Author: Mark Abell
Automobiles can fittingly be described as the plaque that clogs the arteries of our fair city, Buffalo.
Thankfully, incremental solutions to alleviating blockages in our city’s cardiovascular system boldly present themselves such as the use of Allen Street-based Buffalo CarShare (FB), which allows a group of users to share one vehicle. Locally, CarShare is a raging success with 700 active member and 17 vehicles.
Another form of handy transportation is the national application (app) Lyft – available for most trips in-and-around Buffalo (featured here on BRO).
Then there’s (hopefully) Uber-not yet available locally, that will allow users to book taxi rides via their smartphones with local drivers lessening the need for individual car ownership (featured here on BRO).
In addition, Buffalo BikeShare (lead image – Social Bicycles) has rolled out a pilot stage rental of well-maintained bicycles that are activated with a numerical key code (FB). The program will likely expand and make urban commuting via bicycle accessible to a wider demographic – learn more.
Both of the bike and carshare programs are welcome early approaches to lessening traffic congestion, car dependence and the need for individual car ownership in our region.