Tag Archives: public transportation
CARS, Cars, and more cars?
Cars have enabled most of what we enjoy today. They have given us far greater mobility than ever before and to do it in great comfort and convenience. But cars have created their on problems of traffic congestion, air pollution, and greenhouse gases. The drawbacks are starting to outweigh its benefits. Continue reading
City Growth – The Smart Way
There has been much discussion about growth in my community and its impacts upon the quality of life of residents. I live in Silicon Valley which is currently undergoing an upturn in high-tech job growth which is considered healthy for our economy. But we are paying a heavy price in traffic congestion which is impacting our quality of life with more street noise, greater difficulty in getting around town, less safe streets, and increased air pollution…. But what if the cities planned new high density housing along existing transit corridors leading to major job centers in our city? What if there was a development within walking or biking distance from a major work center like Apple or Google where there was a large affordable housing complex incorporating a shopping center, daycare, offices for doctors, lawyers, etc. and even a school and library… Continue reading
Posted in Environment, Transportation Alternative
Tagged affordable housing, air pollution, growth impact, high density housing, housing growth, impact, job growth, minimize impact, public transportation, quality of life, Silicon Valley, Smart Growth, traffic, traffic congestion, transportation alternatives
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Why would Anyone Be Against More Bicycles
I have been a bicycle advocate for the last 3 years because I feel that there are far too many cars on the road and bicycles can play an important role in reducing those numbers. I am also for public transport but feel that it will not work for my city due to urban sprawl with its maze of meandering streets and cul-de-sacs intended to offer more privacy for residents… Bicycles do not have this problem and neither do cars. The problem with cars is that they cause traffic which as our city rapidly grows is becoming a major problem. Continue reading
Sustainable Growth – A More Enduring Future
Today more than ever before many communities are feeling the effects of growth. Growth happens most in regions where there is a demand for jobs. For example in Silicon Valley in California many high-tech and social media companies flourish alongside community colleges and universities scattered throughout the region. Young students come from all over the country and world to study there and many are later offered jobs requiring their skills Others seeking job opportunities travel from all over the nation to take jobs there. But growth has consequences, especially rapid growth. Housing near jobs are in great demand and thus are expensive and unavailable. Since cars are almost the sole mode of transportation in the U.S. the roads and freeways become congested with people trying to commute to work from a distance. Continue reading
Much Ado about Going Nowhere
Cars are the primary mode of transportation in the U.S. even for short distances. But there are alternatives to the use of cars if we are willing to get off our seats and use some human power to move ourselves from one place to another. Ironically the U.S. has one of the greatest stores of transportation energy in the world but all we do is accumulate it to great excess. That energy is our body fat which is embarrassingly abundant and a major cause of medical complications such as diabetes, heart and coronary disease, skeletal problems, and added weight that our bodies are not designed to constantly bear. Continue reading
U.S. Public Transportation Failures
America’s love affair with their cars continues unabated as auto sales continue to increase making that industry and oil companies richer each year. Cars are among our most expensive and cherished possessions. But there are costs associated with car ownership … Continue reading
ouR Social Conscience 