Bicycle, solar car, kayak, rollerblades and maybe even some cluster ballooning – these are just a few of the alternative modes of transport Boaz Frankel is going to use on his cross country Un-Road Trip. Over a ten week period, Frankel is going to travel across the USA and into parts of Canada to raise awareness about alternative forms of sustainable transport, oil dependency and climate change. His trip starts in April 2009.
We caught up with Boaz to ask a few questions about the ultimate Un-Road Trip.
Tell us a bit about the Un-Road Trip.
On April 19th I'll be setting out to explore the US, (and part of Canada), using as many modes of transportation- except gas-powered cars or buses.
I'll document the entire journey online through photos, twitter, blogs, and short documentary videos as I travel by foot, bike, train, dog powered tricycle, biplane, moped, horseback, amphibious canoe, and whatever else I can think of. I'll certainly achieve a greener trip by avoiding the favored mode of transportation, and hopefully discover some interesting alternative modes of transit while exploring lesser-seen parts of our country.
Where did the idea come from?
I've driven cross country twice and taken the train cross country a few times as well, and I started thinking about different ways I could make that trip. At the same time I was hearing about the energy crisis, global warming, and bankrupt car companies and it got me thinking. It seems like a good time to look beyond the automobile and start exploring other vehicles and options. And what better way to do that than by taking an Un-Road Trip?
There are so many fun ways to get around our cities, and I hope that people will start to take advantage of the alternatives.
What is the purpose of the trip?
There are a few different purposes for the trip. To explore alternative energies, unique vehicles, and see what sustainable transportation might look like. To meet interesting people and see beautiful places that the standard road trip would probably drive past. And to have a blast exploring the United States (and part of Canada)!
Are you hoping to raise awareness about oil/greenhouse gases?
I'm hoping that people become a little more conscientious. When they have to pick up their kids from down the street or drop off a book at the local library it seems that everyone automatically heads for their car. Some of these errands could be easily (and perhaps more enjoyably) completed on a bike or on foot or rollerblades or on a skateboard. There are so many fun ways to get around our cities, and I hope that people will start to take advantage of the alternatives. Try taking public transportation to work once a week. Instead of sitting in traffic in your car, you can read a book or knit a sweater or take a nap on the bus/train/streetcar.
How long do you think the trip will take?
I plan to complete the trip in 10 weeks.
How are you planning for it?
I've been sending a lot of emails and phone calls and talking to everyone I've ever met as I find places to stay, modes of transportation to try, and people to meet. I've been doing a lot of research online, trying to track down really unique and innovative vehicles.
How much of it will you just wing?
That's the tricky part- trying to find that balance. I've got the first few weeks pretty well scheduled, but after that I only have a few major stops planned. I'm trying to keep the connections between those stops pretty flexible so I can keep adding interesting things as I hear about them. I'll let you know whether that was a good idea in a few weeks.
How will you find the various forms of transport?
I've found most of the modes of transportation by searching online and talking to various friends across the country. I hope to use over one hundred modes of transportation—everything from amphibious canoe to a sail powered bike to an electric cooler cart to moon shoes.
I'm always on the lookout for new and interesting modes of transportation. Maybe someone's been building a solar powered chariot in their garage, or has a friend with a cool electric car, or knows someone who owns a garbage barge?
Will you avoid all gasoline/oil/kerosene burning transport or just all cars?
I won't do any gas-powered cars or buses. That includes no hybrid or bio-diesel. I will try out some electric and solar-powered cars though.
Will you document the trip?
Absolutely! I'll be documenting the trip through photos, blogs, twitter, and short videos. You can follow it all and get involved at www.unroadtrip.com
How can people help out? What do you need?
I'm always on the lookout for new and interesting modes of transportation. Maybe someone's been building a solar powered chariot in their garage, or has a friend with a cool electric car, or knows someone who owns a garbage barge? If so, they can contact me through www.unroadtrip.com. Or if someone has an extra bedroom or a couch I can crash on that would be cool too.
Visit: www.unroadtrip.com
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