Forget the hybrid vehicle or even a bicycle; the most eco-friendly way to get to work is by your own two feet.

Transportation options for the environmentally inclined are fuel-efficient vehicles, bicycles, or public transportation.

The government even gives tax rebates to people who buy hybrid vehicles; but cars — no matter how environmentally friendly — still use gas.

Biking is pretty good for the environment; but you need a bike, a lock, a helmet, and a good sense of not being hit by crazy traffic.

But no one is advocating just walking to work. Granted most people don’t live close enough to be able to do this, unless they live in cities like New York. It’s a shame because walking is one of the nicest and most eco-friendly ways to get to work; I should know because that’s what I’ve been doing for over a year.

It takes me around 30 minutes to walk to work, and not being tethered to subway or bus is freedom.

I’ll answer some questions below about my experiences:

Why did you start walking?
I actually started walking because the public transportation fares were going up. I figured it takes almost the same amount of time to walk as it does to: get to the subway, wait for it, get out at the stop, and walk the rest of the way to the office. It’s also better for the environment, plus I get to enjoy nature along the way.

What about when the weather is bad?
I try to walk all the time, even if it’s cold, really hot, or even raining. Walking, especially when it’s raining, is really the quickest way, because sometimes the subways flood so the trains can get delayed. Sometimes when it’s really hot, I’ll go to the gym first which is fairly close to work, so I won’t arrive all sweaty.

What do you see on your walk?
I see lots of different people out and about. There are dog walkers, tourists, and sometime movie or television production people setting up. Sometimes I see interesting wildlife; I’ve seen a raccoon, falcons, a dead rat, and lots of pigeons. In the subway you only see live rats.

What’s the best thing about walking — and the worst?
The best thing is getting fresh air and knowing exactly when I’ll get to my destination. When I walk I never have to worry about if the train will get me there on time or exactly what time I’ll get there. Walking gives me the freedom to set my own time. The worst is when strange men make comments and get offended when I don’t respond, and also if the weather is bad.

What about when you get to work — do you walk up the stairs too?
I do very occasionally walk up the stairs. I figure taking the elevator at that point is something I deserve. But I do walk up and down the stairs of my apartment building.

keeping the earth ever green

Lisa Tae-Ran Schroeder