Originally Posted by
Rowan
There are many people who spend 45 minutes driving one way to work and cover just 10 miles... if that.
Plus, jade is trying not to use a vehicle at weekends, when the time and distances involved can really pile up.
I thought you were supposed to be in the business of encouraging people. To read what you have posted, I wouldn't blame jade for being put off from her idea that she was car-lighter.
I plan my car use on a trip by trip basis. I try not to drive if my trip is less than 4 miles or I am headed to San Francisco. Half or more of the Bay Area is suburban, and not particularly transit friendly. The trip takes forever or the transit runs infrequently. That is a structural problem, not a choice problem. It would be great to choose transit for more types of trips, but it isn't particularly practical.
My definition for car-light(er) is choosing not to drive for trips. Many people use a car for every trip. I've been on a pretty concerted mission not to do that over the past few years.
Originally Posted by
Roody
I'm certainly not trying to discourage her, and I said that I admire her efforts. But words do have some meaning; they can't just be twisted anyway you like. If you want to coin a new word like "car-lighter" I'm up for it!
As for hypothetical people who drive 45 minutes to go 10 miles, and voluntarily do it ten times a week...as a psychologist I couldn't recommend such self-inflicted mental torture!
I didn't use the work "car-light." I picked "car-free weekend." Which is the current best goal based on my current job situation, although I'll likely add an additional car-free day during the week as well..