Living Like Ed by Ed Jr. (whitelam books .txt) 📗

both protect the battery and enhance performance. The digital revolution also has had a major impact through the creation of microprocessors that efficiently calculate and send precise bursts of energy to the motor.

Another major innovation has been the creation of a link between human and motor-driven power. The result is a form of hybrid power whereby pedaling force triggers a proportional energy contribution to the motor. This linkage significantly increases range and, depending on how an electric bike is tuned, it can raise top speed substantially without too much deterioration to that range.

With microprocessors doing much of the work behind the scenes, throttles and other annoyances can be disposed of, creating a simple interface and a more bike-like experience.

Electric bikes are an efficient alternative for urban transportation, for commuting shorter distances, and now even for fitness and fun, as on the hybrid pedalec versions that allow a rider to travel greater distances at a faster pace.

Compared with automobiles, the hybrid bike’s energy use and carbon footprint are infinitesimal. So, in the process of enjoyment and practical use, you can really benefit the planet, plus get some light exercise for your own well-being. And, of course, operating costs are far lower than for most other means of transportation.

Ed now has several iZip bikes, and they free him from his dependence on the automobile for daily situations, such as shopping, buying a paper or coffee, visiting friends, and generally getting around. In the process, he enjoys a better standard of living with a closer connection to the world, and to his own emotional and psychic center, while helping maintain his own physical vibrancy.

—Larry Pizzi

Public Transportation

When walking or biking simply isn’t practical, I always look to public transportation before hitting the garage door opener. By public transportation, of course I mean buses, trolleys, subways, commuter trains, and light-rail service—even cable cars, if I’m in San Francisco. The official definition of public transportation, according to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), also includes paratransit services for senior citizens and people with disabilities, as well as ferries and vanpool services.

You could say public transportation is like carpooling, on a grander scale. Carpooling clearly reduces the use of fossil fuel: It reduces tailpipe emissions, it saves money, and it reduces traffic congestion. Using public transportation obviously takes carpooling to a whole other level, with dozens—if not hundreds—of people able to share a ride at the same time.

For public transportation to make sense for you as a regular option, of course you need to live in a place that makes it convenient. Luckily, I do. A natural gas bus stops at a corner near my home, and I can take it—only one stop—to a big, beautiful electric subway that goes to many parts of Los Angeles and connects to other light-rail systems that go to other parts of the city. So I’m very fortunate on one hand, and very clever on the other hand, to have chosen this home, where it’s easy for me to get to the places I want to go by walking, biking, and taking public transportation.

If I have to go downtown or into Hollywood, I often take the subway. I can avoid the traffic, and if I buy tokens, it costs me just $1.10 per trip. You can’t even park downtown for $1.10!

And when I’m on the subway, I can leave the driving to someone else. I can do a Sudoku puzzle or a crossword puzzle or the Jumble. Occasionally, I have to go downtown to testify for some City Council meeting or the L.A. Board of Supervisors. In that case, I can review the material I’m going to talk about on the way down there, or I can read the newspaper and relax. The same on the way back. It’s very convenient.

And let me be clear that I take public transportation by choice. There are many people who are dependent on it for financial reasons. But though I have alternatives, I take public transportation pretty regularly—just not with my wife.

                  I did take public transportation with Ed one time when we were first dating. We were going out to some restaurant. I was in high heels, which I usually don’t wear, and a miniskirt. We got on the bus at West Hollywood, and the bus didn’t come directly over to the Valley, so we had to change buses—on Western Avenue, underneath a strip club, next to the freeway. At midnight! I was like, “I can’t believe this. I’m not doing this! I’m not doing this! I’m not this dedicated.” We got home, finally, but, clearly, our transportation choices were a major source of conflict.

Today, we’ve reached a compromise. Mostly, I drive my hybrid. And, yes, I have come to understand the benefits of public transportation. I even use the carpooling analogy sometimes when I’m talking to friends—you know, explaining about Ed.

And if you want to know the truth, I don’t mind riding the subway. It reminds me of New York City, only cleaner and newer. But I still let Ed ride the bus on his own.

THE BENEFITS OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Rachelle’s opinion of buses notwithstanding, we do have a pretty good transportation system in L.A., given the size of the city and the number of people who are transported. This city is so spread out, from Trancas to Santa Clarita to Pomona to the Orange County line. That’s a lot of territory and a lot of people. There’s no transit system anywhere else on the globe that takes more people over greater distances every day.

For my money, transportation systems need to be multifaceted. They need to have many different tools in the toolbox. The backbone of the transportation system, the spine of it, here in L.A.—and in most cities—is the bus system. Even in New York City, which is famous for a tremendous subway network, the bus system still carries almost half as many riders as the sub-way. That’s a significant number.