Walking & Biking Forward: A Conversation with Abby Bleything

Vermont, often referred to as the "Green Mountain State," is known for its stunning natural beauty and commitment to environmental conservation. However, it faces a significant challenge with approximately 600,000 gas-powered cars on the road compared to only around 10,000 electric vehicles (EVs) on its roads. To address this imbalance and promote sustainable transportation, we spoke with Abby Bleything, Sustainable Transportation Program Manager at the University of Vermont, to gain insights into the best ways to enable people to drive less and embrace alternative forms of transportation.

Abby underscores the pivotal role of community design in driving change. She says, "I think, fundamentally, we need to design our communities in a way that allows people to live, work, and play in close proximity to one another." For Vermont, this means fostering compact communities where living, working, and leisure activities exist near one another. In a state known for its rural and sprawling communities, solutions such as micro-transit and carpooling are becoming essential. Abby describes micro-transit as "typically utilizing smaller vehicles on a more on-demand service, but it picks up people along the route."

Abby Bleything, Sustainable Transportation Program Manager. Photo courtesy of UVM.

Abby stresses that electric vehicles (EVs) are a piece of the puzzle, not the sole solution for Vermont's transportation challenge. She notes, "I think EVs are part of the mix, but I don't think EVs are the solution." Carpooling and micro-share programs feature prominently in the quest for sustainable alternatives, particularly in rural areas.

Collaboration across all levels emerges as a core component for ushering in sustainable transportation alternatives across the state. Abby highlights, "I think there's a role for policymakers, but I also think for advocates on the ground and everybody in between." Financial backing stands will be vital for starting initiatives that promote public transit and the development of bike and pedestrian infrastructure. She adds that “having the Congressional folks on board with financing things like public transportation, and bike and pedestrian infrastructure is critical."

Institutions of higher learning, such as the University of Vermont, serve as proving grounds for innovation. Abby says “that the role of an institution of higher education is pushing the envelope and seeing what new practices can result in. In this case, the reduction of single occupancy vehicles." UVM's role extends beyond academia, as it offers a dynamic environment for testing and implementing groundbreaking transportation solutions, forging faculty-staff alliances and attracting attention to the cause.

In terms of policies, Abby emphasizes the significance of UVM's initiatives that discourage single-occupancy vehicle use and endorse sustainable alternatives. She notes, "We have been actively working on reducing single occupancy vehicles and continue to raise the bar as we set new goals and documents in place." UVM's commitment to sustainable transportation is evident in its efforts to promote biking and walking, providing free access to the Green Mountain Transit Bus system for students and faculty, and investing in electric vehicle infrastructure on campus.

Abby is optimistic about the future of sustainable transportation in Vermont. She believes that by working together, we can create a more sustainable transportation system that benefits everyone.

"I think it's definitely possible," she says. “We have the resources, we have the people, we have the will. It's just a matter of making it happen."