Jeff at Urban Infill has some pretty good posts, but his latest is too good to miss. He reflects on his COTA Challenge, which after 6 months is now more of a habit. He had a car and would use it frequently, so his default mindset before the challenge was to use his car. He mostly used it to get to work and do some shopping. He still has the car today, but it gets much less use.
As I adjusted to the new schedule I found that I was reading more because I had dedicated time for it - my daily 55 minute commute to and from work offered that. I spent less time chatting with friends on Yahoo Messenger because I was actually seeing them around the neighborhood and we started doing things together, live, face to face. I was walking more, to and from the grocery store for example, and walking to the bank, the hardware store, library or Blockbuster rather than taking the car and I shed twenty pounds within five months.
Twenty pounds in five months ?? There are so many people who would like that diet plan. Keep the car parked, walk as much as you can, and take COTA. I can picture the TV/youtube ad now, ala Jenny Craig, complete with Jeff’s before and after photos (or pants). Sure it may not work for everyone, but that’s why they have the “results may vary” disclaimer in small print. Seriously, way to go Jeff!
Best of all, year to date, I’ve spent just $221.89 in gas and used only about 63 gallons of gas.
Now wait, I lose weight, get more time to read and visit with friends, AND I save money ?? Now it sounds like one of those late-night ginsu knife commercials. Too good to be true, right? But he’s serious.
I went far beyond what I’d originally set out to with the COTA Challenge. Its no longer a challenge. It’s become a more relaxing way to live…
Go read the full post now! COTA marketing, are you listening ? There are so many benefits to the COTA Challenge. (I will give them a small clap for their Expense Calculator, I believe John W here on Xing Columbus - and possibly others on Columbus Underground - suggested they get one.)
I have to give Eric credit for the COTA cost calculator suggestion.
Hats off to Jeff though. What a great post that summarizes all the reasons I am constantly arguing for walkable neighborhoods. I’m not sure my arguing is doing much good though. I was in the W-Hills neighborhood in northern C-bus over the weekend and I couldn’t even get my parents to walk 0.6 miles to breakfast due to the possibility of rain (I had an umbrella) and the necessity to walk uphill on the way home.
Here’s the post you’re referring to… http://xingcolumbus.wordpress.com/2008/01/02/oil-cracks-100-a-barrelcota-asleep-at-the-wheel/
Great job by Jeff over at Urban In-Fill too! COTA should hire him as a spokeman. He could do for COTA what Jared did for Subway!