The two biggest expenses for most households are housing and transportation. In this blog we are going to discuss transportation, which takes about 15% of our gross income.

 

The most difficult change to make is our mindset -- that which we believe is our reality. That’s why market analysts pick our brains to find out what we believe – then provide what we want, rather than what is best for us.

 

That’s why Flex fuel vehicles were selling in Brazil about 15 years before reaching US markets. While we were still selling Hummers in the US, Japan was selling cars that made 80 MPG. We still have Americans believing that we have unlimited amount of fossil fuel and climate change is something invented by Al Gore. Due to our beliefs and perception our industry did nothing about energy conservation after the 1973 embargo and only recently joined the world race for conservation and alternative fuels.

Most people in Miami believe we can’t live in Miami without owning or driving a car. Since they are convinced that’s not possible, they don’t consider the alternatives. However, depending on where you live and work, you can now live in Miami without owning or driving a car.

 

There are many ways we can go from point A to point B - the automobile is just. We can walk, bike, drive, use scooters, motorcycles, public transportation, cab, rental car, carshare, bikeshare, Segway, skateboard, motorized skateboards, boats, etc. Our imagination and sometimes laws or regulations are the only limit. Laws can be easily changed; mindsets, not so easy.

 

According to the US Department of Transportation, in the US we have about 1.58 cars per household. According to the American Automobile Association, it costs the average American about $9,519 per year to own and operate a midsize sedan about 15,000 miles. A family that can eliminate one car can over the lifespan of their 30-year mortgage save over $285,000.

 

This lifestyle may not fit everyone, but those who choose to eliminate one or all cars, save significantly and can use savings to improve their quality of life. To be able to eliminate a car from your equation begins with a change in mindset to accept that it can be done. Second you need to find out if your place of work is within a transportation network. There are many areas that can be easily reached by public transportation, bike, etc. People working in Downtown Miami, Coral Gables, Dadeland, Coconut Grove, Brickell, the Omni area and even Miami International Airport are good candidates. People working in large institutions like the University of Miami, Civic Center, Jackson Memorial and even the School Board are good candidates.

 

Next comes finding a place to live that offers alternatives to being car dependent. There is a tool that was started a few years ago that is helpful. Walkscore and transitscore allow you to evaluate each property according to proximity to basic services and public transportation. At this point this should be used as a tool, but not the only deciding factor. These systems are not complete plus they don’t take into consideration what each of us considers near. Their basic rule of thumb is that transportation and basic services should be a quarter of a mile from the property. Most of us can easily walk 1-3 miles without much difficulty. On the average a typical person will walk a mile in about 10-15 minutes.

 

There are also different ways to get around economically by using bikes, scooters, motorcycles and Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEV). NEV is very economical to buy (cost $10-15,000) and operate and for short distance (10 miles or less) they are very effective. These vehicles have a range of 25-30 miles; have top speed of about 25 MPH and can legally travel on roads with speed limits up to 35-45 MPH. The costs to operate these vehicles are 2-5 cents per miles. In addition the Federal Government is offering a $1500 tax credit on the purchase of an NEV before January 2012. There are also plug in electric (PEV) that offer longer range and more options like a conventional car. In addition you have conventional Hybrids and now hitting the market are plug in Hybrids. In the future those families who need two cars will probably own a short range NEV and long range vehicle.

 

In conclusion, there are many ways to move around sustainably and inexpensively, but the whole process starts a change in mindset and finding the right location. Location of place of work; location to live; location to shop and get your services. In the not so distant future most households in American may own a long range and short range vehicle or eliminate the second vehicle all together. The sooner you start down that path the more money you will save and the better your quality of life will be.