>>> Shifting Our Paradigm

The Four 'E's of our world...

2009-10-14T11:10:00.002-06:00

I've been way too busy with a number of activities, but this thought continues to surface and time to put it to print....

By now it is obvious to all of us that we are facing 4 elements that are all interconnected; Economy, Energy, Environment, and Education.

And of course as I start this, the phone rings... I'll be back

Price of OIL

2008-06-30T21:02:00.006-06:00

Today the price of a barrel of oil exceeded $143, but finally closed around $140. I can not fathom where this is all going with the fuel crisis, but the domino effect is clearly making itself known. Other services and products are creeping up. They have too! Price at the pump here finally exceeded $4.00 a gallon, after holding steady for weeks.

A shift in our paradigm is upon us, sooner than some expected... and not by choice.

Today I rode the city bus. First time, I will admit, in over 40 years! And guess what... it didn't kill me. Actually it was a good experience. I did have to do a bit of walking first, as I live over 2.5 miles from the bus stop near Harmony and JFK. That took me about 40 minutes to walk... and then I did have to wait about 15 minutes for the bus... I can adjust to the schedules. I may have to try it too with my bike, and cut some of that walking time. There it is again; that word... TIME. See my previous post.

Our buses are clean, modern, friendly, and efficient... on time, and moving people. I will try this again... especially if prices continue to escalate. And if the experts are correct, they will gradually continue up... $7 by WHEN? Does this mean when I retire that traveling America will be by bicycle? I will cancel any thought of joining a health club... it will come back as just routine, day-to-day practice.

Great story in the local media about the city's 'Bike Library'; it can't keep enough bikes in inventory to meet the demand. I hope this spills over and supports some of our local bike shops that have supported the whole bike library concept. Congrats to all the folks that have contributed to this effort!!

Don't forget your helmet... and a bus pass.

Affordable Streets & Highways

2008-04-26T12:46:00.013-06:00

The lower part of the sign needs emphasis...

As state and federal funding is becoming more scarce, more state and local governments are struggling to find resources to improve, and in some cases, even just maintain our transportation systems.

This is not news, but as I see it, a number of issues seem to be descending upon us in unison... decreasing government funding, peak oil predictions, increasing fuel costs, increasing material costs, climate change (I prefer climate chaos) and a national (global?) economy that is enough is get anyone's attention.

Shifting our paradigm won't be a matter of choice; it will be necessity for most of us. States are looking for ways to avoid the 'tax' label, and raise revenue by increasing vehicle registration fees, and increasing registration fees for older vehicles (as a method to also remove the older, more polluting vehicles) and adding toll gates to our highways. Of course, the argument that some people use to counter the toll proposition is that we already paid for those highways, without of course realizing that those roads are wearing out and need maintenance and replacement.

All the more reason to revisit my last post. Time to revisit our time management... how we spend our time, how and where we live, work, and play. A new vision of cities, nieghborhoods, transportation is emerging.

Are you ready?

Creeping Crisis gaining momentum

2008-04-04T12:33:00.006-06:00

Clearly, this sign is no laughing matter. Our 'Quietly Creeping Crisis' as it has been referred to, is upon us. It is quite obvious that our infrastructure is beginning to crumble, and with declining funding, and increasingly costly resources, it is time for a change. Our mobility issues that we have grown so comfortable with has to take a turn...

Witness the canary call with the Minnesota interstate bridge collapse. The fuel costs at your corner gas station. What 'level of service' (LOS) is your neighborhood streets keeping up with? Are revenues from the federal coffers and state keeping up with your highway travel demands? It is seriously time to explore other travel options that other parts of the country have used for decades... like trains, light rail, buses, and car pooling.

Time to dust off the old bicycle, pump up the tires, and check the fit on your helmet.

Time to check the transit schedules and learn the ins & out of these systems.

Time to look for comfortable walking shoes and ramp up walking strides

Time to consider telecommuting from home a few days each month

Time to car pool when you can to the office, or community meetings, etc.

Time to logistically evaluate the kids activities; who is driving tonight to baseball and scout meetings?

The issue here may come down to ...

TIME...

We have taken the car in the driveway for granted so long that most of us don't know any other way to live. So now... especially with climate change breathing down our necks at an increasing pace, we need to re-think our daily activities and habits.

So what can you & I change first?

Welcome

2008-03-28T11:27:00.000-06:00

New and Old

This is a new blog regarding an ancient issue... Mobility

We have reached a point that adding more streets and highways is not the answer. Managing and maintaining the current system is outpacing our ability to afford them.