This morning I did something small that is a huge implication of the changes going on in my lifestyle. I took my car key off my key ring.
For the past 5 years I’ve had the same items on my key ring: house key, office key, mini pocketknife, and a car key. As I have moved and changed living arrangements and jobs, those keys have gone through a consistent substitution and rotation. After a couple of years of use even the pocketknife had to be replaced as the scissors and knife got dull and the tweezers broke off. The only item from the original lineup hanging around in my front left pocket was my car key.
I live in Ballston and even when I was working in Tysons Corner, and would commute by bike a few times a week, I would still keep the car key on the key ring. Currently having moved onto a new job in Rosslyn, it’s been two weeks and I haven’t been in the driver’s seat once.
Despite having an exceptionally green car, a diesel fuel Volkswagen Jetta TDI, the 2009 model was voted Green Car of the Year, I haven’t used it to run errands or to visit friends. I walk to the grocery store now, shopping more frequently but buying only as much as I can carry so I don’t have to drive. This even has the added benefit of allowing me to keep more fresh fruit and vegetables on hand without fear of them spoiling. It’s been a fun couple of weeks biking to and from work, and it takes me less time than if I were to ride a bus or Metro and the thought of driving a car doesn’t even enter my head.
You may still occasionally spot me out on Arlington roads in my car, and if you spot my vanity license plate “55MPGVW” give me a friendly honk or thumbs up, but those days of driving to work more often than biking are over. And you know what? It feels great.
Tim Kelley is the newest member of the Arlington Transportation Partners team working on the Bike Arlington program. He enjoys cycling as a form of commuting and exercise, and is hooked on triathlons.
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