Councilmember starts Car-free Challenge for Albany
Bikers are ubiquitous in the town of Albany, which prides itself on being one of the “greenest” cities in California. “Being Green” is in fashion. Albany Councilmember Farid Javandel has signed up for a Car-Free Challenge recently, and resolved to drive no more than 30 miles for the month of June. Can he really achieve that goal? Is it possible for the whole town to follow suit? Here is what Javandel says about his car-free endeavors:
“…my commute to work in Berkeley which is usually by bike, sometimes by bus if the weather is bad… I have not driven myself to work since I started my current job a year ago. “
“My plan for the month was no car trips for work and I’m having no trouble with that. All my projected car miles were for weekend outings with the kids. So on Friday night I tried to think if there was a good way to get two adults and two kids to our friends house 1 mile away for the evening without using the car. My wife worries enough if I ride my bike alone at night, so taking the bike trailer with two little boys was not a good choice. Taking the bus would involve walking about two thirds of the distance any way in addition to spending an unknown amount of time standing on a street corner with 4 and 6 year old boys who don’t like to hold still for more than about 10 seconds at a time. Walking would be an option except that the boys are often asleep by the time we head home and I’ve no desire to carry 100+ pounds for a mile…”
Click to read the full story 10 days, 2 kids, 1 car trip = 2 miles on Javandel’s blog. He has invited the other Councilmembers to participate in the Challenge at a recent meeting, and started an Albany Team on TransformCA.org.
Since I moved to Albany 2 years ago, I have not once driven myself to work in Berkeley. I ride my bike almost everyday (sometimes BART, sometimes Bus). I think more people should do it.
Bicycles change the nature of errands to something richer.
Go Farid! Thank you for being willing to take this step. It does take some thinking and planning to minimize your car trips, but once you do, the benefits of walking and biking are immediately apparent, as you note – more exercise (and therefore feeling better), seeing the sights, and being more a part of your community. I’m thrilled to see the city administrator signed up for this as well.
I urge the rest of the city councilmembers to join in this challenge. You can set your own goals. And, as Transform says, your participation will “support its work to create world-class public transportation and walkable communities in the Bay Area and beyond”. Transform has been working closely with Albany and the schools to administer the Safe Routes to School programs here.
This is awesome! Way to go! Keep on inspiring all of us to keep on rollin’
This ‘car free’ plans is commendable, but works well only for those who are physically able to cycle or walk, locally.
Have any of you actually tried to use the local buses? They are dangerous for those of us who are seniors or are disabled.
The last time I was on an AC transit, I had a very uncomfortable experience. Seems you have to be fit and agile to access the seats.
It’s hard to do so, safely, with arthritis and other disabling complications.