Solutions!

Seeing as the economy has given me this time to reflect on things, I have two priorities at this moment. One is to find employment outside the automotive industry and the other is to increase my advocacy of alternate means of transportation.

Our government has chosen to implement a Stimulus Package to see if the economy can be revitalized. Part of that stimulus includes money for enhancements to transportation and alternative energy. The enhancements to our transportation system will help encourage alternative methods of getting around, hopefully to ensure better bicycle and pedestrian system integration. The alternative energy stimulus is aimed at sources other then burning fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas, and the improved distribution system these new methods will require.

I am looking into the wind energy industry for opportunities for employment as I find this quite interesting and exciting. The idea of using a renewable or non-fuel burning source of energy is interesting as it poses challenges to produce and distribute the energy to users. The distribution concerns are covered in the proposed upgrades to the distribution system that has been called a smart grid. This allows for a more distributed collection of sources and the handling of problems within the grid. The design of new sources requires careful thought as to siting and construction to maximize the output. The industry has designed wind turbines ranging from small machines capable of mounting on the roof of individual residences to huge 4.6MW turbine that stand taller then the Washington Monument.

Part of the problem with our economy has stemmed from the dependence on the automobile for essentially all of our transportation needs. We have designed our roads and cities around the car. Our zoning isolates residential areas from commercial areas. Very few cities have effective mass transit systems. We have to depend on the car to get anywhere. Even if you want to walk or ride a bike the infrastructure is not designed for it or the other users are not used to seeing it used in that manner. I rode my bike to work almost all last year, riding in all types weather and on all types of roads, from good roads with paved shoulders to gravel. I enjoyed this bike commuting as it gave a kick start to my day and a sense of accomplishment to the purpose of reducing my fuel usage. I always think of 28th Street in Grand Rapids, Michigan as a great example of an absolute failure for any transportation other then cars. This street is very commercial and in one section has two malls and several "big box" retailers situated along it. It is impossible to ride a bike or walk along this corridor.

Several other bloggers I follow, have done great jobs in documenting alternatives to the car and providing education and advocacy for alternative methods of transportation. Andy Cline, who writes isocrates.us/bike/, Carbon Trace, has several items such as Safe Routes to School, the One-Mile Solution and individual advocacy he encourages. Marc van Woudenberg, Amsterdamize.com, lives and works in Amsterdam, NED. His commentary, photos and video of bicycle life in the Netherlands is amazing.

Following these examples, I have seen where a campaign of advocacy can lead to changes and improvements for all. My goals are to further educate myself and enter the market for alternative energy and advocate for transportation change in our country.

Wind mills are energy producing machines and bikes are not just toys. We shall see what the future holds.