Balanced Transportation
Contact: Susan De Vos, 441-0925, atwfus@tds.net
The single most important action someone can take to help the environment can be to travel sustainably. According to a comprehensive study by the Union of Concerned Scientists, driving cars can damage the environment –- in terms of air and water pollution, global warming, and habitat alteration -– more than any other consumer behavior. Seekers of balance in every day life can thus opt for a mixture of transportation modes that can include driving one's own car, ride sharing, walking, bicycling and using transit. Using alternatives to car travel can be healthy, lead to a higher quality of life, and save you money. Relying less on automobiles saves communities money too by reducing the demand to build new roads and parking structures, reducing our economy’s dependence on nonrenewable resources, and improving air and water quality. By relying less on automobiles, we can help ensure a healthy future for our children and grandchildren.
Car parking is limited. During the week, the church provides temporary permits upon request (available in the lobby and also periodically printed in the newsletter). On the weekend, the church lot is meant especially for visitors, people with mobility limitations, people with small children, and people with other special needs. Otherwise, weekend parking is available nearby at Doctor's Park to the south and the Waisman Center to the north. On Sunday mornings, parking is also available in the lot of the Veteran's Hospital across the street. You are invited to explore these areas and enjoy a refreshing stroll.
FUS has two large bicycle racks that can accommodate at least 20 bicycles,
including bicycles with attachments for small children, children's bicycles,
and recumbent bicycles.
Maps with bicycle routes and bus maps and schedules are always available at
FUS (behind the front desk in the lobby). You can also download the
bicycle map here
(it is a large pdf file), and get plenty of bus information here
.
Although sustainable travel can always be an act of worship, FUS celebrates an interfaith Sustainable Travel to Worship event in May along with many other congregations throughout Wisconsin. This is a friendly competition meant to encourage people to try a car-limited mode of transportation at a pleasant time of the year.
Ride Sharing
Ride sharing can mean riding with another FUS member or friend. You can give or take a ride, or take turns. You can do so frequently or occasionally, making arrangements by email so you can divulge as little or as much information as you want.
Sign up for carpooling at FUS' exclusive sight. Create your own password. Under ‘directions’ place your preferences for a particular time, frequency (e.g. once a month), group size, etc. Feedback on your experience is desired and welcome.
Walking
Walking may be the oldest, simplest, and least expensive mode of transportation there is, and it also may be the best form of cardiovascular exercise. Relative to many places, Madison is fairly welcome to pedestrian travel. Most drivers are nice people, but don't count on them paying attention. Be wary. Although most roads have sidewalks and most major intersections have painted crosswalks, University Ave. just north of FUS has no sidewalk on the FUS side, and Highland Ave. by the University Hospitals and Clinics just across from FUS has no sidewalk either. Indeed, Madison is sprinkled throughout with roads that have no sidewalk on one or both sides. While efforts are being made to correct these situations, the following safety tips for pedestrian travel are good to keep in mind:
• Be predictable. Use sidewalks where provided. Cross or enter streets where it is legal to do so;
• Where no sidewalks are provided, walk on the left facing road traffic;
• Make it easy for drivers to see you - dress in light colors and wear reflective material. It might be wise to carry a flashlight in very dark areas.
• Use extra caution when crossing multiple lane, higher speed streets;
•
Alcohol and drugs can impair your ability to walk safely, just like they do
a person's ability to drive.
Bicycling
Bicycling may not be as simple as walking, but it is an efficient mode of transport that also provides good cardiovascular exercise. Madison has designated bike paths, and provides a free map (it is large) of those paths. Many of those paths will take you right to FUS. And we are in the process of getting more bike racks so that parking your bike once you are here is no problem.
As with walking, it is important to be safe. Here are some safety tips:
(1) Communicate with other drivers:
Make eye contact. Signal turns and lane changes;
(2) Be visible: Wear bright colors during the day. Use good
lights and reflectors at night. Make sure that other drivers can see you;
(3) Be aware of hazards: Watch for surface hazards like broken
glass. Watch for other traffic, including pedestrians, at intersections and
driveways;
(4) Ride at least three feet from parked cars to avoid being
hit by a suddenly opened car door;
(5) Ride defensively. Be aware of what is going on all around
you, and watch out for other drivers' mistakes;
(6) Wear a helmet.
Riding the Bus
FUS is nicely located for bus travel because it is on a major bus line (#2) for 7-days a week travel and a minor bus line (#8) for weekend travel. It is also near a major stop for other weekday and commuter-hour buses. All buses can accommodate bicycles and wheelchairs. Disabled people who cannot use the regular bus can use paratransit service (must apply beforehand). Paratransit runs within 3/4 of a mile of major mainline bus routes (which includes FUS), and requires booking the day before. For system maps, schedules, and other pertinent information go to Metro Transit’s Web site. The Web site includes a trip planner that can provide information on your best routes.
| Route | Weekday | |
| Peak | Off-peak | |
| 11 | * | |
| 12 | * | |
| 14 | * | * |
| 15 | * | * |
| 28 | * | |
| 37 | * | |
| 38 | * | |
| 56 | * | |
| 57 | * | |
| 70 | * | |
| 71 | * | |
| 72 | * | |
Every day, the #2 stops every half hour a block from FUS, by the railroad tracks on University Bay Drive near University Ave.On weekends, the #8 stops every hour across University Ave. on Franklin.
On weekdays, other buses stop on University Ave. near its intersection with University Bay Drive, some at peak times (6-9 a.m. and/or 3-6 p.m.) while a couple (14,15) run throughout the day (weekdays, not weekends). Routes and schedules can seem complicated and you may find it wise to phone Metro's Customer Service at 266-4466.
Bicycle Racks
The Environmental Action Committee identified and procured a couple modern bicycle racks designed to
accomodate 20 bicycles. Traditional racks are not acceptable in places such as Madison because of rampant bicycle theft and the need for structural support (among other things). Madison racks must be able to accommodate the use of U-locks that lock a frame as well as a wheel. The City of Madison’s Bicycle Coordinator has prepared a document on suitable bike racks given such circumstances (click here) and you can see our nice green bicycle rack near the entrance.
Back to main Environmental Action page
Last updated 7/29/08
