Goal For The Green

With gas prices quickly approaching $3.00 a gallon, perhaps you’re wondering if you will even get to go on a vacation this year.  Instead of another “staycation,” at least try and save some ” green” and plan a “green” vacation.

Did you know Cleveland is going green?  First time visitors my not realize that Cleveland, is situated on the beautiful blue shores of Lake Erie.  You can even, charter a fishing boat, and cruise the Cuyahoga River, or set sail for Lake Erie Islands.

Cleveland became known as the city of the burning river, after a huge industrial fire along the Cuyahoga River in 1969.  Now, you can visit and learn about the rebirth of the Cuyahoga River, and see why Cleveland has now become an eco-friendly hot spot.

Positively Cleveland,  has compile a wonderful list of 75 Green Things In Cleveland Plus , to check out and enjoy.   Thay also have a card called the Cleveland Plus Pass, that’ll make your trip easy and more affordable.  It gives you access to ten major attractions and other traveler discounts in the region.  You can purchase for Adult, Youth or Senior passes, for 2, 3, or 5 days.  A pass saves you 30% off general admission to the participating venues in the area.   They are making Cleveland a great place to save “green” and enjoy great family fun.  Now, you have no reason to not go on a vacation this summer.  So, jump on the fun wagon and enjoy!

See where the cutest ladybugs live!

The Montague Corporation Redefines Park and Ride with Swiss Bike

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Winter 2009 – With global warming and wild swings in gas prices
at the center of the evening news, many are searching for an easy way to save energy
while also saving money.  One by one, major metropolitan areas around the world have begun to place a stronger emphasis on alternative transportation as a means of reducing carbon emissions and congestion.  Just recently the U.S. government even went so far as to pass bicycle commuter legislation that treats those that ride to work similar to those that drive to work. Incentives, like new bike lanes and congestion charges, such as those instituted by London, Stockholm, and Singapore, have set the stage for a change in the way the world travels and commutes.  The century old bicycle is set to revisit its roots as a transportation vehicle.

Or is it? Simply jumping on a bike and pedaling off to work can be a far reach for many
Americans as long distances, adverse road conditions, and bad weather can all get in
the way, let alone asking that people give up the comfort of their car.

Recognizing the difficulties that most people have with taking the first step toward
bicycle commuting, Montague Corporation, a Massachusetts based bicycle
manufacturer has launched SwissBike™, a line of bicycles that allow people to choose
to the moment how they would like to travel or commute. SwissBikes are full-size bikes,
with full-size performance, but they fold to fit in the trunk of a car, on the train, bus, or
even in a cab. The multiple functions of these bikes neatly fill in the gaps that often
cause people to write off commuting and traveling by bike.

David Montague explains: “Most people’s commute to work is farther than they feel
comfortable riding a bike and as a result, they believe the only way to get there is by car.
In this case, you simply put a SwissBike in the trunk of your car, you drive part way to
work, park, and pull out your SwissBike for the rest of the ride. And if the day isn’t nice,
or you don’t have the energy, you simply leave the bike safe and dry in the trunk until
another day. We call it “Redefining Park and Ride” commuting. It’s easy, it’s good for
you, it saves money, and it’s a manageable step for most people.”

For 2009, Montague introduced a refined commuter model, the SwissBike TX that offers
21-speeds, slick tires, front suspension, disc brakes, and the CLIX™ Wheel Release
System, (see www.clixqr.com). The TX has an MSRP of $699.00, a price that can easily be recuperated in gas savings and health.  Montague also offers other SwissBike models.

“The SwissBike range of bikes offers a great ride for all levels of riders,” said Jonathan
Vandenberg, sales manager for the SwissBike. “The patented folding technology found
in the SwissBike provides the cyclist with a great combination of performance and
portability.  At the same time these bikes are fun, healthy and good for the
environment.”

SwissBike is a division of the Montague Corporation which is based in Cambridge,
Massachusetts and is dedicated to advancing cycling through the development of
inventive technologies that provide its customers with an unprecedented combination of
performance and convenience. Visit www.swissbike.com or call toll free (800) 736-5348 for more information about SwissBike products and technologies.

More of us around the country are opting to use trains, buses, and subways to make our daily commute. With high gas prices, we have been forced to cut back on our personal driving and consider other alternatives. So, while saving on gas and exploring other options, some are finding that their commute takes less time, and is even somewhat enjoyable.

In the Seattle area, ridership on the Sounder (commuter rail system) has increased by 28% in the last three weeks.  In several large cities, transit systems are begging their riders to shift their travel to non-peak hours. This may give new meaning to flex-time in the workplace.  In San Francisco, seats have been removed from their subway cars, to allow more people to crowd in. In many places it is standing room only.

This should be the best of times for most transit agencies. Instead, many are struggling to accommodate the influx of new riders. Local and state governments, across the nation, are operating on very tight budgets.  Especially for busses.  Many transits systems can’t afford to expand.  After all, their costs are going up for the very same reasons we are leaving our cars at home- high gas prices. Some transit systems will be cutting back on service, even though ridership is up. They will be forced to raise fares just to cover operating costs.

Public transit has become the wisest economic choice in these hard times.  Ridership has increased by 3% across the nation for the first quarter of this year. For the first time since 1980, there has been a drop in the number of miles driven on American roads.

Any form of public transportation has always been a great community resource. For many it was an overlooked and last choice. Now, it is the most practical and viable choice.  High gas prices have given us the opportunity to consider public transit as an option to explore other alternative forms of transportation.