11 ideas for a more sustainable commute
Advocating for safe, walkable neighborhoods is an important step towards reducing transportation emissions. PHOTO: RAINE RAYNOR
Did you know? According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 25% of greenhouse emissions in the Northeast are attributed to passenger cars. Enjoy a cleaner commute and reduce your auto footprint with these 11 ideas:
Use public transportation: Greater Portland Metro, South Portland Bus Lines, ShuttleBus ZOOM and Biddeford Saco Old Orchard Beach (BSOOB) Transit all serve Southern Maine on various bus routes routes. Get real time tracking for Southern Maine transport buses with the Southern Maine Transit Tracker (SMTT). You can even get where you need to go with a ferry (Casco Bay Lines) or a train (Amtrak Downeaster)!
Set up a carpool for coworkers. Designate a bulletin board in the office for posting ride shares, bus share or bike share interests. GO MAINE is a statewide travel resource program that can match you up with a rideshare. If you become a member, you can also earn rewards for green commutes like carpooling, vanpooling, walking, biking, taking the bus or working remotely.
Bike to work! The Bicycle Coalition of Maine hosts events and resources on its website to help you get biking more.
Join Bicycle Benefits and get discounts at participating businesses when you bike to get to them. Several communities throughout Maine participate—find them at bicyclebenefits.org.
Advocate for dense walkable neighborhoods, towns and cities, including safe sidewalks, ample crosswalks and protected bike lanes.
One of the most impactful things ordinary citizens can do to help stop climate change is to fly less often. Why not take a local vacation? Maine is “vacationland” after all…
Drive electric! A typical gasoline vehicle emits more than five tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year. That’s more than four times as much carbon emissions as an electric vehicle using power from the New England grid. Efficiency Maine offers rebates on the purchase or lease of new or used electric vehicles; visit their website to find participating car dealerships.
Keep your car maintained for maximum fuel efficiency: check for proper alignment, leaky gas caps, improperly inflated tires, dirty spark plugs, and dirty air filters.
Don’t idle your car unnecessarily (in drive-thrus, at train tracks, talking to a neighbor in the driveway, etc.). Cars do not need more than 30 seconds to warm up.
Plan your errands carefully to avoid running out to the store too many times or driving all over town if you can find items in the same neighborhood.
If possible, give yourself the challenge of becoming a one-car (or car-free!) household.
Did you know?
The average EV driver saves 6,100 gallons of fuel in a lifetime.
(U.S. Department of Energy)
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Green & Healthy Maine is published by TheSunriseGuide, LLC. This article originally ran in the 2020 SunriseGuide.