Bikes and buses can save the day. In the video Mayor of Bogota on Public Transportation, Enrique Peñalosa explains the problem with traffic is due to the number of vehicles, not the size of the road. With that conclusion, he took action. Bus routes, with an efficient way to pay, were built and bike paths were paved, nicer than some of Bogota's pot hole infected roads. Peñalosa limits parking although his citizens are not happy about the restriction. The people protest, proclaiming parking is a right, but in all actuality, parking is not a right, according to Peñalosa.
This shift in transportation aided those impoverished, they had no car but refused to bike because before the shift, Colombians saw bike riding as a sign of poverty. After the paths have been paved though, biking became more "mainstream", as many people, rich or poor, began to cycle around the city more and more.
Watching this video, I felt inspired. It seemed the Colombian citizens were pretty cooperative with the slight change and it made me wonder why this is not more pronounced in the United States. I know there are buses and bike paths laid out alongside the roads however, even with the restricted parking in the city the traffic is so congested and chaotic, one would not have thought the alternative transportation was effective.
As I think about limiting vehicle transportation I realize how beneficial it would be for the earth as well. Less cars means less gas used and less toxic chemicals floating in the air that cause pollution. I feel this would let the earth breath again, if only a little bit but nonetheless breath. Having people bike more often to the places they need to get to can increase their physical activity and get them outside more often. Now, I know there would be many difficulties for some people traveling to the city that need a car, either because they need a lot of room for objects, have a large family, or coming from far away, but that does not mean that alternative transportation should not be attempted for awhile.
All in all, I thought the increase in alternative transportation is a beautiful idea and action to partake in especially because it is another step ahead in "going green" or simply helping the earth. Cars today are widely used, I know this just by looking out my window or going someplace and seeing hundreds upon hundreds of cars in one day. Even I use a car since that is the normal way to transport and I would feel uneasy letting it go, as hypocritical as that sounds, so I imagine others would be very hesitant with an alternative transportation movement. However, just because something may be out of our comfort bubble, does not mean that we should not try it. We adjust to change all the time, so I'm sure if a large enough amount of people wanted to find a way to make buses, trains, or bikes more widely used, the shift in transport would eventually become normal. Everything takes time and a lot of effort and failing along the way. Our problem today is we want everything right away and give up the first time something does not go our way, but that is a problem for another blog.
side note: I found the video on my college writing professor's blog (thanks for posting it Dr. K, I really enjoyed it!!)
