The Walk

Despite the stigmas of not owning a car, walking affords a much more intimate relationship with the places I live.

Hey everyone, this is Mike George coming at you on "special assignment" — which is really just my everyday routine here in Alexandria, Louisiana. I’m standing on scenic Lee Street, which has been my regular "stomping grounds" for the last four months.

You know, people often tell me I’m crazy for not having a car. I get all the shade and the stigma — people assume I'm poor or jobless just because I’m a militant pedestrian.

But for those who know me, this is my life. As an environmentalist who works in the energy industry, I think it’s absurd that we’ve built a world where everyone is forced to drive. Back in 2018, I made a pledge to never buy a car again. It was a tough sacrifice; I had to sell my Mazda, and she was a beaut — my "baby girl". But I’m done being beholden to gas prices and wondering if my car will start every morning. I decided it was time to vote with my feet."

At first, covering all this ground on foot felt like a chore, but the rewards are incredible. It’s built-in exercise, even on those days when I’m feeling "lazy as fuck" and just need to get downtown. More importantly, I’m finally part of the "urban fabric". When you’re zooming by at 35 miles per hour, you miss the details of the buildings and the faces of your neighbors. Now, I see everything.

I’ve even developed a bit of a reputation around here! People recognize me as that crazy guy who walks everywhere with a big stick with speakers on it. I love that identity. It’s like Sesame Street; everyone has their own little role and you get to know each character for the special thing they bring to the community. I never felt this level of intimacy with the city when I was just driving around in a car.

People often bring up crime as a reason to stay in their cars, but I see it differently. If "everyday people" stop walking, we basically surrender the streets to criminals. Choosing the comfort of an air-conditioned vehicle is often just another layer of excuses to avoid the "chore" of walking.

It’s been an emotionally fraught week for me, but being out here gives me a connection to this city that I never had during the years I spent driving. So, I’m wrapping this up from the corner of Lee Street and Bolton Street, heading to the library to do my thing.

Happy Friday, everyone. Take care of yourselves and take care of somebody else. Toodaloo!