Cycling has advantages among commuting options

If you’re a person who is motivated by personal benefit when evaluating available options: here’s an important consideration for weighing your commuting choices.

North Bay offers many transportation options

SMART Train travels through Santa Rosa rail crossing

If there was a “theme” to our Thanksgiving-weekend visit back to California’s North Bay, it was the ease with which we were able to get around via “active” and public transportation.

Dakota Access Pipeline: If you drive, you support it

Groups I subscribe to, urge “bearing witness” and solidarity for Standing Rock Sioux activists who oppose construction of a new Dakota Access Pipeline to deliver fossil fuels.

Driving isn’t inevitable

With one day left in the Oregon Drive Less Challenge, it’s great to see the growing count of vehicle miles saved: 614,041 as of Friday, Oct. 14.

Oregon Drive Less Challenge, Oct. 1 to 15

Whenever people talk to me about traveling to downtown Ashland, the hassle of finding a parking space invariably comes up. With the “Oregon Drive Less Challenge,” I’d like to propose a less-stressful scenario.

Rail transit and pathway, Santa Rosa to San Rafael

Source of image: Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit on Facebook

In northern California, Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) is testing its passenger trains and signal systems along an initial 43-mile route between Santa Rosa and San Rafael. When completed, this passenger-rail and pedestrian and bicycle pathway project will serve a 70-mile corridor from Larkspur to Cloverdale. My family and I closely followed this project's development when we lived in the north Bay, and with our ongoing support of viable alternatives to automobile use, the SMART Trains continue to hold our interest. The #TrackSMART tips being shared via social media seem particularly relevant too, whether passenger or freight trains make regular trips through our respective communities.

Bicycle commuting: Bag-and-rack essential

As a full-time bike commuter, I completely rely on a bag-and-rack system to give me transport capacity. The Topeak Super Tourist DX rear rack and MTX trunk bag provide essential components of my daily rides.