Why I Walk

Book excerpt: This memoir of life as a committed pedestrian in a beautiful Southern city explores the many joys and benefits of walking as a way of life. Raised on the notion that driving is the essence of freedom, many of us still cling to the belief that the American Dream is defined by a house in the suburbs and a car in the garage. But in Why I Walk, Kevin Klinkenberg shares a very different dream life—and a very different kind of freedom. A few years ago, Kevin moved to Savannah, Georgia, from Kansas City, Missouri. In large part, he chose his new home because he was seeking a truly walkable place to live. Going beyond the typical arguments against suburbia, he shows how walking on a daily basis has improved his health, finances, social life, and sense of personal freedom. By focusing directly on the real, measurable advantages of choosing to be a pedestrian, Why I Walk makes a convincing case for ending our love affair with the automobile—and rekindling the romance of walking.