These boots aren’t made for drivin’…
Friday, September 12th, 2008
Cut down on the driving!
I’ve been walking and biking around town quite a lot during these nice summer days, and I’ve noticed something that’s been bothering me for quite some time. TRAFFIC! I live just outside of Hanover, which is a pretty small town, and yet there are far too many cars passing through the Downtown every day.
I understand that we can’t all leave our cars at home all of the time. There are those who live out in the country, far from the downtown’s they shop in. Weather can be a factor too. However, there are ways for everyone to cut down on their car use, and they all come with benefits!
- Park in one spot, and WALK to all of your destinations. Living out in the country makes it hard to walk to town for all of your groceries. Once you’re downtown however, there’s nothing stopping you from exercising your legs a little and walking around town! Just be sure to bring a backpack, or even a small wagon for your larger purchases.
- Dress for the Weather. Don’t let the rain stop you from walking to the video store, or the grocery store! In fact, chances are, your downtown businesses will be more than happy to equip you for the weather with boots, jackets, umbrellas, and warm clothing.
- Plan your trips. If you’re organized, you can cut down on the amount of trips you need to take into town. Write a list, go everywhere you need to in one day, and you’ll save time AND money on gas.
- Have fun with it! Plan some fun activities into your day in town. Take the kids, or the dog and get exercise while walking together. Add an hour at the park to your list, or perhaps a movie or a meal.
Spending time in your downtown is great for your local economy. You’ll find that you don’t really need to make that longer trip to the big box store, everything you need is at your fingertips. Get to know your local merchants, and shopping will no longer be a chore, but a fun social event.
Best of all, as the Green Book business directory grows, you’ll be able to find more and more eco-friendly businesses to make your planning easier!
