| My idea for becoming a one-car-family started when I began
to look for a way to become more environmentally proactive
on a daily basis. In a workshop, I heard about the book, Divorce
Your Car!, by Katie Alvord. Inspiration! Action!
In addition to reducing what Alvord calls the "single
most (environmentally) damaging consumer behavior", I
have increased the opportunity for activities I previously
couldn't fit into my schedule--bike riding, walking, interacting
with friends.
I work out of an office in downtown Ithaca, but I live with
my family several miles up, and then further up, West Hill.
Although it was my car that went by my choice and my sacrifice,
my remaining car-free has depended on the cooperation of many--my
partner (lots of coordination and sharing), my boss (providing
a company vehicle for job sites I can't reasonably reach on
my bike), my family and neighbors (riding the bus and carpooling).
It has been over a year now since my car and I parted. Although
it is sometimes a downright pain not to have my own car, I
love the variety of transportation I use. There's no bus route
to the top of Elm St. Ext., so now that it's Spring, you can
catch me taking the Bus 20 to Ecovillage & riding through
the fields to my home at Longhouse.
by Karen Zeiders
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