Some timely tips from an Alaskan journalist: http://arcticglass.blogspot.com/2007/12/snow-riding-tips.html

When I talk about commuting options for downtown employees the childcare/preschool issue inevitably comes up.

So at the request of many folks getDowntown has compiled a list of childcare and preschool options in the downtown/near downtown.

Check it out here: www.getdowntown.org/resources/Childcare_and_Preschool.html 

and let us know if we’ve missed anything.

So I’ve been thinking more about more about the link between global warming and what I do here at getDowntown.

Well, as many of you know, driving a car puts a lot of greenhouse gases into the air, which is bad.   And also, as many of you know, most other forms of commuting (busing, biking, walking, carpooling) are much better for the environment.

But what is even better about commuting by walking and biking is that you get exercise at the same time.  That’s a very good thing.  Especially during this time of year when there is no end to the yummy treats.

Well, I’m not alone in touting the health and green benefits of what is now termed “active commuting”.  I just happened to stumble upon an Alternet article today that directly links the health benefits of active commuting with the environmental benefits of leaving your car at home.  A paragraph from the article clearly makes this argument:

“The average person walking half an hour a day would lose about 13 pounds a year. And if everyone did that instead of driving the same distance, the nation would burn a total of 10.5 trillion calories, according to the scientist, formerly with the University of California at Berkeley. At the same time, that would cut carbon dioxide emissions by about the same amount New Mexico produces, he said. ”

For the entire article, click here: http://www.alternet.org/healthwellness/67708/

While I thought the article was good, I can’t help but continue to think about a major issue I face at getDowntown with promoting biking and walking to work.

It’s that many people choose to live too far away to  make walking or biking feasible.  Now I know we talk about there being an affordable housing issue in Ann Arbor which makes it hard for many people to live close to the downtown, but most of the people I know who have made the decision to live far away from work don’t have a problem affording a house in Ann Arbor.

Many people still want to live the country life and work where they please.  While I am not suggesting we limit where people live, I wish there were more incentives (and yes, cheaper options) to encourage people to live closer to their work.  That way, we could do better by the planet and do better by our own health.

I remain hopeful since I also know many folks who have intentionally moved to houses that are within walking and biking distance of their jobs.  Perhaps at some point I can tell some of their stories here.  In the meantime, all of this stuff gives one pause to think.

From the BBC:

“Bicycles may be the most popular two-wheeler on India’s roads, but the millions who use them to commute and to transport goods and family in India’s towns and villages certainly don’t wear white helmets, fluorescent jackets or biking gloves.

Through his attire and vehicle of choice, Mr Dasarathi, 48 and director of a software products development company, makes a potent statement for an alternative mode of daily transport in the choked roads of India’s Silicon Valley.”

Read the article here: India’s Techies Take to Cycling 

From the Michigan Mountain Biking Association:

The Red Cross is looking for donations of used bikes for a youth program run through the Washtenaw County Chapter. If you have a bike that you could donate please see below.

Donate your new, used, or damaged bikes to be restored and then gifted to local youth who would otherwise be unable to own a quality bike.

The bike repairs will be completed by the American Red Cross Youth Community Action Team (YCAT) and repaired bikes will find homes with children who need them most in Washtenaw County.

To donate bikes, time or tools…

Please Contact:

Jared Meldrum
Youth Coordinator
American Red Cross
(734) 971-5300 ext. 208
Email: jared.meldrum@wc-redcross.org
Or deliver bicycles to the Red Cross Chapter at 4624 Packard Road