EcoPotential

My Eco-Hero: Jordan Stewart, Green Commuter

Posted on Apr 21, 2010

As I was reading about the Eco-Heroes in the 2010 issue of the Arkansas Green Guide, my mind kept trailing off to thoughts of my Eco-Hero.  From my perspective, he is the greenest commuter in the state of Arkansas. (Maybe I’m biased.  I’m his mother!)

BEEP!  BEEP! BEEP! It’s 6 a.m., still dark outside, and Jordan Stewart’s alarm is sounding off, letting him know it’s time to get up and get ready for work.  After showering and ironing his clothes (including his long thermal underwear) he loads up on his three-wheeled bike (rain, snow, hot, cold) and makes his way to Harp’s Grocery store in Har-Ber Meadows.  Whether his trip is to work, grocery store, bank, dentist, hair cut, restaurant, etc., Jordan’s mode of transportation is his trusted bicycle.

What makes Jordan the greenest commuter I know?  Unlike most of us, the thought of driving verses walking rarely crosses his mind.  Although he may mutter something under his scarf when it is 30 degrees outside, he still backs his bike out of the garage and starts pedaling.  

Living with Down Syndrome, biking is not an “alternative” transportation option for Jordan. It is his main mode of transportation!

Fortunately for Jordan, Har-Ber Meadows is a master planned community where community members can live, work, play and attend to most basic services without the use of a car. 

Community connectivity is not only great for the environment, but it helps Jordan to be as independent as possible in his daily living.  

Jordan now has pedestrian or “pedal” access to almost “10 basic services” (LEED terminology) for most of his needs.  On a regular basis, he rides his bike to:

• Flying Burrito , Buffalo Wild Wings or Quiznos  for lunch
• SportClips for the buzz cut
• Harp’s for groceries
• Signature Bank to deposit his hard earned money
• Dr. Duckworth for regular teeth cleaning
•  Shake’s for frozen custard

Once again, another Eco-Hero has shown us that there is a triple bottom line return on investment (ROI) when we make sustainable transportation choices.

1. Environment ROI for biking vs. driving => less green house gases and less need for roads and parking lots
2. Economic ROI for biking vs. driving => less money spent on gas and auto maintenance
3. Social ROI for biking vs. driving => healthier commuters and independent productive citizens

He may not be a chancellor, sustainability coordinator, or green builder, but he’s my Eco-Hero and I plan to be more like him in my commuter decisions.
Karen Stewart, LEED AP