Low Car Diet - Rain? Really?
So, things on the Low Car Diet have essentially gone according to plan. Karol and I are both really enjoying the bonus exercise we're getting from walking and riding the bus and Max are easy. But today, a few raindrops have reminded us what it might be like to do the low-car commute ... in 8 months of the year when its raining.
I, for one, have no clue where my umbrella is. Probably in the same place I left it that last day it rained in June. As my thoughts turn to actually using a Zip-Car to get around town, I have to admit that I was pretty bummed to learn that the closest Zip Car is oh, 1.6 miles from my house. Observe:
I've emailed the folks at Zip Car to see if they have any plans to add new cars to my neighborhood and it sounds like they're thinking about it. Will the car be there in the next few weeks while I'm still on the low-car diet? Probably not.
It sort of brings home how much easier "green" transportation options are for people without kids (and singles/families who live close-in). By myself, I'm perfectly happy to make a 1.6 mile jaunt to get a car. With my family, and legally required booster seats and such, not so much. I'd rather take the bus, or for long trips, my personal vehicle(the shock! the horror!).
From a purely practical standpoint, getting families on board the sustainability train is essential to making a dent in our global warming reduction goals. It's not that families can't ditch the car, they can. It's just more difficult for them, and the higher the bar, the fewer families will actually take the plunge.
Posted on July 29, 2008
Comments
(Note: Comments are the views of their authors, and no one else.)
Posted by: Terry Parker - July 29, 2008 03:07 PM
Zip Car parking spaces need to be off the streets and on private property.
Article I, Section 20, “Equality of privileges and immunities of citizens” in the Oregon Constitution states: “No law shall be passed granting to any citizen or class of citizens privileges, or immunities, which, upon the same terms, shall not equally belong to all citizens.” Therefore, the reserved parking spaces provided Zip Car on public streets is a special privilege that is in violation of the Oregon Constitution. Furthermore, Article XI, Section 9, “Limitations on powers of county or city to assist corporations” reads: No county, city, town or other municipal corporation, by vote of its citizens, or otherwise, shall become a stockholder in any joint company, corporation or association, whatever, or raise money for, or loan its credit to, or in aid of, any such company, corporation or association.” By providing exclusive reserved parking spaces on taxpayer funded public streets, the City of Portland becomes a defacto stockholder of Zip Car providing many of the locations, places of business, the company uses to rent cars. The company profits because they receive a special privilege from the City. By allowing this violation to take place, the Oregon Constitution is simply being ignored by the socialist attitudes of elected officials that want to dictate lifestyles, housing choices and how people are mobile.
I too live in the Rose City Park Neighborhood and believe in the freedoms this country was built upon, including my choice of transport. There are already enough vehicles that are regularly parked on the streets in this, my neighborhood, in part because all residences do not have off street parking and/or enough off street parking. I have no use for Zip Car, want my neighborhood to be constitutionally correct, and I do not want more vehicles, specifically theirs (Zip Cars) with reserved parking spaces taking up the open spaces on the streets any where near where I live.
Posted by: M3house - August 14, 2008 06:20 AM
Terry,
More Zip cars means less other cars. Instead of individuals owning cars it is many people sharing one car. So according to the end you seek more Zip cars in public parking spaces is actually the solution. Besides, immediate gratification will eventually rot your soul- or just increase smog.
Jeff,
If you drive your car to the Zip car wouldn't that still be better? On nice days you could quickly bike to it.