During the summer months when ground-level ozone, or "smog," becomes a pollution problem, we issue Spare the Air advisories for days on which air quality is expected to be unhealthy. On Spare the Air Days, we ask Bay Area residents to fight pollution by driving less, taking public transportation, trip-linking, walking, biking, choosing not to use gasoline-powered lawn and garden equipment, and avoiding polluting household products.
I woke up this morning knowing that it was a Spare the Air day in the Bay Area, but also knowing that leaving my car at home seriously did not fit into my plan for the day. I left a message on my friend Jen's voice mail. She works for Breathe California, a group that, among other things, encourages people to use alternate methods of transportation and to leave their cars at home. "I know it's a spare the air day, but can't I just drive up to the San Rafael Farmers' Market? It's not like I have to go, but I have time today and I'd really like to," I asked guiltily. When I talked to her later all she said was "If you must." I momentarily decided that I was going to go, and convinced myself that it would be okay since I was going to combine all my errands and drive as little as possible.
It was then that I remembered Siel. Better known as Green LA Girl, Siel posted last week about her adventures taking the bus in Los Angeles from her home in Santa Monica all the way to the Ikea in Burbank. Anyone who's spent time in Los Angeles knows that this is no easy task.
That was it. If Siel could get to a location nearly 27 miles away on a bus in Los Angeles, then I could do without my car in this major city for a day. I only had to run a couple simple errands and then I could go to the Thursday Night Farmers' Market at the Ferry Building instead of trekking to San Rafael.
I donned my hugely comfortable Keen shoes and headed out on to the bus. The first stop would be the CSA drop-off site to pick up my Eatwell CSA Box. We usually pick up a cardboard box full of our items, but since I'd be on the bus, I grabbed a few canvas bags and my new shopping basket for my trip.
511.org has agreed to have free transportation for the first 3 Spare the Air days this year. And since this was the first Spare the Air day, all transportation -- MUNI, Bart, and ferries -- was free. On my bus rides today, I didn't notice an abnormally high level of riders, but I am not a good judge of that.
After a short bus ride and a walk of a few blocks, I was at our pick-up site.
I filled my basket with all our goodies (carrots, turnips, lettuce, strawberries, cherries, cabbage, potatoes, summer squash and herbs), and was soon headed back home to drop everything off.
I later had it in my head that there was some additional fruit that I wanted to get. I was craving a fruit salad, and wanted to taste some stone fruit to see where it was in the season. I got back on the (free) bus, and headed toward the Ferry Building. I found a highly appropriate podcast to listen to, and was off. At the Ferry Building, I picked up some Out the Door spring rolls for dinner, some of Jason's favorite jams, and some fruits. This is a fun, if tiny market. The booths are set up in the middle hallway of the Ferry Building, and most of the inside stores have small tables set up to add to the market atmosphere. I ate a delicious sausage from Golden Gate Meats, and enjoyed the hustle and bustle of the Ferry Building.
After leaving the market, I hopped on (free) MUNI to go to Jason's work and pick him up on foot, or to offer him dinner if he was going to stay at work (because that's the kind of girl I am). He decided to go home with me, and we walked back to the bus.
Tomorrow is another Spare the Air day and all transportation will be free again. If you want to participate, try planning your trip using 511.org in the Bay Area.
I love you guys!! What a great day.
Posted by: molly | June 23, 2006 at 08:22 AM
good for you! knew you could do it! ;)
Posted by: rache | June 23, 2006 at 09:23 AM
hey jen. congratulations, and welcome to the world of car-free living (if only temporarily). food miles start at your doorstep! all best--patrick
Posted by: patrick | June 23, 2006 at 01:55 PM
I am so proud of you!!! What a superstar you are, taking on a car free challenge and getting your errands done. I hope you met some fun people (not including the boyfriend) on your journey yesterday. So great that we can set an example, since actions speak louder than words.
PS. In the Sacramento area, some transit agencies offer free rides on all Spare the Air days. Visit www.sparetheair.com.
Posted by: Jen (guilt inducing friend) | June 23, 2006 at 02:03 PM
Awesome.I am inspired. Thank you.
Posted by: Rose | June 24, 2006 at 10:10 AM
Like Siel, I'm in LA and take the bus to work during the week. Usually, I consider my weekends my "car" days and relish having a bit more freedom. However, I've lately started walking to the farmers' market on Sunday and taking the bus home, and despite taking a bit longer, I realize I feel a lot more relaxed than when I drive (and I get exercise to boot!)
Posted by: erin | June 24, 2006 at 02:52 PM
First of all, brava!
Second: Do you think you could have found your way to San Rafael on public transit? Ferry to Larkspur, bus to... gosh, I don't know, there must be a connection or two.
(This is why I have Cranky and his bike.)
:)
Posted by: cookiecrumb | June 26, 2006 at 06:48 PM
When it finally stopped raining I started biking to work again--about 3 1/2 miles each way from Oakland to the lab I work at in Berkeley--and Tuesdays are particularly sweet because the farmers market is on my exact route home.
My boyfriend, who is in his mid-30s, just learned to ride a bike this spring. It is an amazing way to travel, and he is now addicted to it. He has recently started to surprise me by doing most of our staple food shopping on bike as well, which is something I never thought would happen.
I have noticed as well that by biking instead of driving to do our manageable-by-bike errands we have become much happier people. That exercise high is hard to scoff at, plus the bicycling helps me to combine my local food concerns with my peak oil and CO2 concerns. A win-win-win situation.
Posted by: Elka Karl | June 27, 2006 at 02:58 PM
you go (but dont drive) girl!
:)
Posted by: jeff | June 28, 2006 at 05:40 PM
What a great post (and what great shoes and market basket!). I've been taking the tram a lot more the past few weeks and I enjoy interacting with the city a bit more--eavesdropping and people watching. It also is a great place to catch up on reading the newspaper (the car being less good in this regard). Good for you for taking the challenge.
Posted by: Tea | June 29, 2006 at 03:26 PM
I recently moved to Logan, UT where we have something similiar to Spare the Air days, but here it is taken seriously enough that we have free bus transportion year-round for everyone. We also have a program called Blue Bikes where anyone in the city can 'rent' a free bike (with helmet and lock if one desires).
I still drive occasionally (when speed or distance are an issue) but I do try to use the wonderful alternatives (including the pair that I was graced with at birth) at lot more knowing that it is truly a community effort.
Just thought I would share the view from another community.
Posted by: | July 18, 2006 at 05:30 PM