NewVA Moves

Front Page News

RIDE Solutions received some attention in Jeff Sturgeon's front-page exploration of the options being used by area commuters to defray increasing gas prices.  Some quick things to mention:

Jeanine Hall, the Smartway passenger, mentions the benefits of destressing on the bus.  I think this facet deserves a lot more attention.  While its true that using public transit requires some planning to work with the bus schedule, and in some cases might take longer than driving alone, you can do a lot more on the bus - even if its just closing your eyes and decompressing.  At a recent presentation at WSLS, I mentioned that since I have started using the bus as my back-up vehicle, I've read at least three novels (it can be difficult to find time to read quietly in a home with three children).  I've also written some op-eds, done some creative writing, and have worked through some business books, most notably Green to Gold, which is excellent.  I've also spent some quality time with my iPod, enjoying Lily Allen and Weezer, along with an audio short-story by Neil Gaiman (which you can download free from HarperCollins).  All of which is to say that you can get a lot done when someone else is in charge of the driving.

And while it's true that I've seen a lot more smaller, efficient cars on the road recently (I noted another Yaris downtown just yesterday evening), let me remind you of this.  Technology is great for those who can afford it, but includes some problems of their own.  I'm much more an advocate for mode-shift than just technology improvement, though both are important.