Hi,
I was just thinking about which transportation would be sustainable.
It's clear that walking is included, but there are probably some more. I tried to make a list:
1) on foot
2) kajak / canoe (other small boats)
3) riding on animals like horse, donkey, camel (any others?)
4) langlauf / skiing
5) sled (possibly with dogs)
Do you think these are sustainable?
Are there any other forms of transportation which should be in the list?
I think bikes are a great way of transportation, but since you need metal industry, tires, ... and last but not least roads they don't seem to be that simple and easy to make and maintain in a sustainable community. That's probably why the bike was only invented in the 19th century. Correct me if I'm wrong, since I saw some great engineering with an almost complete bamboo bicycle ( http://www.americanbamboo.org/GeneralInfoPages/BambooBicycle.html ) and a nice bamboo cart ( http://www.carryfreedom.com/bamboo.html - which I'm building these days, out of old metal tubes).
The bike is definately great in places with roads but what if roads couldn't be maintained anymore for some reason. Do you think the bike would still be a viable form of transportation without roads?
PS: wikipedia on sustainability:
Sustainability is a systemic concept, relating to the continuity of economic, social, institutional and environmental aspects of human society. It is intended to be a means of configuring civilization and human activity so that society, its members and its economies are able to meet their needs and express their greatest potential in the present, while preserving biodiversity and natural ecosystems, and planning and acting for the ability to maintain these ideals in a very long term. Sustainability affects every level of organization, from the local neighborhood to the entire planet.
greetings,
gunnix
EDIT new list:
1) on Foot
This is probably the most sustainable and popular form of travel in the world for humans. It's perfectly suited to our bodies and is thus also definately a healthy form of traveling. It's easy to maneuver and stop, and you can go on lots of different kinds of terrain.
It's possible to walk bearfooted, but shoes/sandals/snowshoes are a nice addon which don't need too much extra work/resources.
Some links:
http://www.hollowtop.com/sandals.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walk#Walking_as_transportation
2) Kayak / Canoe (other small boats)
Great way to travel over rivers. You can even carry a bike with you to use on land.
Some links:
http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/
http://www.foldingkayaks.org/
http://www.pakboats.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canoes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kayak
3) Riding on animals like horse, donkey, camel (any others?)
ludlowsurvivors said: "The problem with some of these is that they need a lot of caring for, especially in the foot/hoof department, also if riding long distances the rider has to be competent in horseman/womanship."
Redflex said: "My thoughts on horses. My horse is no longer shoed so no metal is used there, only need shoeing if doing lots of road work, so you can guess what I think of roads. You can use a bit less bridles so no metal there either.
If you double up with 2 horses you can use them to carry large loads which is not possible with bikes or on foot.
I also work my horse in the forest low impact compared to other equipment."
Toddy said: " Historically few could afford to ride."
4) (cross-country) Skiing
Only in areas with snow, and very good at it.
Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ski
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telemark_ski
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-country_skiing
5) Sled / Cart
A sled is best in snow (possible in sand/grass), while a cart (wheels) is best on flat land.
A sled with (un)mountable wheels would be nice.
It can be pulled by dogs, but Torjusg pointed out that it would be better to let women (or reindeer, moose or other ungulates) pull the sleds. Because dogs get very hungry and should better be kept in small numbers (1 or 2) for warning and hunting .
Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sled
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carts
6) Bicycle
Probably the most difficult to make from this list.
You need roads, but earth roads should be good enough.
Use of metal can be minimized by using bamboo/wood as much as possible. Bamboo frames can actually be as light and stronger then aluminium frames.
Tires made of rubber should be made strong (quite thick) and durable to prevent puncturing on less then ideal roads.
Links:
http://www.americanbamboo.org/GeneralInfoPages/BambooBicycle.html
http://www.carryfreedom.com/bamboo.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle
I was just thinking about which transportation would be sustainable.
It's clear that walking is included, but there are probably some more. I tried to make a list:
1) on foot
2) kajak / canoe (other small boats)
3) riding on animals like horse, donkey, camel (any others?)
4) langlauf / skiing
5) sled (possibly with dogs)
Do you think these are sustainable?
Are there any other forms of transportation which should be in the list?
I think bikes are a great way of transportation, but since you need metal industry, tires, ... and last but not least roads they don't seem to be that simple and easy to make and maintain in a sustainable community. That's probably why the bike was only invented in the 19th century. Correct me if I'm wrong, since I saw some great engineering with an almost complete bamboo bicycle ( http://www.americanbamboo.org/GeneralInfoPages/BambooBicycle.html ) and a nice bamboo cart ( http://www.carryfreedom.com/bamboo.html - which I'm building these days, out of old metal tubes).
The bike is definately great in places with roads but what if roads couldn't be maintained anymore for some reason. Do you think the bike would still be a viable form of transportation without roads?
PS: wikipedia on sustainability:
Sustainability is a systemic concept, relating to the continuity of economic, social, institutional and environmental aspects of human society. It is intended to be a means of configuring civilization and human activity so that society, its members and its economies are able to meet their needs and express their greatest potential in the present, while preserving biodiversity and natural ecosystems, and planning and acting for the ability to maintain these ideals in a very long term. Sustainability affects every level of organization, from the local neighborhood to the entire planet.
greetings,
gunnix
EDIT new list:
1) on Foot
This is probably the most sustainable and popular form of travel in the world for humans. It's perfectly suited to our bodies and is thus also definately a healthy form of traveling. It's easy to maneuver and stop, and you can go on lots of different kinds of terrain.
It's possible to walk bearfooted, but shoes/sandals/snowshoes are a nice addon which don't need too much extra work/resources.
Some links:
http://www.hollowtop.com/sandals.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walk#Walking_as_transportation
2) Kayak / Canoe (other small boats)
Great way to travel over rivers. You can even carry a bike with you to use on land.
Some links:
http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/
http://www.foldingkayaks.org/
http://www.pakboats.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canoes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kayak
3) Riding on animals like horse, donkey, camel (any others?)
ludlowsurvivors said: "The problem with some of these is that they need a lot of caring for, especially in the foot/hoof department, also if riding long distances the rider has to be competent in horseman/womanship."
Redflex said: "My thoughts on horses. My horse is no longer shoed so no metal is used there, only need shoeing if doing lots of road work, so you can guess what I think of roads. You can use a bit less bridles so no metal there either.
If you double up with 2 horses you can use them to carry large loads which is not possible with bikes or on foot.
I also work my horse in the forest low impact compared to other equipment."
Toddy said: " Historically few could afford to ride."
4) (cross-country) Skiing
Only in areas with snow, and very good at it.
Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ski
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telemark_ski
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-country_skiing
5) Sled / Cart
A sled is best in snow (possible in sand/grass), while a cart (wheels) is best on flat land.
A sled with (un)mountable wheels would be nice.
It can be pulled by dogs, but Torjusg pointed out that it would be better to let women (or reindeer, moose or other ungulates) pull the sleds. Because dogs get very hungry and should better be kept in small numbers (1 or 2) for warning and hunting .
Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sled
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carts
6) Bicycle
Probably the most difficult to make from this list.
You need roads, but earth roads should be good enough.
Use of metal can be minimized by using bamboo/wood as much as possible. Bamboo frames can actually be as light and stronger then aluminium frames.
Tires made of rubber should be made strong (quite thick) and durable to prevent puncturing on less then ideal roads.
Links:
http://www.americanbamboo.org/GeneralInfoPages/BambooBicycle.html
http://www.carryfreedom.com/bamboo.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle