The view from my frequent Brooklyn Bridge walk
I can drive. That is, I’m physically capable of driving, but I just don’t. There are many factors that have contributed to this state of affairs, including having lived most of my life in New York City where I don’t need it, knowing somebody who killed a man when he was first learning to drive, and preferring a more contemplative way of getting to where I’m going. It has been a life-changing decision.
The way people who don’t live in New York look at me when I tell them I’m car-free is possibly my favorite part of the whole pedestrian scenario. I’ve considered a photo project that involves shots of their faces in vehicular-related shock after my mobility revelation. They treat me as though I were maimed after that, their voices dropping to a gentler decibel as they ask, wide-eyed, “So how do you get around?”
Aside from walking or the rare car ride, I employ a little thing called public transportation, which exists in all kinds of places that people wouldn’t expect. Although I don’t do it solely for green reasons, I’m also not displeased with the reduction of my carbon footprint—especially since my non-carbon footprint remains none too dainty.
There are certain ways that my buggy-free lifestyle has made me see the world differently. For one thing, there's a lot more room for looking as a walker or passenger. Where non-pedestrian transportation is concerned, I can’t necessarily tell you what roads to take, but I am an expert in rippled bodies of water, changing leaves, peculiarly shaped trees, bus-window-framed building tops, and, my favorite, the startled, smiling, nose-picking people in the cars beside me.
I also like to walk, to slow things down, to pass the scenery around me at a pace leisurely enough to enable actual seeing, to dwell on marginalia that would be lost in the whizzing world of cars. I realize that it may one day be necessary for me to drive regularly, and I’m fully prepared to do so, but for now I’ll be walking. See you on the side of the road. I’ll be the one stooping down to look at something inconsequential to everyone else.
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A road improvement project in my (suburban) neighborhood is likely to add a much needed crosswalk and traffic light. One result is that the school district is no longer going to send a bus to take kids less than half a mile to school because there will be a safe way to walk.
The hue and cry from parents is truly pathetic. The idea that the kids will have to walk (less than half a mile on flat roads with sidewalks and crossing guards), that parents might have to walk smaller kids to school (less than half a mile on flat roads with sidewalks and crossing guards) is utterly antithetical to the whole idea of the suburbs, it seems.
I like it. But I'm in the minority.
But one of these days, I've gotta walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.
r
And that is a might good set of things in which to have expertise. (Well, maybe not the last one . . . )
When I left New York City, two things happened immediately: (1) My stress levels went way up because I was no longer walking 2 hours a day (2) I gained 20 pounds because I was no longer walking 2 hours a day.
I envy you the walk at rush hour on an unexpectedly snowy day, when traffic is at a standstill, and you are moving freely. Don't lose this gift: you own the streets.
Thanks for the opportunity to reminisce.
The Sex in the City episode where the girls go to LA kinda tries to reproduce it, but of course it's not nearly as funny.
I like walking too. but around here, we mostly ride our bikes.
Robin: yup, a national forest doesn't seem car friendly
cartouche: it's so true. I figure out where I'm going in a very pedestrian way.
Linda: thank you. It's too bad there isn't better public transportation in certain places.
Owl: it's the little things we'll remember
Duane: Yeah, it just doesn't work in certain places, unfortunately.
froggy: that's so funny that the parents are up in arms over that!
aaroncynic: cars really do add to stress and road rage.
Chulacabra: good for you for introducing your kid to that way of getting around
Caroline: there's nothing not to like!
Cranky: 5 days in LA without a car? good for you!
anna1liese: glad to hear it.
Poppi: probably so!
Grace: I will keep up the walking way of life. Thanks for reading.
Matt: Thank you, my friend
AtHomePilgrim: even the last one:)
Bellwether: at least you live within waling distance of the library
Divorce Bard: I do like owning the streets
snarkychaser: I hate and love those faces
L in the Southeast: exactly. walking and subway are the fastest ways for sure
trilogy: ooh alternate side parking is a bitch
Shannon: I LOVE that Annie Hall car scene!
I think this is similar to those who live in remote parts of the country who rely on a gun for protection of family and property, because they would be long dead waiting for the 911 response from the state police or sheriff's deputy. Gun ownership in New York would seem out of place to a long time New Yorker because of the density of population and proximity of the police.
This is part of the diversity of our nation that we don't always appreciate and your non-driving post speaks to our diversity in a much less polarizing way than gun ownership does. But there are similar parallels nonetheless. Apologies for my rambling but I see the connections today.
Caracalla: you've found one of my weak points--numbers.
OEsheepdog: now that's an interesting thought. I'll be pondering that one for awhile, I can tell.