Transportation

Walking: Walking is pretty sustainable. You are only using your own energy (so you get exercise), and depending on what you use to get your energy (ie local, organic, vegetarian food), it can be very eco-friendly. It's free too! You can walk anywhere (especially on campus) because people can fit through much smaller spaces than cars or even bikes.

The other thing I like about walking places is that it is slow...you can look around at the nature (squirrels!) or people you pass (or are passed by), you can listen to your music, think about your day, or just think about the walk. The thing I don't like about walking is that it takes forever! Walking to class takes 10 to 15 minutes, depending on where it is. If you're already the type of person who runs late, walking makes it that much worse. When I walked to class earlier this week, I noticed very few people walking. Most people on campus bike wherever they go (myself included). However, I have a few friends who strongly dislike biking and try to walk everywhere.

Biking: I like to bike places when they are close but I want to get there quickly. As long as you take into account the environmental cost of the bike and it's production, it is a pretty sustainable mode of transportation. You use your own energy (see the above point) and don't buy gas! Parking for bikes is very prevalent (part of Davis culture), so you don't need to worry about that.

When biking, I usually try to focus on not running into people. It seems that everyone in Davis owns a bike and uses it, especially during passing period in centrally located bike circles. It is great that Davis has such a culture of biking...where I'm from (San Diego) everyone drives EVERYWHERE. My brothers used to walk to school (about a mile) and were often referred to as "those European kids who walk everywhere." When I knew I was coming to Davis, one of the first things I thought about was "where am I going to get a bike?" Luckily, my grandma had one she never used, so I was able to refrain from buying a new one, which was better for the environment and my bank account. I was excited to be part of such a progressive culture where everyone biked.

Bus: I don't like taking the bus. I've only taken the one up here a few times, to and from the airport, and I was carrying a lot of bags so maybe that's why (I need lots of stuff, okay!?) but it seems crowded and slightly dirty and depressing. Nobody is friendly, and although you aren't driving there aren't many interesting things to look at or do. Also, the bus seems to put out a lot of exhaust. It is free however, and if I lived far off campus I would probably use it more. It is better to share a large car with a bunch of other people than take a bunch of cars that each have one person in them.

Car: I don't own a car, but one of my friends does so my friends and I sometimes use it, either to visit home or go to neighboring cities. We feel bad when we use it, especially when filling it up, but it is the only way to get home! We usually have it pretty full though (carpool!), so that's good. And it is used pretty infrequently.

I think the "best" mode of transportation to use depends on people's personal needs (and proximity to their destination) but it is important to be informed of your choices.