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"But that doesn’t mean we can’t embrace some of the things that have helped Europeans keep their gasoline bills down — such as high-speed rail, public transportation and green energy."
That WaPo article left out how pedestrian-unfriendly a lot of our cities/towns are, as compared to Europe. That, combined with the fact that Americans don't seem to want to walk ANYwhere. Two blocks away? Must get in the car. Quarter of a mile? Cannot do it without gasoline.
Save those times when the weather makes it less hospitable to walk, or when you will be carting lots of stuff, or when lack of sidewalks make walking unsafe, so many Americans just are not willing to use our legs.
Or drive a more reasonable vehicle. (Sorry, I'm stepping into "soapbox" territory! But while I'm on the subject...) There is no justification for Humvees. There is usually no reason for a family of four or less to drive an SUV or minivan. (Maybe you are all hikers or campers or skiiers, or need -- genuinely need -- lots of space to cart things to and fro, fine, but most aren't)
Do you really need more than one car in your family? (We manage with one.) Ok, a lot of people can't but surely some can. If you can't, are you driving only what's appropriate for your family size and needs? Do you walk or bike when you can? We are usually too spoiled to take control of our gas spending but while the prices are out of control we can at least make an attempt. *stepping off soapbox*
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"Not much time for CD these days but I'll post when I can"
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Location: Loudoun County, VA
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Looking for the silver lining in all this, maybe it will encourage more people to walk to the store. A lot of people live within a mile of a store, and while you need a car for a large amount of groceries, I think we will see more folks walking if all they need is a few items.
I've been walking to work lately, partly due to the gas prices. I figure I'll save a few bucks, plus get my exercise for the day. (Also, I'm lucky that my boss is lenient about what time I get in. The problem with walking, cycling, and even taking the bus is it takes a lot more time.)
The problem with walking, cycling, and even taking the bus is it takes a lot more time.)
That's what kills it for me. Right now I drive to the VRE station, take the VRE and walk the rest of the way to work. It works out great for me.
Where the house is I am buying it's not as easy. I can drive to the metro station and take the metro, but then I have to pay to park (and I am not sure how parking is in the morning at the Franconia Station).
I considered the bus, but all my digging has shown that walking to the bus stop, taking the bus to the metro and walking from the metro to work would take too long (I am limited in my time by childcare options). It would actually take me longer to get to work from Springfield to Alexandria than it would Manassas to Alexandria if I do the walk to the bus stop, take the bus to the metro option .
Driving would be the fastest option (it's about a 15 minute drive on a Saturday--not sure what it will be on a weekday). My car is pretty fuel efficient at 36 mpg highway. I only fill it up once every two weeks and it costs about $35 to do so. But still, I rather not have to deal with parking.
What I might end up doing is driving to the VRE in Backlick Road and taking it one stop to Alexandria. Now before you think that's crazy, it will cost me $$$ to park in Alexandria and my employer will reimburse me for the VRE (which has free parking). Plus childcare is between my house and the VRE station, so I'll already be halfway there anyway. Using the VRE does reduce my flexibility though since the VRE runs less than the metro. But I suppose in a pinch I could take a cab or bus to my car.
Looking for the silver lining in all this, maybe it will encourage more people to walk to the store. A lot of people live within a mile of a store, and while you need a car for a large amount of groceries, I think we will see more folks walking if all they need is a few items.
I've been walking to work lately, partly due to the gas prices. I figure I'll save a few bucks, plus get my exercise for the day. (Also, I'm lucky that my boss is lenient about what time I get in. The problem with walking, cycling, and even taking the bus is it takes a lot more time.)
Agreed. And if you walk a mile each way to the store for a few items, you have just used up 20+ minutes each way plus the shopping time--and you can't get frozen items and it may be risky to get refrigerated items if they will be out of the chilled air 1/2 hour.
I think the problem is that few of us live within the two blocks - half mile range of many things we need, which would be walkable by people without disabilities (and a lot of people have "invisible" disabilities such as arthritic knees or hips). A mile is a different proposition than a few blocks. And many things are well beyond a mile. I live in a "walkable" neighborhood, but the nearest Home Depot or Lowes is a 20 minute drive. It's a chicken and egg thing.
What's strange for me is how few DC neighborhoods are "self-sustaining" but maybe this is in transition. Some have plenty of fabulous restaurants, but their residents drive to VA to buy clothes, lamps, towels, and groceries.
European cities have metro systems that stop every few blocks and cover the entire city. We have basically only 3 lines that go through NoVA with stops that generally are farther apart, so people don't have all the options to go car-free that they would have in Europe. This is partly because the metro system is seen as partially a public good that everyone benefits from (which is true) and so partial tax support is seen as appropriate. I would like us to evolve more to that system. This metro area is much too big, and growing, for so few metro lines. I understand the huge costs and political difficulties. But I think it is the ultimate solution.
Or drive a more reasonable vehicle. (Sorry, I'm stepping into "soapbox" territory! But while I'm on the subject...) There is no justification for Humvees. There is usually no reason for a family of four or less to drive an SUV or minivan. (Maybe you are all hikers or campers or skiiers, or need -- genuinely need -- lots of space to cart things to and fro, fine, but most aren't)
Do you really need more than one car in your family? (We manage with one.) Ok, a lot of people can't but surely some can. If you can't, are you driving only what's appropriate for your family size and needs? Do you walk or bike when you can? We are usually too spoiled to take control of our gas spending but while the prices are out of control we can at least make an attempt. *stepping off soapbox*
I'm single (no kids, no family) and I drive an SUV. I don't need to have a family because I have animals that I transport - and I'm not transporting them in a Ford Festiva. Also, I'm tall and I don't like crouching down to get into sedans or coupes. It sucks So whether I have alpacas, dogs, babies or not, I'll probably always drive an SUV because I find other cars to be to small for my liking.
Agreed. And if you walk a mile each way to the store for a few items, you have just used up 20+ minutes each way plus the shopping time--and you can't get frozen items and it may be risky to get refrigerated items if they will be out of the chilled air 1/2 hour.
I think the problem is that few of us live within the two blocks - half mile range of many things we need, which would be walkable by people without disabilities (and a lot of people have "invisible" disabilities such as arthritic knees or hips). A mile is a different proposition than a few blocks. And many things are well beyond a mile. I live in a "walkable" neighborhood, but the nearest Home Depot or Lowes is a 20 minute drive. It's a chicken and egg thing.
What's strange for me is how few DC neighborhoods are "self-sustaining" but maybe this is in transition. Some have plenty of fabulous restaurants, but their residents drive to VA to buy clothes, lamps, towels, and groceries.
European cities have metro systems that stop every few blocks and cover the entire city. We have basically only 3 lines that go through NoVA with stops that generally are farther apart, so people don't have all the options to go car-free that they would have in Europe. This is partly because the metro system is seen as partially a public good that everyone benefits from (which is true) and so partial tax support is seen as appropriate. I would like us to evolve more to that system. This metro area is much too big, and growing, for so few metro lines. I understand the huge costs and political difficulties. But I think it is the ultimate solution.
20 mins is not going to ruin chilled or frozen food. Might be a little risky for ice cream but for anything else you're good.
I'm single (no kids, no family) and I drive an SUV. I don't need to have a family because I have animals that I transport - and I'm not transporting them in a Ford Festiva. Also, I'm tall and I don't like crouching down to get into sedans or coupes. It sucks So whether I have alpacas, dogs, babies or not, I'll probably always drive an SUV because I find other cars to be to small for my liking.
If you have to transport animals, that's obviously a consideration.
But as for simply wanting to be in a huge car b/c you're tall, you'd be S.O.L. in Europe. They have tall people, but they just deal.
20 mins is not going to ruin chilled or frozen food. Might be a little risky for ice cream but for anything else you're good.
You have to allow at least 10 minutes in the store after you've put the item in your cart, shopped for other stuff, and waited in the checkout line. No one is going to walk 20 minutes to/from the store for one item and be able to count on an instant checkout.
I wouldn't risk having refrigerated or frozen stuff out of chilled air 30 mins.
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