Green Parent Chicago

Carfree Update: Winter Edition

A few months ago, I mentioned that we'd gone carfree. I like to use the word "carfree" to denote our transportation situation over the term "carless". As carless makes it seem as though we are deficient in something somehow. Well here we are a few months later, with what we hope is most of the Chicago winter behind us, including one massive blizzard that dumped over 20 inches of snow and blasted us all with 70 mph wind gusts.

Well we weathered not only the aforementioned blizzard but, getting hit with the flu the week before Christmas, too. 3 down in a house of 4 was no fun. My son was still temporarily immune to the bug from a bout in 2009. It was about the only time I sort of wished we had a car to take my daughter to our doctor halfway across the city for a checkup. A quick phone call and a visit to a nearby doctor instead, though not ideal, helped confirm that all was well.

Lessons learned this winter so far:

1. We still like being a carfree family.

2. We've gained the weight back. Hey, we're working on it.

3. We could use a pediatrician a little closer. We're working on this too.

4. Being carfree isn't half bad when a blizzard hits, since there is no car to dig out and battle over parking with neighbors who insist on setting out their entire lawn furniture collection/broom and mop collection/empty baby car seat/flowerpots to hold "their" space.

5. We're still saving money and using the savings to travel more.

6. Snow pants are indispensable in Chicago winters. Why did it take me over 3 decades to find that out!?

7. I love Peapod.

On Becoming A Car Free Family

A little over 4 months ago, we lost our car to an accident. We could have replaced it, by taking the total loss check from our insurer and signing ourselves right up into another car loan. But we had just finished paying off our now demolished 2002 Honda Civic after some 7 years, including several years leasing it.

My husband and I figured we could use a break from the auto insurance payments and any car payments at all, not to mention the feeling of throwing our money away on fuel.

Despite our family's advice to the contrary, we talked it over and went with it. We know plenty of families personally who don't own a car and we knew it was possible for us. What were the obstacles? I made a list. They just didn't convince us:

What if one of us needed to go to the hospital?
We live across the alley from a hospital.

What if my husband needed it for work?
He doesn't travel for work and his commute is a 20 minute bus ride either direction.

What if we needed it to run errands?
We'd been planning to upgrade my bike and get one for my husband. He wound up riding my old men's bike and I bought a new one for a good deal. There are plenty of grocery stores convenient to the train.

I haven't always had a car anyway. I didn't get my driver's license until I was 23 years old, I just didn't need it growing up in Chicago. Besides my parents weren't in any position to buy me one and they didn't have an extra one for me to borrow. I finally got my first car when my sister and her husband gave me their old '87 Nissan Sentra right around that time. The 5 speed manual one with the vinyl bucket seats, roll down windows and tiny push-out triangle windows in back.

So, how's it been since going carfree? How have our kids, 10 and 5, adjusted to being a carfree family? Pretty good, I'd say. First of all, there's no bickering from the backseat to deal with. They get plenty of exercise walking to and from the bus stop and especially the train station, which is a good 4 blocks from our house at least. My husband and I bike and walk more and have both dropped a few pounds because of it.

We have the option of going downtown or other highly congested neighborhoods without the hassle of dropping loads of cash on parking or worrying how long we can stay in our parking space. More importantly, we're lessening the amount of pollution we are creating. In the long term, our kids are learning a lot about street safety, the people in their neighborhood and the city and being exposed to  different experiences that will help shape who they become and what they think when they become adults.

Now, this all sounds so convenient and simple doesn't it? No fights about it, no whining, no late night snack runs, no buses off schedule, no tired legs. I'd be lying if I didn't admit that of course we've experienced all of these. But, I'll take them anyday to gridlock, being on the receiving end of road rage, or an accident caused by a driver more interested in social networking than the steering wheel in front of his or her face.

So, for now, we'll stay carfree thank you very much, and face the new challenge of winter in Chicago without a car...with kids. I'll let you know how that goes in a few months.

 

-Christine

Deck the Halls with the CTA Holiday Train

Returning once again, the CTA's Holiday Train greets Chicago's transit riders decorated inside and out with the season's finery.

The train, decorated with lights, candy canes, tinsel and more, features Santa and his helpers who pass out candy canes and season's greetings to riders. Santa waves to boarding passengers from his sleigh on an open-air flatcar that carries his reindeer and decorated holiday trees.

The train operates from about 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on select weekdays (schedules for lines will vary and may be viewed at the CTA's website) The Holiday Train will make stops at all stations along the respective routes. Normal CTA fares apply.

-photo credit: 24gotham, Flickr

Significant CTA Fare Hike In the Works: Let Them Know What You Think

It's that time of the year, as the Chicago Transit Authority has unveiled its new budget including plans to raise fares once again. The agency is considering an ordinance to adopt a new 2010 Operating Budget and Program, the 2010 Capital Program of Projects and the Financial Plan for 2011 and 2012, along with proposed fare increases and service reductions.

Public hearings will be held on the city's north, south and west sides to allow comment by the public on the proposed plans. The dates and times of the hearings are:

-Monday November 2, 2009 at 6:00 PM at Lane Technical High School located at 2501 West Addison Street, Chicago, Illinois

-Tuesday November 3, 2009 at 6:00 PM at the South Shore Cultural Center located at 7059 South Shore Drive Chicago, Illinois  

-In addition, The CTA will hold an informational meeting on the proposed fare increase and service reduction on Thursday October 29, 2009 at 6:00 PM at the Austin Town Hall located at 5610 West Lake Street, Chicago, Illinois 60644. These facilities are all accessible to people with disabilities. "

The proposed "2010 Budget Book and Project Descriptions for the proposed Capital Program of Projects, and the Financial Plan" will also be available for public inspection, in standard size print and large print, from October 13, 2009 between 8:00 A.M. and 4:30 P.M. through November 3, 2009, at the CTA reception desk, second floor, Chicago Transit Authority, 567 W. Lake Street.

Those unable to attend the public hearings, may also send comments and concerns addressed to: Gregory P. Longhini, Assistant Secretary of the Board,
Chicago Transit Authority, P.O. Box 7567, Chicago, Illinois 60680-7567
or via email to: [email protected].
 
The deadline to submit written comments is Wednesday, November 10, 2009 by 5 p.m. 

Proposed service cuts include the elimination of nine X express bus routes.

Fares would increase to $3 per ride on rail and express bus routes. The full fare on all other buses via transit card, Chicago Card or cash would increase to $2.50. Transfers would continue to be 25 cents.

1 day, 3 day, 7 day and 30 day passes would increase as follows:

$8 for a 1 day pass, an increase of $2.25 (currently $5.75)

$18 for a 3 day pass, an increase of $4 (currently $14)

$30 for a 7 day pass, an increase of $7 (currently $23)

$110 for a 30 day pass, an increase of $24 (currently $86)

Reduced fares are also scheduled to increase from 85 cents to $1.25

Reduced fare transfers will decline from 15 cents to 10 cents but, the 30 day Reduced Fare Pass will increase from $35 to $40.

All proposed fare changes would take effect February 27, 2010.

-photo credit: Bill Ward, flickr

Chicagoland Car Free Day-- EL of a Lot of Fun!

--Editor's note: Today's guest post comes from ChiIL Mama, who blogs about tons of unique  adventures with her two kids Du and Sage in and around Chicago. Below is her account of last week's Chicagoland Car Free Day.--

ChiIL Mama successfully negotiated the auto ban for September 22nd. And we had a blast, getting to and from school car free. Between Razor Scooters and the Blue Line El trains, our commute was pretty easy and the kids thought it was all a grand adventure.

Du sat next to an artist on the el, who was sketching away on his pad. When he noticed the kids' peering at his work, he stopped and gave a mini art lesson about the horizon line and geometry and perspective in art.  

What a great bonus! Du acknowledged that he knew about horizon lines and used them in his own art, and he held his own in conversation.

It was so much easier to notice oddities and interesting things, when we're not zipping past in the car.  

Here are some of our favorites:

A neon orange cow and star gazing-astronomer bovine with a telescope........chalk drawing characters on the Damen platform........cool spiral art of the Chi skyline and poetry in the Damen station........ yin/yang front door knobs below a tranquil wooden landscape......and multicolored fall leaves crunching beneath the Razor wheels.

I'm all for honing the kids' powers of observation and appreciation of the quirky. Those are useful skills for artists and writers, or whatever they end up growing up to be. More than that, it's just plain FUN.

We are veterans at taking the trains downtown, and frequently ride to fests and museums that way to avoid exorbitant downtown parking fees and traffic jams. But this was only the second time we've attempted it for the 3 mile school day commute. We left oodles of extra time, unsure of how long it would actually take, and we arrived 40 minutes before the school day! This left plenty of playground time and we even ducked in to the lunchroom for a free breakfast.

Unfortunately, the trip took an hour each way, versus 10 minutes and cost us nearly $14--an excellent argument for the need for cheap, rapid transit in the biggest cities. By the time I took the kids there, returned, went to get them, and returned with them, I'd spent over 3.5 hours enroute! Otherwise we'd do it much more often. But, it's good to know we can if we have to. Now for those bike skills...........

-photos: ChiIL Mama

Today is Chicagoland Car Free Day, Give it a Try!

Today is Chicagoland Car free Day and over 1,000 Chicagoans have already pledged to go car free and travel by foot, bus, train, or bike today to support more environmentally friendly transportation.

Looking for a fun way to participate? Active Transportation Alliance lists several events on their website around town today in celebration of Chicagoland Car free Day.

Even if you can't make your entire trip car free, you could try a partially car free trip today.

Don't forget to join Green Parent Chicago for our Car free Playdate in the Park at Seneca Playlot Park (228 E. Chicago Avenue). We've partnered with Active Transportation Alliance and will be there from 3-5 p.m.  We hope to see some friends and make some new ones.

This is the park across the street from the Water Tower Place and the Museum of Contemporary Art (free today and open until 8 p.m.). So if rain happens to dampen our day, you'll still have some good options when you get down there.

Walk east a few short blocks from the Chicago Avenue Red Line stop to the park, (elevators from the subway platform to the street make this stop accessible to parents with strollers.)

Celebrate Chicagoland Carfree Day with a Playdate in the Park

Celebrate World Car free Day and join Green Parent Chicago for a car free play date at one of the city's most easily accessible and beautiful parks: Seneca Playlot Park. Enjoy the fall day with free outdoor fun and come burn off that extra energy. We at Green Parent Chicago are partnering with the Active Transportation Alliance and organizing a family get together to help moms, dads and caregivers try out other travel options with kids for the day.

The park has a sandbox, train and truck climbing structures, equipment for young kids and big kids and best of all, is only a a few short steps from the Chicago Avenue Red Line stop, elevators from the subway platform to the street make this stop accessible to parents with strollers.

Here are the details:

Date: Sept. 22, 2009
Time: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Seneca Playlot Park, 228 E Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL

What is Chicagoland Car free Day?

On Tuesday Sept. 22, Active Transportation Alliance will partner with RTA, Pace, Metra, CTA and communities around the region for Chicagoland Car-free Day. The event is part of World Car-free Day, the one moment when people around the world pledge to go sans auto.

Don't forget to take the pledge to go car free on The Chicagoland Car free Day website (www.chicagolandcarfree.org) The more people we get to pledge to go car-free, the more fun the day will be! Plus, when you take the pledge on our website, you get a coupon for $1 off a large drink at Caribou Coffee on Sept. 22!

Book Review: A Guide To Carefree, Car-Free Living Chicago Style

Why would anyone in their right mind do away with the American dream of owning their own car in a modern city like Chicago, only to contend with potentially crowded trains and late buses?

If you no longer bought into the idea that auto ownership equals achievement and status, grew frustrated with the associated costs and obligation, or tired of the fuel burning emissions your car adds to the environment, then it’s easy to see how going carless could make perfect sense.

In Chicago, where on the average weekday 1.7 million rides are taken on the CTA, an increasing number of city residents currently live an entirely car free life, relying foremost on bike travel, public transit and occasional car sharing. In addition, the majority of city buses and trains are often not as crowded or as late as some may lead you to believe.

Jason Rothstein, author of the new book, "Carless in Chicago", (September 2009 Lake Claremont Press), went car-free 4 years ago. He's written the very first guide to navigating Chicago and the suburbs without a car.

Rothstein pondered the idea of going car free for about a year before making the switch in 2005. He now believes that not only can you easily survive in Chicago without a car, your life may actually improve without one.

Outstandingly comprehensive, "Carless in Chicago" offers an insider's analysis of living car free while serving as the absolute reference for information on public transit options and car sharing around town from Metra to I-Go and everything in between.

Rothstein begins the book by helping readers determine the true costs of auto ownership, while weighing the pros and cons of ditching the hunk of junk based on your lifestyle. Subsequent chapters include details on city biking, planning travel times, and physical considerations when commuting by bike or on foot. He even breaks down the complex system of CTA, Pace, and Metra fare options available to all ages. 

Answering every non-native's wish, Rothstein demystifies the city's grid system of addresses and touches on safety concerns that anyone car free or not could benefit from when traveling the city.

In the second half of the book, Rothstein lists every CTA train line and stop, including notable sights and places near each stop (not an easy task, but one well suited to the Chicago native.) Rothstein also notes special situations that pedestrians should consider, like having to navigate Chicago's deep snow in winter.

Whether you are looking to reduce your driving time, are already living car free, or looking for an excellent guide for traversing the city and suburbs the more healthy and environmentally friendly way, Carless in Chicago is an indispensable read for Chicago travelers.

-Christine

Bikes on Public Transit: Options Around Town

Wondering what you'll do with your bike when you hop on the train or bus? Do you know what the rules are for taking the bus and train with your bike around town and the suburbs? Or are you curious about taking your child's bike along or wondering if your teen can bring his or her bike on board?

We at Green Parent Chicago were curious too, so we rounded up the answers to those questions from the CTA, Pace and Metra's posted rules online. Here's what we found:

CTA buses: Folding bikes allowed at all times. Other bikes may be carried on CTA buses at all times in bus bike racks, every day, all year.

All CTA buses are equipped with bike racks, located on the front of the bus. Most regular, two-wheeled bikes fit into these racks.

Motor powered bikes are not allowed at any time. Ages 14 and up are allowed to bring bikes on trains and rack-equipped buses. Children ages 12 and 13 must be accompanied by adult when bringing their bike on CTA buses and trains. Children 12 and under are not allowed to bring bikes on CTA buses or trains.

CTA trains: Bicycles are permitted on CTA trains every day, except during weekday rush periods (7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.). Up to two regular bicycles are allowed inside each car. Bicycles are not allowed when trains are full.

Note: Certain rail cars on the Blue Line have doors that swing inward and cannot accommodate bicycles. Only enter cars with green decals that show that bicycles are allowed inside.

-Check out the CTA's Bike & Ride Guide online for more helpful tips on boarding buses and trains with your bike.

Pace buses: Each bus carries two bikes on its front rack. Bikes are never allowed inside the bus. Motorized and tandem bikes are not allowed on bus bike racks.

Metra trains:Individual cyclists must be 16 or older. Ages 12 to 15 must be accompanied by an adult to bring bikes on board train. Children under age 12 not permitted to bring bikes on board. Bikes are allowed during weekday off-peak hours (9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and on weekends, see their website for exceptions on certain festival weekends in the summer. 3 bikes are allowed on each accessible diesel car, two on each equivalent electric car.

Having ridden public transit, we know sometimes there are exceptions to those rules, and seasonal events, special service hours, etc. can all impact whether bikes are allowed on board too. Keep these in mind when planning your trip.

***Have more tips for our readers on bringing your bike on the bus or train? Special considerations, insider tips? Please share them with us in the comments below!***

-photo credit: jochemberends, flickr

Earth Talk: High Speed Rail On The Horizon

Dear EarthTalk: If train travel is so much less polluting than driving or flying, why are passenger rail options in the U.S. so limited compared to Europe? And is anything being done to shift more travelers over to American rail lines from cars and planes?-- Jeffrey Orenstein, Bradenton, FL

It’s true that train travel is one of the lowest impact ways to get from point to point short of walking, jogging or bicycling. In the early part of the 20th century, with car and air travel both in their infancies, taking the train was really the only practical way for Americans to get from city to city. And take the train they did: By 1929 the U.S. boasted one of the largest and most used rail networks in the world, with some 65,000 railroad passenger cars in operation across some 265,000 miles of track.

But a concerted campaign by U.S. carmakers to acquire rail lines and close them, along with a major push in Congress to build the world’s most extensive interstate highway system, combined to shift Americans’ tastes away from rail travel and toward cars. As a result, while Europe focused on building its own rail networks, the U.S. became the ultimate auto nation, with more cars per capita than anywhere else in the world. By 1965 only 10,000 rail passenger cars were in operation across just 75,000 miles of track.