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What's so special about Bostonians and Portland Oregonians? They lead the nation with the most people who walk to work, and the most who bike, respectively. Around 4.2 percent of all Portland residents biked to work in 2007 (and that's even down from 4.4 percent in 2006), according to a US Census survey. The same survey shows that an impressive 12.5 percent of Bostonians walk to work regularly.
And while neither of those numbers are earth-shattering, they both provide a positive example to the un-walking, un-biking country. And how is the rest of that un-walking, un-biking country getting to work every day? Come on, summon all of your powers of deduction, and all your knowledge of American culture, and give it a guess.
They drive.
Big surprise. Up to 77 percent of Americans still drive to work every day, and only 4.7 percent take public transit. And the trends have held since 2005, when the last survey was conducted. All this means that the anger at Big Oil, concern about global warming, and rising gas prices still haven't really dented our desire to drive.
But let's pay attention to the Bostonians and the Oregonians—and maybe their trends will begin to catch on. But we have to make it happen. So get yourself a bike (you'll make up its cost in gas money savings in a matter of days or months—depending on the bike). Get yourself some exercise attire, and bring a change of clothes. Bike to work. Enjoy the morning invigoration. Or, wake up a little earlier, and see how nice a morning walk can be before the anxiety and chaos of your day sets in.
Walking and biking are the two greenest ways to commute, hands down. So let's follow by example and green our national idea of daily transit.
More on Biking and Walking:
Ugly Sneakers Generate Power While You Walk
Celebrate Bike to Work Day : Biking Commuting
Ask the EcoGeek: Walking Worse than Driving? No.
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