Ecologue

Today, September 22, 2010, the Corvallis and OSU communities will join with people across the globe to participate in World Car Free Day – a time for individuals and communities to come together to explore the benefits of walking, biking, and using public transit and other non-automobile forms of transportation to get us where we need to go.

There are plenty of good reasons to use alternative transportation:

• Save Money: AAA estimates that the full cost of driving (includes gas, maintenance, insurance, taxes and more) is 54¢ per mile for a medium-sized sedan.  A full-year parking pass at OSU costs $255.
• Improve Your Health: According to WebMD, biking at a medium pace burns over 350 calories per hour, while leisurely walking can burn over 250 calories per hour.  Exercise also relieves stress and improves overall well-being.
• Reduce environmental impacts: Automobiles are the largest source of carbon monoxide emissions in the nation, and are significant emitters of air pollution components like hydrocarbons, nitrous oxides and particulates.  Every time a gallon of gasoline is burned, 20 lbs of CO2 are emitted into the atmosphere.
• Connect with Your Community: Driving in a car alone can be an isolating experience.  Biking, walking and riding the bus offer opportunities to interact with your community.
• Reduce infrastructure costs: The more people that use alternative transportation, the fewer parking lots the institution needs to build and maintain.

There will be activities at various sites throughout the day, culminating in a Car Free Day Festival at the Wednesday Farmers Market (3:00 to 7:00 pm at 2nd and B), with plenty of food, music, information, and entertainment.  For more information on OSU’s role in World Car Free Day, please see the event website at http://oregonstate.edu/sustainability/world-car-free-day.  For those who must drive, consider carpooling or vanpooling.

Also happening during the month of September is the Bike Commute Challenge, a statewide event designed to encourage bicycling through friendly competition between individuals and organizations.  Numerous prizes are awarded throughout the competition.  For more information or to enroll, please go to http://bikecommutechallenge.com/.