Walk or Bike to School or Work

Summary: Use your car less and walk or bike or use public transportation to get around to school or work

Description

Passenger vehicle car travel accounts for about 29 percent of a typical town's greenhouse gas emissions. About 40% of car trips are for commuting to work and 60% of car trips are for errands and other activities.

Make a commitment to walk or bike to work, school, or on a regular errand each week. Take your child to and from school, meet with friends, mail a package, and grocery shop--start with one and increase the number of carless errands over time. You also help keep Ashland businesses vibrant by walking or biking to the local stores and restaurants in your neighborhood. Apps such as Google Maps can make it easy by finding the best walking or biking routes and trip times. 

The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly, and walking and biking are both considered moderate exercise. Good for the environment and good for your health.

Deep Dive

Below are studies on transportation and climate change:

Driving is more expensive than you think (Harvard Gazette)

Commission on the Future of Transportation in Massachusetts 2020 Report (State of Massachusetts)

Assessing the potential for carbon emissions savings from replacing short car trips with walking and cycling using a mixed GPS-travel diary approach (ScienceDirect)  

Transportation and Climate Initiative (Transportation for Massachusetts)  

Transportation & Air Quality (State of Massachusetts) 

Green Vehicle Guide (Environmental Protection Agency)   

Steps to Take

1. Replace a drive to the gym with a walk around the neighborhood.
2. Commit to running errands on foot or by bike at least once a week. Support local businesses.
3. Walk your children to school regularly. Walking to school not only improves children's physical health, it improves their ability to concentrate.
4. Park once, shop twice. Are two places you want to visit within a short walk? Park at one and walk to the other.
5. Think before you drive. Could you walk or bike instead?
6. Be an advocate for walkable or bikeable cities, so roads and walkways can be designed to be safer for pedestrians and cyclists.