FlexCar Fans
Compiled by Susan Soper; Photos by Collin Kelley
Fred Boykin , 56
Where I live: Decatur, with wife Jane and daughter Hannah, 9.
What I do and how I get there: Owner of Bicycle South (www.bicyclesouth.com) — mostly commute by bicycle.
My car: A 2000 Dodge Durango I use for long trips and towing a boat.
How I use Flexcar: For short trips and errands. I recently reserved a Prius and took a four-day weekend trip to Myrtle Beach for a family wedding. Used less than 15 gallons of gas! Plus no wear and tear on my car.
Why it works for me: It's easy to use, reduces the need for a second car in the family, saves us money since we don't have to pay for gas or maintenance. I am a Decatur City Commissioner and think the Flex car program offers a way to reduce the need for parking spaces in Decatur – both on the street and in developments. You have the option to be a one-car (or no car!) family. It's practical; you have to do a little bit of planning ahead, but you only use the car when you need it.
The oddest item I found left behind in a Flexcar is: I've found a lipstick once and directions to someone's house another time.
Other green things I do: We combine a week's errands into one trip. Take the MARTA trains as often as possible (airport, Downtown, etc.) Recycle as much as possible; Decatur has a great recycling system set up for residents.
Kelly Gearhart, 29
Where I live: Grant Park
What I do and how I get there: I am a project manager in commercial green building services at Southface Energy Institute.
My car: I don’t own one. I sold my Honda Insight in April after about four great years of use.
How I use Flexcar: In conjunction with MARTA, walking and biking to get to work around town, work out of town, family visits, and vacations.
Why it works for me: Flexcar fills in that missing piece for me about how I like to move around this and other cities. I enjoy walking, taking the train, and riding my bike. Owning a car was never a priority for me. Having reliable transportation is.
The oddest item I found left behind in a Flexcar is: Folks tend to clean up after themselves, but I look forward to finding something bizarre. I wonder sometimes when I pop the trunk if there will be a surprise. Nothing amazing yet beyond a hanger and some CDs.
Other green things I do: I work every day to mitigate the negative human impact on the environment and increase the positive human impact. At Southface our mission is to promote sustainable homes, workplaces and communities through education, research, advocacy and technical assistance. At home, I try not to rely on fossil fuels to keep my house comfortable or to dry my laundry. I compost and recycle. I put my consumer and investor dollars to work in the sectors of industry I believe are doing the right things simultaneously for people, the environment, and the bottom line.
David D. Emory , 28
Where I live: Plaza Midtown (West Peachtree and Peachtree Place).
What I do and how I get there: I am a transportation planner for the Atlanta Regional Commission. Our offices are Downtown at Edgewood Avenue and Courtland Street, within walking distance of either the Peachtree Center or Five Points MARTA stations. Normally, I take the train, but often I walk the whole way home in the afternoon if the weather is nice. It takes about 45 minutes.
My car: I do not own one.
How I use Flexcar: On average once or twice a week, though it varies. Common trips include taking recyclables to a nearby collection center and shopping for larger items that are difficult to transport on the bus or train (Ikea, Home Depot, etc). There are Flexcars outside my office, and, while I have used it for midday errands, this is relatively rare. I also once used a Flex car for a weekend trip to Asheville, N.C., to visit family.
Why it works for me: I do not drive enough to justify the expense and hassle of owning a car, and Flexcar allows me access to one when I need it.
The oddest item I found left behind in a Flexcar is: Nothing too unusual – generally they are very clean.
Other green things I do: Recycling, bicycling, environmental advocacy.
Heather Alhadeff
Where I live: Castleberry Hill.
What I do and how I get there: Transportation planning for the City of Atlanta. I walk to work.
My car: I don’t own one. My last car was a 1977 MGB. I used it mainly just for fun, but not to get to work, because I have been walking to work for many years now. A long time would pass between use and I would forget where I had left it!
How I use Flexcar: I use cars that are near my office and home. Sometimes I have used a car outside of my area, but that’s because I needed that particular type of car (in that case it was a mini-van so I could move large boxes). I use Flexcar to visit my family in the ‘burbs, away soccer games, and for bulk shopping like at Home Depot.
Why it works for me: I can’t always predict when I need a car, but Flexcar membership means I can use one even at the last minute. It’s very convenient and easy to use.
The oddest item I found left behind in a Flexcar is: It’s always clean. However, I did leave my favorite nail polish in a car once and the staff at Flexcar got it back to me.
Other green things I do: I attend Green Drinks gatherings with a group of friends who are "green minded."
John Councilman, 29
Where I live: East Point, with my wife, Meg.
What I do and how I get there: AT&T (Lindbergh), I get there via MARTA.
My car: A leased 2005 Honda Accord, for getting to and from MARTA. I am turning it in this December. We are not going to replace it.
How I use Flexcar: I use it at work to run errands (Home Depot, Target, mall, lunch, etc.), and my wife and I will sometimes rent a convertible on the weekends for fun.
Why it works for me: I hate dealing with Atlanta traffic and also don’t see the point in driving to work by myself. With Flexcar, I am now able to leave the car at home and still have access to one while at work if I need it. There are three cars parked at my building, so one is always available anytime I need it.
The oddest item I found left behind in a Flexcar is: Besides some interesting mix CDs, I’ve never seen anything left behind.
Other green things I do: I try to ride my bike when I can. Also, when driving to the shopping center or grocery store, we always carpool with neighbors if possible in order to save trips. We also recycle and bring our own bags to the grocery store.
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