Percentage of commutes done on foot: 3.2%
Percentage of all trips under a half mile that are made in a vehicle: 61%
Percentage of federal transportation funds spent on pedestrian/bicycle facilities: 1.9%
Percentage of adult population who are considered obese: 61%

Every year on September 22, people around the world celebrate World CarFree Day and use alternatives to the automobile. Over 1,500 cities in 40 countries are participating this year, including Omaha.

In the past year, how many times have you traveled to work without the use of a car? When you leave the house to run an errand, how often do you walk? Do you use your bicycle, if you have one, for means other than recreation? If you're like most Americans, your car is probably your sole means of transportation.

We have become overdependent on the automobile, and as a result we have an obesity epidemic, traffic congestion, skyrocketing health-care costs, under-funded schools, poor air quality, and sprawling developments devouring our agricultural lands at an alarming rate. CarFree Day is an opportunity to rediscover the joys of life outside of the box!

On CarFree Day, walk, ride or take the bus to your destination instead of your car! For more information, see www.worldcarfree.net.

This article originally appeared in the August 2005 issue of the Missouri Valley Sierran