A few things about why I’m working to make The Transit Trekker Manual more than just another travel guide:

Those of us who cannot drive deserve the same kind of access to outdoor recreation spaces as those who can drive and have enjoyed that access for nearly the last 100 years. Nondrivers are much more likely to be disabled, BIPOC, and/or low income, which suggests that one of the most effective ways to increase equitable access to the outdoors is to make sure transit serves our outdoor recreation destinations and includes safe routes for walking and rolling.

Many people who can drive would prefer the option to use transit for outdoor recreation as well as other travel — because they hate driving, would prefer not to bear the financial burden of owning a car, or because they recognize it is imperative to tread much lighter in the face of climate change. About ¾ of the people on the Transit Trekker mailing list say they want or are trying to drive less. The rest are nondrivers, some by choice, most not by choice.

Rural communities neighbor many recreation destinations. Contrary to popular assertion, many have large proportions of non-drivers. Nondrivers in these regions need and deserve the same mobility our transportation system delivers to drivers — be it transit, walking, biking or rolling. 

The manual will offer readers detailed trip guides to help them find the best transit treks possible from their communities, eliminating hours of research and planning and logistics coordinating transit schedules and connections to figure out the best days and times to travel.

The manual will also encourage readers to take up advocacy prompts — small acts they can take as they plan and enjoy their transit treks that can show the unmet demand for increased rural mobility and transit-accessible recreation to decision makers and funders — think state and local governments, recreation businesses, transit agencies, departments of transportation, and so forth — and direct readers to statewide grassroots organizations working on mobility justice that they can learn from, support, and engage through. 

In addition to one-time support you can now pledge monthly via the cooperatively owned and operated Camradery, an alternative to Patreon.

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