While sitting in
rush-hour traffic, I often find myself dreaming about futuristic, space-age
capsules that might get me out of the rush-hour routine. My daydream is fun,
but not necessary. Minnesotans have many options for moving around, here and
now. By driving alone less
often, we reduce the number of vehicles on the road and save money. It also
improves our social life and the quality of the air we breathe.
Live closer to work. When it is time to move, consider a home that is close to your
daily destinations. By doing so, you may even be able to reduce the number of
cars in your household. According to a number of bicycle and pedestrian
infrastructure studies, eliminating one of two cars owned by a household saves
an average of $7,000 annually.
Carpool or vanpool. Carpooling cuts commuting costs and may be more convenient than
you think. There are many resources that offer services or simple suggestions:
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Car share. Within the U.S., we
have more vehicles per capita than anywhere else in the world: a whopping 809
vehicles per 1,000 people. By sharing a car with others, you can eliminate the
worry of insurance, payments, gas, and maintenance. Within the Twin Cities, Zipcar and
HourCar
have the largest fleet of vehicles that are available around-the-clock. To use
one of these vehicles, simply sign up for a monthly membership and register the
car you would like to use for a particular day and time.
Bicycle share. Growing in popularity
is Nice Ride,
a non-profit bicycle organization with stations all over the metro area. Simply
purchase a subscription, take a bicycle, ride and return. The service is ideal
for short trips that are less than five miles. For example, if you carpool or
bus to work, Nice Ride is a great way to take a short ride during lunch. With
bike sharing, you will never have to worry about maintenance, either!
Find the best route. Cyclopath is an app within the Twin Cities
that promotes the sharing of knowledge in regards to bicycle route changes,
detours, shortcuts, obstacles, etc. You can also take advantage of the
‘personalized bikeability’ feature that allows you to enter ratings for your
favorite (or least favorite) routes within Minneapolis and Saint Paul.
Cyclopath is available as a mobile app for Android devices. Pedal Minnesota,
a website launched in 2012, also features various bicycle tips, trails, travel
ideas, and events.
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Utilize public
transit. Public transit is a
viable alternative to automobile use within the seven county metro and greater
Minnesota. Transit users get more daily exercise and have more time to read
or decompress than their driving counterparts.
- Metro Transit,
one of the largest transit agencies in the nation, offers over 150 routes,
providing roughly 95% of all bus trips taken annually. All route schedules
can be found on Metro Transit’s website.
- Many
other transit agencies within the seven-county metro area provide
connecting service for commuters. Some providers include, Minnesota Valley
Transit Authority, Plymouth
MetroLink, Maple Grove Transit and Southwest
Transit.
- Arrive Minnesota is a general
informational service that provides access to all transportation modes,
including walking, bicycling, train, boat and air. The site also offers a
feature that allows you to plan a trip using multiple transportation
options.
- For
other transit services throughout greater Minnesota, simply check with
your local city to see what options are available.
Explore other options. Many paths across the state are paved, allowing not only
bicyclists but also those interested in rollerblading, walking, scooting and
Segway-ing. In fact, statewide many businesses provide rentals for all sorts of
transportation options, including rollerblades, bicycles, Segways, kayaks and
canoes. Be creative!
Be daring and do the alternative!
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The 31st annual Twin
Cities Watermelon Ride is a family-friendly event that celebrates
Independence Day with bicycling, watermelon and a picnic, July 4, start riding
anytime between 7:30-10 a.m., Battle Creek Park (Maplewood).
If you enjoy the
scenic North Shore of Lake Superior, take part in the 36th annual Split Rock Bicycle Tour. It's open to all
levels of riders and great for a family adventure, July 21, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.,
Duluth.
The Minnesota
Historical Society’s Mendota Walking Tour provides a unique
opportunity to explore some of Minnesota’s history on foot, June 17, July 22,
and August 19, 1-2:30 p.m., Sibley House Historic Site (Mendota).
Canoe the Mississippi River Water Trail with a
park naturalist from Itasca and Lake Bemidji state parks. The northern
stretches of the Mississippi River provide ample opportunity for novice
canoeists to explore the lure of such a mighty waterway, June 16 or July 7, 10
a.m.-3 p.m., Lake Bemidji State Park (Bemidji).
Check out Minnesota Monthly’s interactive map, featuring
attractions along the Minneapolis’ Hiawatha Light Rail. This map is unique in
the way it highlights activities and destinations along the 12-mile route. The
map also provides information regarding what you need to know when using the
light rail.
Venture out to this
year’s Eco Experience at the State Fair. Exhibitors
will be displaying bike maintenance demos, state-wide transit options, and
local information about bus and rail, August 23-September 3, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.,
Minnesota State Fair Grounds (Saint Paul).
Thank you for reading
Living Green 365. This newsletter is a publication of the Minnesota Pollution
Control Agency. Please send questions or comments about living green to the
address below.
Sincerely,
Kirstin Taggart, Britt
Gangeness, and the Living Green Team
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