RULES: Walk and Walk All Over The Place
Sometimes I shake my finger at my children and say, “You Must Have Fun!” They say this is a good rule. It is.
The other best-ever rule is the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Quite simply, as is evident in the first sentence of this manifesto on life worth living, the code suggests that we all have the basic human right to enjoy sunrises, sunsets, breezes, tickley grasses and sparkly water while we have time on the planet. The code states that: “Everyone has the right to be on most land and inland water providing they act responsibly.” This means you can’t hurt or bother things or animals (including people). You can’t take things away to sell. You must keep your dog from bothering things and animals (including people). It means that you can’t invade privacy. One of the best aspects of The Code is the re-designation of land-owners, along with other people such as caretakers and occupants, as “land managers” which is the right idea—property rights define us as stewards, not feudal lords. Is there anything that I don’t love about this rule? Let-me-think-about-it-for-as-long-as-it-takes-me-to-type-this-sentence-NO.
What happens is that people end up wanting to walk. Land managers end up providing appropriate and non-invasive pathways so that people can walk. And the collective psyche changes.
Thoreau has it right. We explore our world and ourselves via concentric circles using the least amount of travel technology—this is how we ignite our humanity. The very integrity of the heart, soul, mind and moral compass are dependent on this intimacy with place. Without a policy such as the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, self-knowledge (and therefore empathy) is impossible. WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR? Here’s the next verse of the Pretzel Time song:
It’s a basic human right to walk with grace
Walk and walk all over the place
Like it or not my friend, it’s in your face
Why not here and NOW?
Policy makers! Change the rules!! Conceptualize and implement laws that encourage walking! Land ownership must be redefined! Non motorized travel will be rediscovered! People will start showing up without their cars! Right here in my back yard I want to see the inside road of Grand Teton National Park closed to cars. How about hundreds of Free White Bikes (or any color you prefer)? Let’s provide regular, comfortable shuttle busses that can carry bikes. This particular example is low-hanging fruit, a no brainer.
It’s an emergency! We need to do this RIGHT NOW.
And speaking of showing up without your car! What if we all started showing up at events, parties, schools, work, EVERYWHERE without our cars? Can you imagine? Think of the freedom! Policy would follow. Architecture would follow. Urban planning would follow. It’s time to extricate the psyche from the car, using the Jaws of Life metaphorically—before we have to use them literally..