In honor of Transportation Week, here are some activities you may want to do to either learn more about transportation in general, or to use alternative forms for a change of scenery (or even a lifestyle).

• Take public transportation—especially if you’ve never done so before. You will likely learn more about your area than you ever thought possible, meet some very interesting people, see areas you may have never seen, and probably even save some gas. Who knows? Maybe you’ll opt to take it more often in the future.
• Use a bike. Not only will you get where you need to go; you’ll also get a workout on the way. Bonus! Take your bikes out as a family and enjoy the summer weather together as well. Don’t just use them on the bike trails—ride them to the bike trails if you can.
• Watch the film Who Killed the Electric Car? Find out how these quiet, gasless vehicles were made, sold—and then destroyed.
• Watch the movie Cars with your kids. Okay, this one isn’t particularly insightful, but it will get your children aware of the various kinds of transportation out there, and possibly even asking questions about how cars are made, where they come from, what kinds there are—and, of course, if they really talk or not.
• Take the train. Riding a train is a very cool experience, especially if you’re traveling over mountains. Kids might really enjoy seeing the world from this new perspective.
• Carpool. Find out how your coworkers drive and save some gas (as well as wear and tear on your own vehicle) by sharing a ride.
• Visit a transportation museum. St. Louis has a wonderful, inexpensive one with trains to tour, children’s exhibits, a small train for kids to ride, and more.
• List all of the alternative ways of transportation you can think of. Make it a family project. So what if your child comes up with a pogo stick, a flying car, and a magic carpet? Be creative and have some fun. Maybe you’ll inspire the next revolutionary invention.
• Analyze your transportation use. How much gas do you use in a week? How much money could you save by consolidating your trips or driving just 10% less?
• Get a hybrid vehicle. If you can afford one and you’re in need of a car, that is.