Like a cat with a hair-tie, I have occasionally batted around the definition of what it is to be an “urbanist.” Years ago I wrote a piece that captured a very high-level yet solely analytical interpretation of the often self-proclaimed title. I recorded a podcast episode that cited urbanists as translators, helping people understand why they feel better in well-designed urban environments or urban-light environments.
What I’ve never quite seen fully articulated is the definition of urbanism in the context of “freedom.” For me, freedom means not feeling trapped by lack of resources or mobility options. Freedom suggests that I can go anywhere and do anything regardless of the situation or my limitations.
Recently, my car was in the shop for a muffler replacement. But because I can bike, take the bus, use Rochester’s Veo scooter share, use my own scooter or Onewheel, or even just walk to get to anywhere I need to go, there was zero impact on my day-to-day life.
In the last several months, 3 different loved ones and colleagues had issues with their car and had to borrow mine. Because they’re exclusively car dependent, their “freedom” would have otherwise been negated by not having an automobile. There are simple things we can do to ensure that we have access to multiple modes of mobility so that we are never dependent on one form of transportation.
Live In A Densely Populated Area
This is key. In order to maximize your mobility choices, it is best to live in an area with a relatively dense population. I’m not necessarily talking about a downtown skyscraper, I’m talking about communities where residences are close to grocery stores, jobs, shopping, and restaurants. Communities where housing is a short distance from other needs are more likely to have public transit, convenient walkability and bike access. These alternatives to cars are only practical in areas where population density exists. And while this dynamic can be maximized by building “up,” it can also exist in places like where I live.
The problem with this is that living in denser populations often means that the cost of housing is higher. This is truest in our most dense urban area in the U.S. But I would argue that there are places where housing is still relatively affordable (I say “relatively” against the backdrop of skyrocketing home and rent prices) and mobility options can be maximized, such as my hometown of Rochester, New York.
Arm Yourself With Personal Transportation
Got a bike that can get you anywhere in a pinch? If yes, you’re good! Or $800 will easily get you an entry level ebike that can take you dozens of sweat-free miles at speeds up to 20mph. Get an e-scooter with a 60-mile range for just over 1,000 dollars! Or an adult kick-scooter (yes this is a thing) for less than $100.
When you empower yourself with personal transportation options in even a moderately densely populated area, you increase your ability to travel to work, run errands and meet up with friends without using a car. If you work 5 miles from where you live, you might be able to easily bike there in 30 minutes.
Know The Way
In this automobile-centric culture, many people have car-adjacent options and just don’t realize it. For example, every morning I see people in our apartment complex drive a mile down the road and pay for parking at the University of Rochester/Strong Memorial Hospital, our city’s largest employer. They may not know that there is a bus that will take them there, or how to use it. They may not know that there is a cycle track, or a longer but equally convenient trail system that makes commuting to work by bike or scooter enjoyable and stress-free.
Most transit agencies have online route maps, schedules, tools and even videos on how to ride the train or bus, where to purchase tickets, etc. Google also has a feature that allows you to give you directions using transit or bike.
Learning more about these car-alternatives can be empowering. The feeling from knowing that we can exist if our car is in the shop, or living a car-free/lite lifestyle is something very powerful. THAT feeling is the feeling of freedom!
The Definition of Mobility Freedom
Freedom isn’t having a car. Freedom is when you don’t have a car and can still go almost anywhere. If you are privileged enough to be able to own a car, that’s great. But true mobility freedom comes from choosing to live in a densely populated area served by mass transit, knowing what your car-alternative options are, and investing in low-cost automobile alternatives.