… and for public transportation.
It’s snowing like crazy today. So I walked. I also used the Bear Line to get downtown, so I didn’t miss my Tuesday/Thursday appointment to hang out and read the newspaper at the Mudhouse.
A short conversation this morning in the kitchen:
Wife: I’m happy to give you a ride, but you probably don’t want it.
Me: I don’t want you driving in this.
Two things: 1) It is very comfortable to ride in or drive a car in snowy weather. There’s just no doubt about that, but 2) it is also dangerous to drive in the snow — especially in the morning as many people are commuting.
Since I live 3/4-mile from my office, I just see no sense in putting my wife or myself in danger. Plus, proper dress really takes care of most of the comfort issues for a <15-minute walk.
Riding the Bear Line begs the issue of danger, but I’ll ignore that 
The key here — to whatever point it is I’m trying to make — is that living close to your major destinations can be a really good thing if one finds it possible. I’m lucky. I have a wife who would venture into the snow by car (something I know she hates) just to make sure I’m comfortable. I live close enough to turn down the offer with few worries.
Comments 4
I don’t have any data to back this up, but my sense is that public transportation (buses, in this case) is far far far safer than being in a car in this weather. Mainly because of bulk. Not many things that can bang into a bus are large enough to cause a major jolt. Those little bear buses are still bigger than most other things on the road. City buses are even safer.
Also, I tend to believe that the professionalism of the drivers tend to make me a safer rider when I’m on the bus. That could be an illusion of course, but it’s mine own.
Posted 20 Jan 2011 at 12:06 pm ¶I also walked to work today. I do have the fortune of living close to work, but it was invigorating none the less. Chaotic nature, strangely, puts my mind more at ease.
Posted 20 Jan 2011 at 12:32 pm ¶Forget the weather and focus on the fact that your sweet wife is a keeper! But you already knew that.
Posted 20 Jan 2011 at 7:22 pm ¶
Posted 21 Jan 2011 at 11:40 pm ¶