EcoChallenge 2012

Alternative Transportation

portland streetcar photo

Many of us rely on our vehicle to get us from point A to point B, and it’s a habit that is hard to break. Do your body and the environment a favor by using alternative transportation! You’ll probably end up saving money too.

Use this list of suggestions to choose ways to accomplish your challenge, and don’t forget to update your profile on the EcoChallenge website to tell your friends and family about the ways you are achieving your EcoChallenge!

Looking for a little inspiration? Check out Meg O’Brien’s blog from her 2010 Transportation EcoChallenge.

For my EcoChallenge action(s), I will:

Use alternative transportation methods to get to work
Bike or walk to run errands within 1 mile of my house or work
Minimize my car trips by “chaining” together errands or by running errands on my way to/from work, instead of making a separate trip
Cut my average weekly mileage by 25% by focusing on essential car trips
Take the 2 mile challenge: I’ll bike or walk whenever I am going to be within a 2 mile radius
Take the train or streetcar 3 times a week on a trip where I would normally take my car
Carpool
Cut out the commute:I’ll work from home occasionally and bypass the commute entirely
Try a virtual meeting:instead of traveling for business, I’ll set up a video conference
Take my gym routine outside and exercise outside during the EcoChallenge instead of driving to the gym
Use human powered transportation for the entire 15 days of the EcoChallenge
Purchase offsets for any air travel I need to do--for work or pleasure
Examine the vehicles used by my company and advocate for fuel efficient vehicles

Resources:

More info on options for reducing car trips in Oregon and Southwest Washington
The latest resources on biking in the US
Use Google Maps to get transit and bike directions
In the market for a new or used car? Include fuel efficiency in your research
Info on how to get "plug-in ready", if you’re considering purchasing an electric vehicle