Looking first overseas, the New York Times today covered an interesting “niche” community, and their car-free suburb. Vauban, Germany, is a new model community for those looking to live healthy lives for their bodies, their families, and our earth. Cities cannot simply banish cars. Rather, Vauban built it’s community around the concept, locating stores, schools, community centers, and other popular destinations within residential areas. Read the full article for all the details about living in a car-free zone, and all of the relevant environmental impact issues, including global warming from our automobile emissions.
The article mentions a trial run of this concept in America. One settlement in California might work well, but I’m not optimistic about wide-spread adoption in the near future. But we can still learn something from the car-free philosophy and borrow some workable elements to integrate into our society.
For example, many cities, San Francisco included, hold car-free days on main roadways. In San Francisco, “Sunday Streets” happens about once a month in the summer months, and rotates through numerous locations in the city. In our world where most take cars for granted, streets full of bikes, joggers, walkers, skate boarders, roller bladers, kids playing, and people from all walks of life enjoying the outdoors together on our roads is a beautiful and welcomed site. Other cities hold similar events, and we should work to expand the distance, time, and frequency across the country.
City living has many benefits, including public transportation and walkable distances that don’t need a car. In fact, in many cities such as San Francisco, traffic and parking costs are strong disincentives to vehicle ownership. Many people, including myself, get by easily with membership in car sharing programs, like Zipcar. I miss having a car to call my own, one that I’m used to. But the benefits far outweigh the costs. My transportation budget for cabs, buses, and the occasional Zipcar is tiny fraction of what it would be to own a car. On top of that, I rarely worry about parking, and when I do drive, I drive a Mini Cooper or BMW 325i. To take my bike into the shop or pickup furniture I zip around in a CRV or pickup truck. The flexibility for less money can’t be beat.
Again, Zipcar and other companies serve many cities, and we can expand the availability. Government at the local, state, and federal level should encourage use by designating more reserved spots nad providing some level of financial incentives. In smaller towns, where it’s difficult to place cars near mass living areas, cities should work with car sharing companies to locate fleets near universities, downtown areas, and transit hubs.
Closer to home, Colorado seems poised to enact new legislation that puts cyclists rights in the law books. The Colordao Springs Gazette reported yesterday that Governor Bill Ritter plans to sign Senate Bill 148, aimed at “protecting cyclists.” Specifically, the law drivers give cyclists at least three feet of space when passing or risk a $110 ticket. Anyone who throws an object at a cyclist could be charged with a class 2 misdemeanor. That carries a fine of between $250 and $1,000 and a possible sentence of three to 12 months in jail.” (Colorado Springs Gazette)
It’s sad that we need new laws like this, because we should treat cyclists with the same respect we treat other car drivers, and laws like this should already be enacted nation-wide. But, every step forward helps. Sharing the road is something no one wants. When driving, I don’t want to watch for cyclists shooting out in front of me or out of driveways, and more important, when cycling, I don’t want to deal with cars. While on the street, I always ride with some level of fear that diminishes the fun of the bike.
Nevertheless, sharing is something we have to do. We can build more bike paths and bike lanes on existing roads, but in many cases, the best practical improvement is sharing. To get better sharing, we will need better signage and better laws. The Colorado law is essential because it explicitly states that cyclists have rights on the road, and infringements of those rights are not taken lightly. And they shouldn’t be; following another car too close can certainly cause damage, but it’s nothing compared to an Escalade-cyclist crash.
Improving cycling around the world is great progress towards a more healthy, sustainable, and safer world. And a reminder: Thursday is “Bike to Work Day.” Dust off the bike, fill up the tires, and enjoy the beautiful outdoors on your normal commute. No complaining; I doubt you have to ride father than I do.
Take Back the Flag 