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Glossary of TermsMore than that, critical mass is the moment a group becomes self-sustaining, no longer requiring new members to remain stable. We are using the term critical mass to indicate the goal of making "alternative" transportation default transportation. For example, there are many cities where train systems are so pervasive as to allow most residents to live practically without cars. This isn't possible with just a handful of train lines. A city needs a critical mass of rail miles before residents can give up their cars. We work to build communities where bike, bus, and train infrastructure are good enough to make people want to get out of their cars. Mass Transit - A vehicle or system designed to move large numbers of people safely and efficiently in an urban setting. Not to be confused with mere transit. Single occupancy cars are certainly transit. Cars are private transit vehicles operated for free on public transit systems: roads and streets, which everyone pays for through general fund taxes (gas taxes pay for only about half of car infrastructure). Bike Chain - A scheduled bicycle commute. Riders meet at a specific place and time, then ride together to a predetermined destination. Climate Change - The changes to our neighborhood, community, and world due to greenhouse gases. Think about that street nearby that seems to flood more often than when you were a kid. Think about how the air quality is pretty bad sometimes because of increased wildfires. Think about invasive bugs destroying more trees than they used to. Yes, climate change means more killer hurricanes and city-destroying wildfires. It means vast climate refugees abandoning their homes and resettling in communities throughout the world. But we don't see these types of events on a daily basis and humans are bad at reacting to "one-off" events of trauma. But we can begin to notice the subtle ways that climate change is slowly taking over our day to day life. Alternative Transportation - We need cars. Cars are amazing transportation! They are fast and convenient and they carry lots of stuff long distances. We need cars (and trucks)! But we don't need them to be our only option. In fact, we actually need them to be our backup option. Until bikes, busses, and trains become the default and driving a car becomes the alternative, we will continue to change our world in unpredictable and damaging ways. |