With current national and local dialog being heavily focused on economics, let's look at how our car-based society and environmental concerns are renewing discussions about alternative energy and transportation options. After all, much of this isn't new talk, rather it's something which is simply becoming more urgent as we've collectively procrastinated for over 30 years in addressing the issues.
Nationally, there is conversation about global warming. Some argue it doesn't exist, others that it is a natural cycle of the earth, and others that human activities are impacting and speeding up the process. Looking at human activities and options we currently have bio-fuels (which may impact food costs and have uncertain benefits); wind-powered (which have limited areas where these can be utilized); solar-powered (which has some limitations yet technologies have advanced significantly in the past 20 years) and US off-shore or Artic Refuge drilling (which have huge environmental risks and very finite returns). There has also been technology similar to wind turbines which are placed in the ocean and generate power through ocean currents. Off-shore and land drilling could produce vast amounts of natural gas resources with generally far less associated environmental impacts than that of oil. The trick is identifying and developing even more options, while businesses are given incentives to do so, versus existing oil companies and speculators who don't invest in production infrastructure while pulling in record-breaking quarterly profits today.
These types of challenges have been addressed in mankind's history before -- consider steps taken to develop utility systems for other new technologies, including in-home plumbing and community water and sewer systems, converting homes from coal burning to oil to electric or natural gas heating systems, and wiring the majority of homes and businesses in the United States for electricity and telecommunications. A constraint that halted fleet cars and others from utilizing natural gas remains today -- few have invested in developing a viable system of service stations, limiting the use. Where has our government been with an energy policy and providing incentives to make these happen so we are not dependent on other nations for these vital economic resources? Review the last 10 years of IRS Tax Code and one sees great incentives for businesses purchasing trucks or SUVs, yet very small and limited windows for citizens to purchase hybrids. Can you say "Lobbyists," dear readers? Some of these same industries are now crying out for taxpayers to bail them out of near bankruptcy.
In Virginia, localities are working with various state Planning District Commission's (PDC) relative to alternative transportation options including inter-connected pathways, mass transportation and car pooling. The NRV PDC is currently conducting an Employee Transportation Survey and Park & Ride Survey. The Smart Bus, traveling from the Roanoke Valley and NRV is seeing increased ridership while Virginia Tech is encouraging students and employees to participate in several alternative programs.
Here in our own backyards, we see the localities of Blacksburg, Pulaski and Christiansburg recently discussing scooters and "low-speed" vehicles (tricked out golf carts) as a means to control escalating fuel costs and guzzling gas. Each town has a different set of rules, ensuring one cannot use such transportation between these towns as they are generally restricted to streets posted with speed limits of 35 or 25mph, respectively. Our bet is that Christiansburg, which didn't restrict the golf carts -- as did Pulaski due to safety concerns, nor require helmets and restricting scooters to a single rider as did Blacksburg -- will see the most issues come up.
Such public transportation and economic issues in an area lacking interconnected trails or sidewalks, extremely limited access to the area's bus services and no passenger rail may see theses concerns used as justification for continuing old habits -- get in your car and go.
Or witness what the T's have already seen in Christiansburg: three helmet-less kids on a single scooter zipping down the road on Roanoke Street and Franklin Street in 45mph zones.
UPDATE: See another article on golf carts published Sept. 9, 2008. With a limited range of 30 miles and $8000 price tag, is it worth it?