Are you driving under the eco-influence?

You wouldn't actually...well unless you want a good laugh. But behold the mighty power of Flexcar membership (pardon the crusading zeal) for urban dwellers like me who don't drive every day: no late-night cringing upon hearing a car window shatter (yep, vandals), three fewer bills per month, no trips to the mechanic, no "surprise, you owe us $1,500" mechanic bills, no endless searching for parking, no "garage is full" angst, 80% reduction in road-rage-like behavior (due to less driving), less swearing, one less fracking (obscure Battlestar Galactica reference) car alarm to sound off. Life is just better. I mean it. Not just for me, but for everyone except my mechanic.

And yet, I still have something to complain about: urban walkways. Wow, they could be so much better. Here's the thing: The more of us who walk instead of driving, the more likely it will be that city planners put time and cash into creating pleasant pathways from point A to point B to point Z - ones either raised or set apart from roads. How much would our quality of life improve if we filled in some of those parking lots with trees and ponds and urban open spaces that reduce stress and encourage walking?

-Jenifer Morgan...off to think about that while I walk next to some traffic...