Getting to work the alternative way-by foot, rail, bike, electric car

By Leslie Goodbody
Viewpoint Staff Writer

For the last several months Viewpoint has been encouraging readers to "act locally" and do their part to curb global climate change by offering suggestions on how to curtail energy consumption at home. Now it's time to explore how neighbors are acting locally with their transportation choices.

Kris Backus of Portola Way, for example has been riding her bike to work for the past six years. Exercise, which she gets plenty of with her 13-mile round-trip commute, was her main reason for getting out of her car.

Her current favorite route to work is along M Street through East Sacramento with her final mile along the American River bike trail. When looking for a route, Backus suggests finding wider and lesser traveled streets. Narrow streets, even those with designated bike lanes, present obstacles, like leaf piles and garbage cans and hazards such as opening car doors.

Mark Helmar of Rochon Way likes the idea of biking to work, but feels it's not for him. That's why he rides the bus or light rail. His motivation is financial. Mark used to drive his car to work and park on the street. A few parking tickets were enough to steer him away from driving. The solution was obvious when he found that RT passes for state workers cost just 50¢ per trip, one-fourth the full fair.

Mark has been riding the bus daily for the past year and loves how easy it is. Light rail is the best option for those who work near a light rail station with the City College or Fourth Avenue stations less than a 15-minute walk away from home.

Mark chooses the 63 or 64 bus that runs along 24th Street because it runs on schedule and will get him downtown 15 minutes. If you live closer to 21st Street, take light rail or the 62 bus, depending on where you need to go.

Greg Geeting of Curtis Way has chosen a high tech travel option-an electric vehicle called the Ford Think Neighbor. Built in 2002, this pure electric vehicle is like a golf cart in that it has a top speed of 25 miles per hour and is suitable for driving only on city streets. It can be charged at any 110 volt outlet, takes 3-6 hours to charge and can go 20 miles between charges.

Greg bought his Think because his job site, about four miles from home, offers free parking for fully electric vehicles. Greg estimates that over the past four years he has made up for the vehicle purchase price-about $6,000-in parking fees alone. Add in the price of gasoline, which is more expensive than electricity on a per-mile basis, and Greg has probably saved a bundle.

Alternative commute options don't work for everyone. Those who must commute by car can shop for cars today that are cleaner than ever. The Air Resources Board's DriveClean Web site can help with finding a very low emissions vehicles along with those that get good gas mileage, including electric vehicles, hybrids, and cars that meet California's super low emission standards.

Ever popular in Curtis Park are gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles. As an added incentive, the hybrids that meet stringent partial zero emission standards and get at least 45 miles per gallon are currently eligible for a carpool lane sticker allowing drivers to drive solo in California's carpool lanes.

So, when it comes to getting around town, it's easier than you think to be green, even if the environment is not your first motivator. Most of the cleanest cars available are sold in California. Walking, public transportation and biking are emission-free ways to benefit the wallet, the body and the environment.

Useful links to alternative transportation research

www.sacbike.org for helpful hints on getting around by bicycle

www.sacrt.com for information on Sacramento Regional Transit's schedules, fairs, services
and expansion projects.

www.driveclean.ca.gov to find the cleanest cars available.

www.fueleconomy.gov to compare EPA mileage ratings and greenhouse gas emissions of vehicles available today.

www.cafcp.org for information on fuel cell vehicle technology, and to RSVP for a public tour and drive a fuel cell vehicle.

www.hydrogenhighway.ca.gov to learn about California's efforts to advance hydrogen as a transportation fuel.

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