The Alternative Travel Project

I wanted to take some time to write a post about a cause that's really inspiring to me, and fully aligns with the purpose of this blog by supporting health, happiness, and having a positive impact on the world. To preface, I'll tell you that I'm a huge fan of the T.V. show Castle, and therefore became a fan of Stana Katic. (Watch the show you guys, it's seriously so good.) In 2010 Stana started The Alternative Travel Project, and she's used her voice to turn it into a worldwide community. If you've never heard of it, congrats! I'm about to tell you how awesome it is. The Alternative Travel Project is a global initiative aimed at encouraging people to travel outside of the bubble of their car, even if just for one day. This means walking to get your Starbucks (you know it's not that far), biking to work, taking public transit to the market, etc. The benefits are plentiful, and apply to anyone and everyone.

For starters, and this is a big one, going car-free provides countless benefits for your health. The cardiovascular workout you get from walking and cycling reduces the risk of obesity, premature death, heart disease, depression, cancer, and so many more. Physical inactivity is one of the top causes of death in developed countries, and exercise is the cure we're not utilizing as we should. It's amazingly simple. Move more, live longer. Not only will you burn more fat (and who doesn't love that), but you'll increase your strength, stamina, and muscle tone. This kind of cardiovascular exercise also decreases stress and can make you more productive in your day to day life. To recap, regularly ditching your car can lead to a stronger, happier, healthier, less stressed you.

Not convinced yet? Let's talk about the advantages to the environment. We live in a car centric world, and it's clear that the impact driving has on the earth isn't a positive one. What you probably didn't realize is that cars are huge energy sucks even before they're on the road. They're massive piles of paint, plastic, steel, etc. and unfortunately at the end of their life, many of these plastics and other chemicals stay in the environment. You're probably thinking "I already own a car, so can't really fix this one.". So let's talk about the big one, fuel emission.

If everyone in the world went car free for one day, 11.7 million tons of CO2 would be saved! It takes over a billion trees (1,170,000,000) to absorb all of that CO2. One day car free, saves one billion trees. ATP

You like trees, right?

We are all very familiar with gas, and how much of it we use, but again, the energy suck process begins long before it makes its way into our gas tank. Extracting petroleum is a process that damages eco-systems, and shipping it consumes a lot of energy as well. Then there's the actual driving of the car, which emits smog, carbon dioxide, and other toxic chemicals. These go directly into the air we breathe, we can lead to huge health problems and premature death. Vehicles make up about 1/3 of all air pollution in the US, and you can have a positive impact on this number just by driving less.

A car driver uses more energy & creates more air pollution in just 4 years than a transit passenger will in 40 years! American Public Transport Association

Still sure you can't make it anywhere without your car? Let me hit you where it really hurts, your wallet. Going car-free saves you money!

Transportation is the second highest household expense for the average American. The annual cost of operating a bicycle is approximately $308 a year, which is less than the average monthly car payment. Smart Growth America

 You already know you spend far too much money on gasoline. Not to mention car insurance, general upkeep, unexpected costs for repairs, and paying for the car itself. Imagine not having to budget for gas money anymore, or even just lowering the amount of dollars you shell out for gas on a regular basis. You could use that money to buy things you actually enjoy, or save it for that vacation you've been dreaming about. Not only are you keeping more money in your wallet, your community saves as well. According to the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center, if just one out of every ten adults started a regular walking program, the U.S. could save $5.6 billion in health care costs - enough to pay for the college tuition of one million students. Also, the ATPA reports that biking and walking projects create twice as many jobs as highway projects.

You guys, I promise I'm trying to keep this blog a decent length, but it's hard when there are so many benefits supporting alternative travel. I could throw them at you all day. Instead I will tell you a bit about my personal ATP story, and then I'll leave you be, promise! 

When I first heard about the Alternative Travel Project, my commute to work was a modest five miles each way. I totally thought I wasn't making that big of a negative impact on the environment, because my drive was so short. Little did I know, 60% of the pollution created by automobile emissions happens in the first few minutes of operation, meaning that shorter car trips are more polluting on a per mile basis than longer trips (Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center). So, after reading more about ATP, I took the plunge. I got on my bike for the first time in years, and I biked to work. I won't lie, it was difficult, but it was also incredibly freeing. 

(before and after faces, it was totally worth it)

Once you're out there, you realize you have nothing to rely on but yourself. You are powering your movement. You are your vehicle. As I rode on the bike path right next to the freeway and I watched all of the cars, I couldn't help but feel like I was doing something right. I was having a positive impact, and I was getting some sunshine and my workout in while I did it. I also encountered people. Yes, real people! Not the kind that cut you off and don't know how to use a blinker. I smiled at and said "Hi!" to other cyclists, dog walkers, runners, etc. I noticed things about my community that I never noticed when I was trapped in the bubble of my car. 

I got to work feeling totally awesome, and when I got back home, I didn't have to spend 30 minutes in my room on a workout video, because I had spent nearly an hour on my bike. Had you asked me a year ago, I never would have expected that I'd ever commute to work by cycling. Trust me, if I can do it, you can do it!

If you want to keep up with this project, I encourage you to like their Facebook, follow them on Twitter and Instagram, and check out their super inspiring videos on YouTube. (Seriously, sometimes all it takes is watching one of those videos, and I'm thisclose to swearing off my car for good.) You can also check out their website, where you can see stories of other ATP'ers around the globe, and read more about the benefits and the origin of the cause. Please, consider busting out your bike, scooter, rollerblades, pogo stick, skateboard, or just use your feet and go explore your community. I'd love to hear your story if you do.