must admit, like many others, I do enjoy the convenience that comes with owning a car. I also have become convinced that the automobile, known for the last century as the ultimate symbol of American freedom and individualism, is boxing us into a corner of ill-health, isolation, and misery.

From a global perspective, consider the financial and environmental toll the automobile takes on our society. While on one hand the automobile industry remains one of the largest economic engines in the nation and the world, on the other hand it also imposes great costs that may actually outweigh the benefits. Our over-reliance on fossil fuel is a political challenge and an environmental issue. The question of drilling on protected wilderness or concern over OPEC's price-setting would have far less impact if we used our automobiles less.

The automobile also has a negative effect on our health. A good share of the blame for the epidemic levels of asthma and obesity (and diabetes and cardiovascular conditions caused by obesity) in the United States can be attributed to our living in a society constructed for cars rather than people. Even the American diet revolves around the car, as 35 to 45 percent of all food consumption consists of "fast food," a byproduct of a fast-paced, automobile-oriented society.

Central Ohio's air quality also continues to deteriorate as air quality alerts are becoming more common on summer days. More than one-third of all ground-level ozone-causing emissions in Franklin County comes from automobiles and related byproducts.

Current statistics seem to support the notion that "the car is King in Columbus!" The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commis-sion (MORPC) reports nearly all trips for work, shopping and other activities in Central Ohio are made by car while the region adds about 48 additional vehicles to its roadways daily. Transporting ourselves in any fashion other than the car rarely receives consideration.

While the options seem limited, many organizations and interested parties in Ohio and nationally are taking notice and beginning to draft models for systemic change. The development of communities where individuals can safely walk, use bicycles, and have access to mass transit are beginning to receive so much attention that many state and federal politicians are beginning to notice. Concepts such as livable neighborhoods, smart growth, and sustainable development remain fairly foreign to much of the population, but are gradually seeping into the mainstream framework.

While awareness grows regarding the systemic change that is required for how we develop our communities, the greatest opportunity for change may exist in the ability of each individual to make small changes on a daily basis. These changes will not only facilitate larger transformation, they also help make each of us feel healthier about our lives. Although we think about walking as an extracurricular activity, something we do on an occasional warm summer evening to relax, we also would benefit greatly from choosing this as a mode of mobility. Consider that in the Netherlands 18 percent of people walk and 30 percent use bicycles for moving around. In the United States, statistics are nine percent and one percent respectively.

Using mass transit also creates opportunities for walking and offers individuals an opportunity to live more communally by moving about in public spaces. While the car may sit a few steps out the front door, the nearest bus stop may be several blocks away. The walk offers a chance to exercise, enjoy nature, greet your neighbors, and slow life down. A bus ride to work, shopping, or anywhere may offer you time to read, rest, write, meditate, or even converse with others.

Before you hop in your car the next time you need to run an errand, reflect for a moment on your transportation choices. Is there an alternative? Could you walk? Ride a bike? Take the bus? Our use of the automobile is reflexive, automatic, and unconscious. Challenge yourself to consider your options, their costs, and their benefits.

Eric Davies is a freelance writer also employed in the healthcare field. He is a member of Simply Living, Capital City Transit Coalition, and 1000 Friends of Central Ohio, as well as a long-time advocate for a shift toward "livable communities."