by Larry Lagarde

For most Americans, driving a motor vehicle is simply an unavoidable fact of life. Due to the lifestyle choices we've made regarding where we live, work, learn, shop & play, the miles we must cover to get to all those places make puttering around in the trusty, personal SUV, truck, minivan or car the only way to do it all. Yet, factors like crazy long commutes, rising fuel costs & flat suburban property values are calling this lifestyle into question. The key is recognizing that these habits ARE choices.

Even when they become bad habits, old habits are hard to break; nevertheless, there are other ways to live - and live well. There are communities where the office, home, school, stores, restaurants & more are just minutes away by bicycling or even walking. Typically, these places are known as inner cities.

For about 50 years, an exodus away from inner cities turned these once vibrant places into areas of blight; however, winds of change are now reversing that trend. Vacant, neglected inner city structures like warehouses & factories are being reborn as living space with all the conveniences of city living just steps away. Hip empty nesters, retirees & young professionals have been snapping up space in these often pricey developments. Young parents in search of more family time, lower living costs and appreciating property values are bravely reclaiming delapidated homes in rough inner neighborhoods. Programs across the country are even making it safer to bike or walk to school.

Ultimately, we as individuals are responsible for our own happiness. When something turns sour, either we can settle for a lower standard of living or attempt to improve it. Personally, I'd rather try to improve and know that I did my best; I rest better at night. (Photo: renewal in Camden, NJ)

I'd like to mirror a call I recently made to readers of Centerlines (the e-newsletter of BikeWalk.org). If you know of a neighborhood or shopping district that is especially friendly to pedestrians and bicyclists, tell me about it, where it's located and what makes it so great for pedestrians & cyclists. I will post the info here and personally share your example with city planners looking to rebuild a better New Orleans.

Labels: pedestrian_friendly_places