Carectomy week in review

Drive your computer – not your car


Modern technology has made it increasingly easier to conduct business from anywhere, yet as Christian Renaud, a Cisco executive, asks, “So why do people still hop on cross-country flights for two-hour face-to-face meetings instead of using rich collaboration technologies like video conferencing, voice over the Internet, and virtual worlds?”

Albuquerque gives residents a free ride

In spite of Albuquerque’s low-riding love affair, the city is trying to step up its public transit. It’s introduced D-RIDE, a free bus service that travels a popular circuit through the downtown area.

The problem? D-RIDE covers all of six city blocks -- which, by my standards, are short and totally walkable. (Planners might be wise to improve transportation throughout the city, instead of investing in a tiny and unnecessary upgrade. Then again, some free transit is better than none.)

The D-RIDE also connects to the downtown transit center, where commuters can hop aboard after a ride on the new Rail Runner train.

Blumenauer introduces the National Bike Bill

On March 4th, thousands of cyclists gathered in support of biking at the National Bike Summit in Washington, D.C. They threw their collective weight behind Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and his National Bike Bill, which “recogniz[es] the importance of bicycling in transportation and recreation.”

Put on your walking shoes, generate some power


It has become clear that we need to figure out greener, renewable sources of energy. Well, what if we could produce our own damned power? Walking’s about as carectomy-friendly as it gets.

This week, we look at some concepts in the works that will allow us to crank out some electricity while keeping healthy, happy, and pollution-free out on our strolls.