Alternative Transportation
Presentation Script
Overview
- BENEFITS
o Possible solution to the American Obesity Crisis
o General health benefits to getting exercise
o Mental health benefits to getting outside
o Cultural benefits for Italian immigrants & women's Lib
- POLICIES
o Some cities close streets to auto-traffic
o Bike lanes are placed on the sides of streets
o Multi-use pathways between towns
- DENSITY & RURAL
o Benefits are most noticed in cities due to amount of traffic
o Just as important, especially in places where people gather
- DEVELOPING NATIONS
o Less congestion on roads can also help ambulances move quicker
o Bikes can allow some people to take themselves a further distance than on foot to a job or health clinic
Important source
Strong Towns
Primary Research
- Focus on Multi-modal Transit
o Many of the benefits of cycling are also noticeable when combined with public transit.
o City’s revenue – health – community
- Interviews
o Over the course of the project, I interviewed people who had expertise in many different areas, but all rode the T as a way to commute. One, Vivian Ortiz, is the People’s Bike Mayor of Boston. She advocates for Alternative Transportation methods such as cycling and using the T to be more widespread. Only single-digit percentages cycle to work, while around 1/3 use the T. This is while around half drive. Many of the people driving in Boston are coming from outside the city as very few people in Boston will drive within the city, as people would opt to walk or use transit instead. I also talked with ordinary users of the T and cyclists. They talked a lot about how even though the T does not always work how it should, it is heading in the right direction. For example, the T has improved its communication software so that you will know when interruptions occur.
Final Product
- I made a few poster deigns, some directed at Prep students to show how easy it is to take the T, to get into the city, or even just get to around the area. I also made a rough outline for a class meeting directed at seniors who are going off to college next year, so that they can learn about what they can do before they go to know their way around the city without relying on a car. This would rely on alternative transit such as public transportation or cycling, and even school run shuttle services where applicable.
Conclusion
- I have now learned that multi-modal transportation & cycling can help governments have a greater effect area for the same cost. Some things you can do it allow bikes on trains(riding on)/buses(on racks)
Class Meeting Outline
College
Many Colleges do not allow students to have a car on campus
Students must find another way around the area
o City Schools (Boston, NYC, WDC)
§ Public Transit
§ Cycling
§ School Provided Shuttles
o Suburban/Rural Schools
Getting around with little to no transit
To Do Before You Go: Public Transit
Learn about the transit situation
o Subways?
o Commuter Rail Systems?
o Buses?
o Scheduling
o Familiarize yourself with the map
o Familiarize yourself with fares
o Discounted fares for students?
o Familiarize yourself with closest station
To Do Before You Go: Cycling
Learn about what options the school provides for parking
o As well as bike services such as a student-run bike repair shop
Learn about local bike-share options
o Boston – BlueBikes, NYC – CitiBikes, WDC – Capitol Bikeshare
o Most cities have dock-based (sometimes partially) city-run services
o Lime/Veo, E-Bikes & E-Scooters
Learn about local cycling laws
o State & City websites have resources
To Do Before You Go: School Provided Services
Many Schools provide students with shuttle services to nearby attractions such as a town center or a shopping center
May be free for students, but ID may be required
Once You Arrive: Public Transit
Know how to get to the nearest stations or stops
o Sometimes the closest isn’t always the easiest, fastest, or safest
Even if you do not intend on using transit, a transit card with some value may be useful if you need to get somewhere last minute
Once You Arrive: Cycling
Familiarize yourself with local routes to destinations you will frequent.
§ Coffee Shop
§ Convince Store
§ Classes
§ Town Center
Register your bike with the school or a local anti-bike theft agency, as some schools may require this
Find a place to park your bike, or make space in your dorm room
Once You Arrive: School Provided Services
These services may only run infrequently, so make sure you know how much time it takes to get to the bus stop to minimize waiting, and not miss the bus
Jacob Evangelista '23
Senior Year is my 7th year at SJP. Over the past years at St. John’s, I have been very involved in Community Service, going to the assisted living facilities nearby and the “Brother Barn.” I have also been involved in leading the Sophomore Retreats & have participated in PLI. I have also volunteered outside of SJP at my Church & the local YMCA. More recently, I have become involved in the Mountain Biking team and continued my love of road cycling on my own as a way of expressing my love of the outdoors. I work in Reading, MA at an Irish Pub called Bunratty Tavern as a food runner. I also lived the first year of my life in St. Petersburg, Russia.
I chose to do my capstone project on alternative transportation because of my passions for cycling & public transportation.