Comments on: Running as transportation

By: Jeremy Day

Jeremy Day — Thu, 12 May 2011 15:11:47 +0000

Hi Jacob,

I want you to know that you inspired me to run to my grocery store yesterday…

Wasn’t bad at all…

Although you definitely have to use a different running technique to carry 2 bags of groceries. lol. Maybe Ill just walk back next time.

Cheers,
Jeremy

By: Sandi

Sandi — Thu, 12 May 2011 07:54:56 +0000

Im both a runner and a walker and 3 miles in one hour seems kinda slow
I understand the average walking speed is about 2.5 miles per hour but I call it leisure walking. If you’re on a “mission” it shouldn’t take that long. My brother and I are brisk walkers, 4.5 miles per hour. It’s a great way to get around and stay in shape. We walk to school 9.1 miles and another 10 miles to my house. If more people walk as much as we do we could really bring down the gasoline prices wishful thinking. This was a great post.

By: Jacob

Jacob — Wed, 11 May 2011 17:27:15 +0000

@J.D. – The 15 minute mile is a sub 10 minute kilometer or a sub-hour 6k. It’s doable but you need to walk constantly and make a conscious effort at walking fast. In Europe and much of the rest of the world, various cities still have what could be described as walkathons or 2-4 day marches with distances like 2×30 miles, 3×25 miles, 100k in 24 hours, etc. This is the speed that is typically used by everybody, young (15 yo) and old (70 yo) for the long distances.

By: krantcents

krantcents — Wed, 11 May 2011 17:02:22 +0000

Interesting! The high gas prices are making us think of alternatives to the usual transportation. That is a good thing! Basic problem solving 101! I live in Los angeles, where walking, running and even bicycling is a little different. It is after all a car town. You do see people doing these activities, but it is a minority. I like to bicycle for exercise, but it is dangerous to ride on the street, so I use bike paths around a park. I wish I could use a bicycle for transportation.

By: Raghu Bilhana

Raghu Bilhana — Wed, 11 May 2011 16:03:54 +0000

Only in America, when I walk, I get stares from people riding in their cars.

So is walking something wrong in America or do people thing only poor people walk?

Could never understand why only in this country do people stare at walkers.

By: J.D.

J.D. — Wed, 11 May 2011 14:46:34 +0000

Ha. I ran as transportation for the first time yesterday.

I pay good money to attend an expensive gym. (A Crossfit gym, if you’re curious.) It’s worth it to me because the results have been fantastic, and it improves my quality of life.

Anyhow, the gym is a mile from my house — as the crow flies. Unfortunately, there’s a river between me and the gym. The shortest drive is 8.5 miles and takes 20 minutes. The shortest bike ride is the same length and takes 40 minutes, much of which is on a busy highway that scares the hell out of me. (There’s a 10-mile, 45-minute alternate route that involves a steep hill climb that I sometimes take.)

Well, there’s also a railroad bridge not far from my house that cuts the distance to 2.4 miles. Trespassing on this bridge is illegal. That said, I see people crossing it all the time.

So, last weekend, I got up the guts and used the bridge to walk to the gym. It took me 40 minutes. (Jacob, I think your estimate of people walking at 15 minutes per mile is optimistic. I’m fit, and I average 17 minute miles — a *little* less if I push myself.) Since then, I’ve done this round-trip three times. Yesterday, I ran home (about two-thirds of the way). It took me 28 minutes. And in fifteen minutes, I’ll run over the bridge again.

So, I like this running for transportation idea. But it only works if I’m going somewhere that I don’t mind being sweaty and stinky. (Running home from a place I’ve walked is usually an option…)

By: Baby Steps Towards Self Sustainability

Baby Steps Towards Self Sustainability — Wed, 26 May 2010 13:24:23 +0000

[...] really enjoyed Early Retirement Extreme’s talk about Running as Transportation, a perfect way to save [...]

By: Britz

Britz — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 06:25:09 +0000

I sometimes run to get somewhere (within reasonable distance, if not using my bike) but more often walk, reading a book. In fact, I sometimes will choose to walk instead taking a bike or car to give me an excuse to read that book if it is good
Exercise-wise, walking doesn’t give you the same cardiovascular workout but it very nearly burns the same energy per distance.

By: Robyn

Robyn — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 15:32:06 +0000

Running is such an outlet for me. I love it. Just got back from a run actually. Jacob – I notice your tag line changes – the current one very fitting for this post!

By: Concojones

Concojones — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 08:26:39 +0000

So Jacob,

I get that you’re originally from Europe. What country? And what brought you to the US?

Greetings from across ‘the pond’ (Belgium)

P.S. about running: yes I used to run to work (a part of the trip).

By: Pete Hummers

Pete Hummers — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 22:47:08 +0000

I rode a bicycle to work from 1973-2006 (for a while I ran 3 miles each way), but in 2006 bought a Kickbike, which is like a giant scooter/bicycle. It’s much simpler than a bicycle (no seat, chain, pedals, gears), but still more like a bike than a Xootr and with room for luggage (I put a rack over the front wheel).

And as Stephen said, it’s like running 10 m.p.h. but with a platform for a rack-trunk bag, in which I carry lunch etc. And it won’t wear down my joints like running will. (A lot of my scooting friends are aging – like me – ex-runners.)

And tracyinbarcelona, there’s a sightseeing outfit there that rents Kickbikes to tourists. See trixi.com or patinette.es

By: George

George — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 22:09:44 +0000

However, I would be willing to bet that those kids in Africa don’t have to carry 4 to 5 400+ page textbooks (and matching notebooks) back and forth from home durring 4th through 8th grade. Personally, I consider myself a really good runner but there is no way you could get me to run with my typical gradeschool load on my back…. (and possibly my trumpet in hand also for band class). As far as homework goes american middle schools and junior highs are ridiculous.

By: Frugal in Europe

Frugal in Europe — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 19:23:55 +0000

There are countries where running is a form of transport. In rural Africa, for example, a lot of kids run to school.

By: Eden Jaeger

Eden Jaeger — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 18:35:46 +0000

This is so far from my current way of life, but it really appeals to me for some reason. I see now that I really screwed up by buying a home that is 26 miles from my current job and about 10 miles from a shopping center. I want to fix this sometime in the next 5 years or so.

By: tracyinbarcelona

tracyinbarcelona — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:06:28 +0000

Wow, so that could be: Day 23 Get Rid of the Bicycle… And love the idea of the Xootr. Here in Barcelona in the old part of the town (primarily pedestrian) bike riders are constantly weaving through hordes of tourists. A scooter is surely easier to maneuver. And you take it with you so no problem with it getting stolen.

By: Kay O. Sweaver

Kay O. Sweaver — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 13:34:25 +0000

This is exactly the kind of post I read this blog for. Wow. I could run!

I also thought about taking up skateboarding for short trips since its easy to take on the bus & stash in a locker.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 11:43:50 +0000

I got a Xootr Roma two years ago (http://www.xootr.com/kick-scooter_roma.html), and I hardly ever ride a bike anymore. It’s like running 10 mph without the sweating. It fits under a chair or in a gym locker, I can take it on the train even during rush hour, and it takes 5 seconds to fold. It’s high-quality (machined aluminum) at a fraction of the price of a good bike.