register |  login
› LONGMONT
Loading Ad
Visit Other Hubs:
ADVERTISEMENT
Loading Tower
RECENT STORIES

The Ultimate Transportation

Contributed by: Donna Feldman on 11/5/2007

I went out walking one evening. Not unusual, but I turned it in to a trip to the grocery store, and on the way back, another stop for a bottle of wine. Most wine customers don't drag 4 bags of groceries down the aisles, so I explained to the clerk that I was walking from the grocery store, lest he think I was some bag lady. His concerned response was "How far do you have to go?" "Have to", as in walking is a terrible alternative to driving. Who would be walking to the store voluntarily?

Not to sound too airy fairy, but walking is Mother Nature's transportation. Humans are built to walk. Everyone is capable of walking, except for those people who can't walk due to a disability. I walk everywhere, and I've walked every possible path and trail in Louisville, as well as many in Lafayette and Boulder. There isn't any location in Louisville that isn't at least theoretically accessible by foot for anyone. Avista Hospital, Monarch High School, coffee shops, Kinkos, Home Depot, bagel stores, banks and both post offices - I've walked to them all. You could even walk to the Wild Oats shopping center, and Target, thanks to the new pedestrian bridge over the Boulder Turnpike.

I used to jog, and while I was jogging all I could think about was "I hate this. When can I stop?", at which point I'd usually start walking and feel guilty. No more. One of the great things about walking is you can think about more useful and constructive things. Some of my best writing or decision-making is done while walking. And thanks to technology, anyone can now do business while walking. Phone conversations, text messages, email, even webinar meetings or phone conferences are all possible while walking. Just try doing any of that while jogging.

The main problem with walking is that, here in the US, we treat walking as some kind of leisure, elitist activity. Walking paths meander here and there through open space and neighborhood parks. It's all lovely, but if you want to go to the grocery store, it's useless. The only sane way across South Boulder Road in Louisville is the pedestrian tunnel west of town. Not exactly convenient if you want to go to King Soopers. No, if you want to cross any main roads, you have to walk on sidewalks positioned 12 inches from the speeding metal projectiles, and then stand around waiting for the crossing light, while traffic whizzes by 1 foot away. Even in saintly Boulder, the only way to walk to the new 29th Street shopping district is across parking lots and on sidewalks 12 inches from speeding cars, and then stand around at a traffic light for 5 minutes while 6 lanes of metal projectiles whiz by.

Boulder County isn't lacking for great places to walk for leisure. But walking for transportation is another matter. It's made unpleasant and stressful by the way our roads and shopping districts are laid out. No wonder the store clerk thought my walk was a disagreeable chore. Real transportation means cars.


SUBMIT COMMENT

Rate the above story



Current Rating
Based on 4 user ratings.

Talk Back : submit comments to the story

*Note: you need to log-in to add a comment or rating.

Showing 1-4 of 4 comments
Submitted By: Nikki Britain
posted on 11/7/2007 @ 7:50:35 AM
Rated Story
Two months after moving to San Francisco for college, I got rid of my car. I walked everywhere for five years. It was WONDERFUL!! Good blog!
[Report as objectionable]
Submitted By: Michael Rule
posted on 11/7/2007 @ 7:04:25 AM
Rated Story
When I was bicyling through New mexico years ago I would see the Hopis walking.....in the middle of nowhere. They would always smile and wave at me. Castle Rock is a bit of a joke for walkers, as everything is set up so far from everything else. Take The Meadows for instance (please take it!). You cannot walk to the local grocery store. there isn't one. Good blog.
[Report as objectionable]
Submitted By: Gene Boshell
posted on 11/7/2007 @ 5:40:12 AM
Rated Story
When I first started at the gym 3 blocks from my house I would joke with friends about what a pain parking was at the gym ... until I figured out that they actually though I was DRIVING! Perhaps if it's really cold or rainy, but not as a rule! Why bother going to the gym if you can't even walk 3 blocks ... and what's up with all those who will try for front-row parking at the gym?!?
[Report as objectionable]
Submitted By: Bill Prather
posted on 11/6/2007 @ 8:01:28 PM
Rated Story
Walking is great! And you're right, it beats running any day. You know what, my daughter can't walk because of CP, but she loves to "walk" with me and my wife!
[Report as objectionable]
Showing 1-4 of 4 comments
CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Donna Feldman

Louisville , CO

Donna Feldman has posted 130 stories and 1 comment since joining on 9/14/2005. Donna Feldman 's average story rating is 4.91.
SAVE AND SHARE THIS STORY
STORY RSS FEEDS
WANT TO WRITE FOR YOURHUB.COM?
Want to see the stories you write and the photos you shoot featured in the YourHub.com Thursday print section available all over the Front Range and with home subscriptions of the Rocky Mountain News and The Denver Post? All you have to do is register, then post a story or column, start a blog or tell everyone what events are happening in town. We will print the best stories, columns, event listings, photos and blog entries in our print sections.

ADVERTISEMENT
Loading Ad

Loading Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Loading Ad

This YourHub.com community is produced by The Denver Newspaper Agency
Web Development and Channel Analytics provided by Indigio

terms of use //  privacy policy
the staff //  advertise //  help & faq
buy photos