A few weeks ago, yeah yeah, I got distracted, I spoke on various ways we can limit our Negative Environmental Impact (NEI). I’ve already tackled the first one on the list, (The Number One Thing https://bit.ly/2S6p8IB) where I discuss the serious cons wasting food creates. Today, I’m going to leap into number 2 on the list, non-vehicular transportation.
Whether it is on foot, rolling with the bicycle, or to a lesser degree, public transportation, there are many ways we can leave the car parked and perform tasks, both fun and obligatory, without turning the key in our automobiles. But before we dive into wildernesspunking this issue, let’s just review all the upsides of non-driving, but still getting to where you need to go.
The Positives of Non-car Travel
- You lower your NEI
- You save money by not using as much gasoline
- You stay in better shape with more exercise
- Reduce wear on your vehicle prolonging its life
- You reduce traffic congestion
- No need to find or pay for parking
- Less driving means less accidents
Bonus WildernessPunk Values
- Less laws which you can be accused of violating
- You can be more relaxed if you’ve had a few drinks
- You don’t risk giving your money to a fascist dictator or to a company owned by the wealthiest .1%
- You are more likely to observe nature
- As the hippies would say, there is always the chance of finding a ‘Ground Score’
- No one can ask you for a ride home
- With enough change, parking lots could be converted into more useful spaces
These lists could continue, but I think you get the point. This is good for you, the country, and the world. But what should we call this style of improving? I hate the use of Alternative Transportation. Cars are alternative transportation. Walking is our normal mode, although we tend to forget such things. So how about we use:
Smart Travel
I would be surprised to find too many people who are against all the positive gains listed above. Although, of course, there will always be those who hate bikers and feel pedestrians just get in the way of smooth flowing traffic. They should keep in mind though, each of these people they see are one less car slowing them down when they are trying to make the light before it turns red.
More realistic objections would be things such as health restrictions, which could keep some people from being able to walk or bike to the store. No, grandma please don’t get on a bike, but it does bring to mind how far we’re removed from the natural, when people can’t live without the help of dead dinosaurs. Also in a strange reverse of fates, we unnatural city dwellers can perform many tasks without driving. For instance, I can do all my shopping, hit a restaurant, drop by the bank, and visit half my friends without getting behind the wheel.
In contrast, those who enjoy and live closer to nature, have the drawback of not being able to do the majority of our modern tasks without a long drive into town. If they can get wifi, many of these errands can now be done over the internet, such as paying bills. However don’t get trapped thinking you’re helping lower your NEI by ordering from Amazon, because that truck had to drive to your house.
Let’s review one man’s savings, er mine. I’m a bike commuter, who has obviously had the miles I ride fluctuate over the years. The most I ever pulled off was 4100 miles in a single year. But let’s lower the bar a few degrees below my crazy. I’ve had several years where I estimate I saved about 800$ a year. I minus the price of new tubes, but also keep in mind less oil changes and car maintenance.
Sure 800$ might not be a lion’s sum, but then again, I didn’t need to sign up for a gym or take blood pressure medications either. But at the end of each month, when I walked down to a local pub with my extra 75$, I didn’t waste, and grabbed a pint and some chicken wings, it didn’t feel too bad.
So WildernessPunk it to the oil man and Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Keep yourself out of the hospital and enjoy the extra cash in your pocket. Smart Travel is Punk, and every time you drive, a little of you has sold out. Little is more radical than Doing It Yourself and each time you take a stroll that’s exactly what’s happening.
Never underestimate yourself and be sure to look both ways.
Grab some of my ‘Does Dak dream of electric cars’ fiction here
WildernessPunk 