By Marissa Amoni –
No idling. Less straws. Fewer cars. More bike lanes. I think Aurora has a bit of catching up to do, but it’s possible that we can become a greener city with not too much effort. I always think of it as a challenge to execute activities with a little less harm toward the earth. If we all can get on board with that challenge, Aurora can be an example for other cities in the Fox Valley area.
I have been taking the number 530 Pace bus to work in downtown Aurora for almost two years. I can say that I’ve waited at the bus stop in every kind of weather from sleet to rain to snow. It hasn’t been easy being a one-car family, and I do appreciate help from my friends and family on occasion or a Lyft ride here or there, but being able to hop on the bus has given me great freedom as well as appreciation for public transportation.
I enjoy the convenience of the bus, and because it runs twice an hour, it has never been a hardship. It’s easy to jump in the car without a thought to get to the next destination, or pick up the kids from school, or go to the gym. But I don’t have that option without a car in the garage. I either hoof it, ride my bike, or take the bus. My son and I have walked in buckets of rain the eight blocks to his elementary school, and we’ve laughed and almost cried, but I’m proud that we’re part of the solution and not part of the problem.
It’s tough to take on our own behaviors. My daughter loves drinking out of straws. I bought bamboo straws as a Christmas gift, so that helps when we remember them. I think it really hit home when I was picking up litter at a clean-up event presented by Aurora Downtown in downtown Aurora in late Winter. Straws, cigarette butts, and Swisher Sweets cigar wrappers were filling up my bag, along with take-out cups and lids.
We live in a disposable society. We do what’s convenient. But how much should convenience cost us? One quick fix that can help outdoor air quality at schools is to have no idling zones. Mavis Bates, founder of Aurora GreenFest, shared that idea more than a year ago.
Linda Cole came into my office last week and shared with me a no-straw campaign that she saw at a restaurant in another city. Cole, former Fox Valley Park District president, said she’d like to see a similar campaign at restaurants in Aurora, perhaps starting in downtown. Instead of servers automatically sticking a straw into a water glass, patrons can ask for one, if needed.
There are simple, every-day things that we can all do to make Aurora a greener place. Giving up a street parking spot in front of a residence in favor of having a bike lane instead, would be a huge step in the green direction. Passing on taking the straw or turning off the car for a few minutes might be small steps, but they all add up to making for a more comfortable and livable world.
Marissa Amoni is the event coordinator for Aurora Downtown, an organization of business and property owners in downtown Aurora’s SSA #One. If you see her waiting at a bus stop, please wave. If you see her on her bicycle, please give her four feet when you pass her.