Way To Go Dinse!

Last week was the Way To Go! Commuter Challengein Vermont, when commuters are challenged to leave their car at home for at least one day in the work week and hopefully all five days if possible.  Rural ife is based around the automobile so leaving a car at home truly is a major challenge for most Vermonters.  This year 30% of our firm participated!   We are a firm of 54 employees and 17 of us are willing to leave a car at home given our current life circumstances, which is a very strong showing of support for the environment and a healthy lifestyle.  This is easy enough for people like me who live within a couple of miles of the office but it is very challenging for others who commute from Barre in central Vermont or Huntington in the far reaches of Chittenden Countywhere no major roads or public transit penetrate.  So kudos to the 17 intrepid who took the challenge and biked, rode the bus, walked, scootered or carpooled to work!  Participants included partners, associate attorneys, paralegals and legal assistants, representing all constituents of the firm.  Quite a few of us do this anyway on a regular basis, many to incorporate bicycling into daily life for health, exercise and relaxation and to conserve gasoline.  I stopped commuting by car every day 3 years ago when I handed the keys to my teenage son and retired my chauffeur cap, enabling my sons to transport themselves to and from their after-school activities without parental involvement yet avoiding the expense of purchasing a car for them.  This year I used Way To Go Week as the motivation to start commuting by bicycle rather than by scooter or bus, to incorporate exercise into my daily commute.  It's simply more fun to commute by bike or scooter than to drive.  And it's wonderful to arrive home for the evening after a good walk or bike workout rather than arriving home with the hope that I can get some exercise before dinner.  Hopefully Way To Go Weekinspired participants and non-participants alike to think about whether they can leave their car at home sometimes or always, to get healthy, save money on gas, reduce carbon emissions, and have fun!