Alternative Transportation
"To me, however, the question of times resolved itself into a practial question of the conduct of life. How shall I live?" -R.W. Emerson
I'm pretty convinced that the major impacts that I have on my local environment comes from my housing, eating, and transportation. I really have been thinking abut the effects that farming and fishing has on where I live, and I can't say I like it. I also can't say that I've figured out a generally sustainable alternative. It seems that once you say "eat less meat" and "buy organic" you've just about said all you can usefully say. (though I'm starting to believe there are good cases for wild meat (graphic link). I also think that the way most houses are built and communites planned is about the most insane thing I've come accross, but I frankly don't have the money to do anthing creative myself yet. So; until I can put up...
In the meantime, I can look at my daily transportation needs and try to pick the right tool for the job, where low total energy consumption is part of the job.
The Quiver
The bike. A good mountain bike is a thing of beauty and a joy to behold. Mine is also nice. It's a nameless old Cannondale from the early ninties wearing a mixture of LX and XT. Yes, that's a Mag21. Yes, I'm racing on it.
The Xtracycle This is an insanely great invention that I break out for toting bales to the lab, hitting the farmers market, refilling scuba tanks, or (if I'm feeling especially burly) going surfing. I recommend it; they did good. Attaches to most "normal" framed bikes. Oh! The Xtracycle has gone to live with Mike Boller. Fare well, Xtra!
The Volvo 240 DL wagon. A Sport utility vehicle with actual utility.
1985 BMW K100RS. The big bike. Motorcycles are a great single person vehicle. I use this for heading up to campus or up to the cit-tay or for carrying middle-weight crap (heavier than I'd like to bike, not heavy enough to justify breaking out a 5 person vehicle) . Carries two in style and comfort. As our engineer John Lee says, "It's the only way to get 50 mpg while sucking the doors off a Porshe."
