Walk, Bike, Ride: I Scoot (Seattle Forward)

July 21, 2010

Walk, Bike, Ride: I Scoot

UPDATE: Sunday, July 25, 2010
I haven't driven a car to work for nearly two weeks; I'm still alive, the sky hasn't fallen, and Joleen is very happy.

Last week, I participated in the Mayor's Walk-Bike-Ride Challenge along with six of my colleagues on the Council. We pledge to either walk, bike or ride to and from work. I met the challenge every day! Do I get a prize?

Previous Post: Yup, that's me on my scooter leaving my backyard and heading off to the office. I scoot most days as long as it's not raining, not dark, and not too cold. Otherwise, I take the bus. Occasionally, I'll persuade Joleen to let me take the car, especially if I have lots of meetings and events away from City Hall. (We downsized to just one car and my scooter last year.)

This week is Mayor McGinn's Walk-Bike-Ride Challenge. Seven council members, plus other city leaders, are participating. We have all pledged to either walk, bike, ride (a category that includes scooting, transit and carpooling) to work. I've used my scooter every day this week.

My scooter journey is precisely 3.1 miles one-way. It takes me 10-15 minutes in the morning and 20-25 minutes in the afternoon. The primary rule is watch out! A scooter rider needs to be defensively careful in traffic. Drivers don't see me!

Posted by Tim Burgess on July 21, 2010 at 09:29 PM in Environment, Little Things Making Life Better, Transportation | Permalink

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Burgess Bookshelf

Snyder, Timothy: Our Malady: Lessons in Liberty from a Hospital Diary
This book, along with Snyder's earlier, On Tyranny, is packed full of useful policy ideas that can help rebuild our country. Snyder's understanding of the rising threat of authoritarianism is exactly what needs to be understood today, coupled with his diagnosis of how we have failed to support all of the people of America.
Putnam, Robert D.: The Upswing: How America Came Together a Century Ago and How We Can Do It Again
Here's a hope filled historical review of how America has made itself more inclusive and equitable and can do it again. Very encouraging.
Sacks, Jonathan: Morality: Restoring the Common Good in Divided Times
Rabbi Sacks' book is essential reading, in my opinion, especially now when freedom is under such attack. His wisdom fills every page, his defense of liberal democracy is compelling.
Epstein, David: Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World
This is a compelling and great read. I love it since I'm a generalist.
McCaulley, Esau: Reading While Black: African American Biblical Interpretation as an Exercise in Hope
While the white Christian church, especially evangelicalism, was the dominant influence in my family of origin and my youth, I've learned so much more recently from the Black church. McCaulley's book is a very good introduction to Black theology and biblical interpretation.
Yglesias, Matthew: One Billion Americans: The Case for Thinking Bigger
A critical thinker and blogger, Yglesias lays out a vision for America that is more inclusive and equitable; includes good sections on early learning and the crucial value of immigration.
Thomas E. Ricks: Churchill and Orwell: The Fight for Freedom
This book examines the lives and efforts of two men who never met each other but who helped save democracy leading up to and during World War II. Another much read for those who are worried about the American condition today.
Timothy Snyder: The Road to Unfreedom: Russia, Europe, America
From the author of "On Tyranny" comes another pithy look at how freedom and democracy can be destroyed from within.
Greg Weiner: American Burke: The Uncommon Liberalism of Daniel Patrick Moynihan (American Political Thought)
Fascinating account of the former New York Senator; good friend and colleague of our own Senator Henry Jackson.
Steven Levitsky & Daniel Liblatt: How Democracies Die
This is a must read for people concerned about the future of our democracy. One of their main points is that democracies begin to fail when the norms of civil discourse and the rule of law begin to crumble. We are seeing that happen before our very eyes today.