Description

Albuquerque gave alternative transportation a try during ABQ RIDE’s Strive Not to Drive week, May 12th - 16th 2008. Each day highlighted a different form of alternative transportation and prizes were given out to lucky commuters. Though Strive Not to Drive Week is over, you can still do your part to help reduce the amount of single occupant vehicles on the road.

Which alternatives are being encouraged?

• Walk Day 5/12/08: Walkers joined us for a downtown walk on Civic Plaza on Monday, May 12th at noon. A free bike was given away to a lucky “walker”.  Walk to work, school, or errands for your health and to help improve air quality. You will be glad you did!

• Carpool Day 5/13/08: Check out our carpool page to get registered for a carpool, or check with your co-workers to arrange a carpool. Why carpool? When you share the cost of commuting, you save money. The more people you carpool with the more money you save. You can also get preferred and/or reduced parking fees; auto insurance discounts; and, you save wear-and-tear on your car. It's like paying yourself to enjoy a more relaxed ride to work.

• Bus Day 5/14/08: On Wednesday, May 14th all bus rides on ABQ RIDE were free. Many commuters discovered the best way to relax is to take the bus to and from work. Not only does riding the bus save you the hassle of finding a place to park, but you can read the newspaper or a good book, talk with friends, listen to music, or just see the sights of Albuquerque.

• Rail Runner Day 5/15/08: Try the New Mexico Rail Runner commuter train. On Thursday, May 15th, train rides were free for people with bus passes. The train runs from Bernalillo to Belen, with several stops along the way and many connecting ABQ RIDE bus routes.

• Bike Day 5/16/08: Bike to Work Day was at the Alvarado Transportation Center, Uptown Transit Center, Erna Ferguson library, Los Ranchos and the Los Lunas RailRunner stations on Friday, May 16th.  Commuters learned about bike trails, bike gear and how to get around by combining the bus or the train.  Food and bike gear was given away at these events. For more information, visit www.bikeabq.org.

Why should you strive not to drive?

By reducing the use of your car, you not only help keep the skies blue in Albuquerque, you will find that you save a ton of money on your fuel expenses. Studies show that using alternative transportation benefits commuters, communities and the environment. Still not convinced? Take a look at these statistics from the American Public Transportation Association web-site:

• Public transportation reduces pollution and promotes cleaner air. It produces 95% less carbon monoxide (CO), 90 percent less in volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and about half as much carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx), per passenger mile, as private vehicles.
• Each year, public transportation households save over $1,399 worth of gas and transit availability can reduce the need for an additional car, a yearly expense of $6,251 in a household budget.

The average American household spends 18 cents for every dollar earned on transportation, and cars are the largest source of household debt after mortgages.

Sponsors

Thank you to all of our sponsors for their support of Strive Not To Drive week: Rainbow Ryders, Happy Feet, Tucanos, Frontier, Golden Pride, Cold Stone, Wendy's, McDonald's, Hinkle Family Fun Center, and Whole Foods.