Review: Alternative Transportation Expo

First, the seeming irony: I drove alone to the Alternative Transportation Expo.

So why is it not necessarily ironic/hypocritical? Alternative transportation is not about never driving anywhere. We all have to drive sometimes. Alternative transportation is about making good transportation choices to maximize convenience and cost savings.

The Alternative Transportation Expo, held at the Walter Reed Community Center and sponsored by ACE, made me realize I wasn't taking advantage of some opportunities right under my nose. For example, I'm a big fan of Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse and the nightlife of Shirlington, but I hate driving there, because I'm also a big fan of drinking. So why haven't I been taking the bus, whose stop is probably 150 feet from my front door?

I talked about different bus options with the Mobile Commuter Store consultant, and it seemed like the best advice was to plan trips using Metro's website. Why? Many bus routes are geared towards commuters, and many cut off long before the projector stops at the Drafthouse. WMATA.com can sort out the different routes and schedules for me.

Since I just started a new job in Reston, I also checked out NuRide.com, a ride share matching service. I'd love to find someone else who lived in Ballston and worked in Reston so I wouldn't have to be the one behind the wheel on I66 every day. But I signed up and so far it doesn't seem like many people have joined for NuRide -- my only ride share options live way up on Lee Highway or out in Alexandria.

There are lots of features to tailor your potential carpool to your needs -- distance, nonsmoking, even limits on people deemed sketchy by fellow carpoolers -- so if you're open to the idea of splitting a ride, sign up!

Alternative Transportation Expo - 5/15

If you read my recent post on Fresh Aire, you know I'm a big fan of riding Metro, including the Metro bus --- I know, doesn't seem as glamourous, but really it's cool, it's easy, and it gives me a chance to read. I've also recently been debating giving up my car and going the FlexCar route. So, even though this may not sound like the most "fun" event in the world, I'm excited to go and check out my options for gettin' around with the least environemental impact.

.... live blogging update ....

I just flipped over to The Green Miles to read about his experiences with trying to give up his precious Knight 2000, uh, I mean Saturn, and it turns out he's writing about this same event ... Great minds think a like right!

Anyway, no need to reinvent the wheel, so without further ado, here, directly copied blantatly plagarized from The Green Miles, here are the details of this event:

Alternative Transportation Expo
Tuesday, May 15, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Walter Reed Community Center
2909 16th Street S.
Arlington, Virginia 22204Learn about getting around Arlington without a personal car at this free event with exhibitors on carsharing, walking, bicycling, and telecommuting! Participating organizations include:
- Flexcar
- Arlington Transportation Partners
- Bike Arlington
- WALKArlington
- The Commuter Store
- Arlington Transit
- Arlington County Fresh AIRE
- Nuride.com
- Zipcar
- Telework Exchange
The first 100 participants will receive a free ART token. The event will also include the chance to visit the Commuter Store, an Arlington Transit bus, a Flexcar and a Zipcar and will also offer refreshments and door prizes.Organized by Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment (ACE) in partnership with the Mount Vernon Group of the Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club. This event is sponsored by Flexcar. For more information, visit the ACE website or call 703-228-6427.