The Old Walkabout

Everyone I know, and those I do not, should go to this website: walkscore.com. Maybe I am the last to know about it, but I think that I am not. I read about this on James K. A. Smith's blog. That's a name drop - read anything by that guy. Anyway, this website is a wonderful tool for those who are energy conscious or healthy. We scored an 82, which I think is pretty high. I defy you to beat our score! That only confirms our feelings that we live in a great part of town. Of course, the real importance of this website is not what score you make, but how you use the knowledge gained from this site to your advantage. From the website:

Why Walking Matters

Walkable neighborhoods offer surprising benefits to our health, the environment, and our communities.

Better health: A study in Washington State found that the average resident of a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood weighs 7 pounds less than someone who lives in a sprawling neighborhood¹. Residents of walkable neighborhoods drive less and suffer fewer car accidents, a leading cause of death between the ages of 15 - 45.

Reduction in greenhouse gas: Cars are a leading cause of global warming. Your feet are zero pollution transportation machines.

More transportation options: Compact neighborhoods tend to have higher population density, which leads to more public transportation options and bicycle infrastructure. Not only is taking the bus cheaper than driving, but riding a bus is ten times safer than driving a car!

Increased social capital: Walking increases social capital by promoting face-to-face interaction with your neighbors. Studies have shown that for each 10 minutes a person spends in a daily car commute, time spent in community activities falls by 10 percent.

Stronger local businesses: Dense, walkable neighborhoods provide local businesses with the foot traffic they need to thrive. It's easier for pedestrians to shop at many stores on one trip, since they don't need to drive between destinations.