Cars by the Hour

When son Isaac and his wife Rebekah were students in Montreal they didn't own a car and got around by bicycle and public transit. The time came though when they realized how inconvenienced they were when it came to buying groceries or getting to destinations off the beaten transit path or heading out of town to hike and camp.

Should they buy a "beater" with the prospect of repairs, unreliability, insurance, and Montreal parking? No, instead they chose to sign up with Communauto, the car share program in the city. They could walk ten minutes down the hill from their apartment to a pick-up spot for a late-model vehicle which they had booked online. They could reserve for an hour, a day, a week if they so chose. This solution fit their earth care sensibilities which were "driven," at least in part, by their Christian convictions about being good stewards of the world God has created.

Yesterday Avis, the car rental company, announced the half billion dollar purchase of Zipcar the multi-city car share outfit. Zipcar finally made money in 2012 and Avis has decided that rather than trying to beat 'em, they'll buy 'em. The rental companies, including Avis, have scoffed at the car share concept for years. Now they are seeing the possibilities, and of course Avis has locations already, and a fleet of vehicles which could do double-duty.

We have been a one-car household for years, possible because we may be the only couple in Durham where both of us walk to work. I do try to walk to the hospital and to appointments for health reasons as much as environmental ones. I do my best to avoid the "lemming lines" at fast food joints because I hate an idling car. Could I do better? Certainly, but I am mindful of the impact of the internal combustion engine. What point is there in being a member of a denomination which opposes the unbridled expansion of the oil sands and the building of pipelines if I'm not willing to do my part when it comes to curtailing my use of fossil fuels?

What are you doing to reduce your tailpipe emissions? I'm referring to your car! Any thoughts about this development with Avis? Can we reimagine our car culture? Would you consider sharing a car under the right circumstances?