Driving Should Be an Option—And So Should Walking

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San Diego traffic
San Diego traffic
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US Route 29 in Virginia
US Route 29 in Virginia
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This Denver development has well-connected streets
This Denver development has well-connected streets
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“People Habitat” by F. Kaid Benfield delves into various aspects of current American cities, finding weak points and setbacks, then gives hope and fresh ideas to remedy them.
“People Habitat” by F. Kaid Benfield delves into various aspects of current American cities, finding weak points and setbacks, then gives hope and fresh ideas to remedy them.

The way our cities and suburbs are structured hampers healthy lifestyles. In People Habitat: 25 Ways to Think About Greener, Healthier Cities (People Habitat Communications, 2014), F. Kaid Benfield outlines aspects of our current environment, infrastructure and culture that we can change to encourage healthier and greener living, while pointing out discrepancies to pay attention to, from the cathartic overuse of “green” to gloss over environmentally destructive products or places to foster walkability. The following excerpt is from Chapter 16, “Driving Should Be an Option.”

Americans’ high driving rates contribute mightily to economic waste and environmental degradation. Yet we have built a country in which most people have few alternatives. What can we do in our built environment to turn things around? Fortunately, research provides some clear answers.

Driving Should Be an Option

I like cars and I like driving. Those who know me well know I’m telling the truth and, if you’re looking for a purist manifesto, you’ve found the wrong book. In fact, maybe it’s my 1960s North Carolina upbringing, but I like nice cars and have always managed to have one, thank you very much.

What I would not like, though, is being dependent on a car for every single thing I need or want to do. I also like public transit when it’s working well—I’ve literally met some of my best friends while on public transportation—and I frequently use it for commuting. I love walking places, especially city places, and generally manage my daily chores other than commuting on foot. And I’m passionate about bicycling, too, though I ride for fitness, not everyday transportation. I guess you could say that I’m a multi-modal kind of guy, and I feel lucky that my living conditions allow me to practice a life of transportation-by-choice.

  • Published on Feb 10, 2015
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