Bus Chick's Manifesto
    When I was in the third  grade，I started riding the Metro bus alone.  At first， I was only allowed to ride to school, but eventually my parents extended the privilege to include my favorite chlidhood  hauns： Grandma's apartment, Pike Place Market and， in the summer,Seattle Center. Back then， the bus symbolized independence. It gave me a power rare among my eight-year-old peers：the ability to get around the city without the assistance of an adult .
    By the time l turned 16， a new power beckoned：a form of transportation that was available on demand and did not require  an umbrella or an extra pair of gloves. Like most young   Americans， I believed the auto industry's propaganda that a car was necessary for my transition   to adulthood， For the next ten years 一 except for a short time in college， when I found myself   unable to   afford a vehicle of my own―l left the bus behind. But then l accepted a job at a software company based 15 miles outside the city. During my commutes，I became more   aware of the negative impact of car culture：pollution， sprawl， isolation and fatalities. I began to question my right to subject my beloved city to the impact of my choices. So I returned to my  roots and began riding the bus to work. Eventually， I was using my car so rarely that I decided to try living without one.I sold my lovely silver coupe in March 2003 and have used the bus as  my primary means of transport ever since. 
    Riding the bus isn't always fun. I don't like riding it on rainy days， when the floor is sippery and the windows are so fogged-up that you can't see your stop.I don't like standing when the bus is crowded. I don't like drivers who ride the brakes.I don't like practical hairstyles   or sensible shoes. Despite these occasional inconveniences， I will never go back to driving， because what I believe is this： 
    I believe in siting next to my neighbors， in saying“How're you doing today?" and“Nice weather，isn't  it?" I believe in feeling  the sun on my skin， in breathing fresh air and moving my body. I believe in eavesdropping . I believe in novels you can't put down . I believe in business people and teenage lovers, middle-aged gossips and giggling toddlers. I believe in watching and  listening. I believe in naps. I believe in the camaraderie that develops among riders late at night, when the smooth-voiced driver plays jazz loud enough for everyone to enjoy.  I believe in clean air， in keeping cities populous and vibrant, and in protecting our remaining farmland and forests.  I believe in the beauty of Puget Sound and the majesty of Mount Rainier.I believe that human life is sacred.that the world's resources should be shared and that every choice matters. I believe that change is possible-if all of us ride.