Getting to campus, but not by car

An enthusiastic group of Skidmore community members met outside Case Center on Monday to officially launch the second annual "Leave Your Car at Home Week"?a campus-wide effort to reduce carbon emissions and lower on-campus traffic.

Among the approximately 30 on hand for a group photo were a bicyclist, a pair of colleagues who carpool, and a walker, whose motives range from saving on fuel costs to boosting their health. All have been proponents of alternative transportation for several years. Here are their stories:

Mike Profita, director of the Office of Career Advising, had made a round-trip bike ride totaling 35 miles from his home in Clifton Park, a trek he's completed at least 10 times over the years. Last Monday, his motivation was the "Leave Your Car at Home" event; previously, he's done it "as a physical challenge for a middle-aged guy, and for the exercise and satisfaction of transporting myself without a motorized vehicle."

He is literally off the beaten path when on this trip: Kinns Road to Carlton Road to Main Street in the Clifton Park hamlet of Jonesville, to East Line Road (from Usher's Road to way past state Route 67 in Malta). Then it's on to Brownell Road to East High Street in Ballston Spa and then to Route 9 south of Exit 13 into Saratoga Springs. From there he took back roads into campus.

Profita enjoys the scenery and the physicality of the ride. "There are some nice views of hills, fields, and an orchard on East Line Road and Brownell. It's nice to feel the breeze in my face and know I'm moving on my own power," he said. Bicycling gives him a chance to prepare for the coming day and to unwind on the way home, and "hope I don't get a flat. Thank goodness for cell phones," he added.

Advancement colleagues Karen Garnsey and Patricia Poirier have been car-pooling four days each week from Schuylerville since the fall of 2005. Hurricane Katrina?and the subsequent gas prices closing in on $3 a gallon?was the incentive, said Garnsey. "I think about that now and can't believe it was ever below $3." The two report that they have noted significant savings on fuel costs. "When I car pool I get close to 8-9 days out of a tank of gas," said Garnsey.

They share the responsibility for driving and the person whose car is in use that day will lend it to the other if she needs it to take care of personal business during lunch hours, according to Poirier. They often plan for such things as bank errands and grocery stops and will make such trips either on the way in or while heading home.

Despite the fact that they've had this routine for several years and live about five minutes from each other in Schuylerville, Garnsey reports having forgotten to stop at Poirier's house once during that time. They've found that the companionship of their daily ride makes even the worst winter weather manageable. "We've had a few scary trips in snowstorms," recalled Garnsey. "In 2007, we actually plowed through the snow on Beaver Street in Schuylerville. We always take my Honda CR-V when we know the weather will be bad because it's great in all types of weather."

Weather issues are something that walker Linda Simon, professor and chair of the English Department, keeps in mind when making her daily commute to campus from her house on Maple Avenue. After walking almost daily for 12 years, she remains committed to traveling by foot whenever possible. She is concerned about the environment and with maintaining good health. "I walk because it's a good thing for me," she said. "Or I will take the bus and try to walk downtown at lunch."

Simon admits that her previous life in New York City instilled her walking tradition. "When you grow up in a city, you walk everywhere," she said. "Sometimes I feel I don't walk enough."

Her key to walking satisfaction? "Comfortable shoes. I never wear heels," said Simon, adding, "The walk home at the end of the day helps to clear my mind. I treasure it. I love the view of the mountains as I walk down East Avenue toward home."

Sustainable Skidmore is interested in hearing from people who have left their cars at home this week. Please click here to complete a short survey if you're participating in "Leave Your Car at Home Week."