Using human-powered or active transportation makes me feel more productive and satisfied with how I utilize my time each day. On mornings when I bike to work I feel energized, accomplished, and empowered to take on the rest of the day - and I didn't have to step foot in a gym! How flippin' NICE. 

On days where I drive to work, however, I feel less productive. Because those mornings are typically rushed, I am cramming tasks in to the morning schedule, and I feel tired when I walk into work. Since I am already in my car, it's easier for me to go through a drive thru for my iced coffee, while if I were biking, I would have had an protein shake or something a little bit healthier to help me power through the bike ride. 

I wish the Lynx bus was a reliable mode of transportation. Sadly, I would have to connect twice and walk a substantial 1/2 mile to make it work to travel within 15 minutes (from home to work) - it doesn't quite make the bus trips worth while. If there was a more well-connected and reliable public transit system, I would feel more confident in using this mode of transportation to get to and from work. Potentially a light rail expansion could help? It would be nice to dream. 

On my trip to San Francisco to attend the National Planning Conference for American Planners, I took a self-guided tour around the city via an electric bike, sponsored by Ford and GoBike, as contracted by the city. This docked bike-share program was a delight for my use, and super easy to pick up a bike and use getting around the city. Via this bike, my excursion around the city - up hill, across the bridge, and around tight turns - was manageable and the most efficient use of my time when considering the next best alternative (regular bike, Uber/lyft, private vehicle, and walking). 

Because I had an e-assisted bike, I did not sweat nor exert as much energy I would biking on a regular bike or walking from one destination to the other. The bicycle facilities and infrastructure gave me confidence as a bicyclist that my safety is a priority, and traffic easily accommodated bicyclists as a valid mode of transportation within the street network. 

On an e-bike, my commute time would be shorter, and I'd smell a bit nicer after the ride.  On days where I would bike (regular, not e-assisted) to work, I would be sweaty from the 30-minute work out in the hot, Florida sun. Since there are no shower facilities at our offices,  this hinders active transportation during the hot months. I would have to opt for my private vehicle.

If UCF, or Orlando, improve and increase the number of  bicycle facilities, like a dedicated and/or barricaded bike path on the road or connected more trail/sidewalks to create a larger network of safe routes, I would consider incorporating an E-Bike to substitute the use of my private vehicle to work. Sadly, that is not the case here. Most e-bikes must share the road with automobiles because of incomplete/disrepair of sidewalks and tiny 4-foot wide sidewalks create dangerous routes that must be shared with walking pedestrians and other construction obstacles. The speed at which these bikes travel is significant, and we can benefit from this equipment. However, we need stronger policies that support bicyclists and pedestrian safety, change travel demand behaviors, and improve the infrastructure to allow e-bikes as a viable, equitable, and safe mode of transportation. 

Pictured below is me taking a Ford e-GoBike across the Golden Gate Bidge. Also picture is the station where Ford GoBikes (both e-assisted and regular) are docked when not in active use, as well as signage that depicts a multi-use trail.  

I attended the American Planning Association's National Planning Conference hosted in San Francisco. Among many presentations and tours of the city, I attended a session on Green Roofs/Living Roofs. Green Roofs, or living roofs, utilize valuable rooftop space for a productive use, where rooftops would otherwise be empty spaces adding to an urban heat island effect. Green Roofs have been found to be improve economic development for local businesses, attract and provide habitat for native birds and insects, and increase thermal comfort for users. Plus, a green roof is much more aesthetically pleasing and far more attractive. 

I learned San Francisco has required nearly all new construction within the city to include between 15% to 30% green/living roofs on all roof tops. The city provides a Living Roof Manual that focuses on best practices, guidelines, and techniques for designing and implementing living roofs that are climate-and needs-specific to San Francisco. We, in Orlando, may be benefit from something like this as we look to make our public spaces more cooler and increase our usable floor area within buildings. 

Below is a picture of me at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, where they have a 3-story tall living wall that surrounds a sculpture garden where guests can sit, dine, and relax from the urban noise. 

Also below is a second story mezzanine in the heart of the Financial District near the convention center. This elevated public space is a connected walkway from one convention center to the other. Seen here are a myriad of plants and flowers, sculptures and public art, and a place to "be". It would be nice to have more places to "be" around UCF, or Orlando, that is easy to access for all people. 

Feeling better while eating less.

Amazing Spring is here!  Love the weather!!