I think I can count on one hand how many times I’ve taken
public transportation in my life, and I really couldn’t tell you why besides I
never had to, which sounds horrible. I only drove to school and swim practice,
which all had reliable parking. Sonoma County isn’t hard to maneuver around,
and a lot of people are able to ride their bikes and carpool. I went to a
university which was bicycle and pedestrian populated, as our neighboring
college town was quite literally on the border of campus. I didn’t have to take
the bus or drive to school, and I got very used to being an active and
eco-friendly “commuter” during my undergrad.
Now that I’ve moved home and commute to work and make the
80-mile round-trip drive to USF twice a week, I have realized how sedentary I
have become. While I am very fortunate to have reliable transportation and am
able to live at home, I really have realized how big of an effect private
automobiles have on both our risk of obesity and other diseases related to our
sedentary lifestyles, but on our environment. Every day I see the traffic
crawling from Sonoma County to San Francisco, and that’s just a 40-mile
stretch. Once I am able to afford my own place, my goal is to work close enough
to home where I can take public transportation, or not spend as much time in
the car. I know that may be wishful thinking based on the housing market and
job opportunities, but I do want to do my part to reduce my own role in the
fuel emission crisis.
I noticed that I became way more sedentary once I moved home and started driving. It's definitely a huge health problem in developed countries. Once I graduate and secure a job, I want to move out of my parent's house. I totally understand what you mean by wishful thinking looking at the ever rising housing cost in the Bay Area...We shall see! Like you, I want to play a part in reducing the carbon footprint. My parents are so good at it! My mom buses to work and my dad bikes. I need to do my part!
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