The Water Cooler!, Refreshing the world's waters

Riding the 'Cool Tubes' of a Water Cooler roadway.

Exactly, what are The 'Cool' Tubes
of a Water Cooler Roadway?

They are roadways designed for people - people riding bicycles, people walking and jogging, people riding small electric powered scooters, a Segway or an electric bike.
They are quite different than roadways designed for cars and trucks; this is because they are designed for people. Here, a jogger or a bicyclist is 'King-of-the-Road'. They are not an after-thought, like a bike lane running down the side of a street.
They are a hybrid. They combine a transportation system, a recreational facility and an emergency transportation system.
They are very different from bike trails or hiking paths because they emphasize 'transportation' - this means getting from point A to point B because you have to go, to fulfill some need. Recreational facilities, like bike trails, are used mostly on weekends and evenings and almost always during nice weather.
A recreational user starts at point A, goes on a ride, then returns to point A. A transportation user might start from his home in the morning and ride to work or school, as an example.
The Water Cooler roadway networks serve both functions. This is possible because this is a requirement for their design.
As a transportation system they need to move lots of people quickly, cost-effectively and safely. They need to go where people have to go; like from the suburbs into center city. And, with today's social concerns - oil consumption, traffic congestion, climate change, etc. - they must be environmentally friendly; they must be 'green'.
As a recreational facility they must be pleasant, fun to use, provide aerobic exercise (obviously), by free or very low cost, be nearby and easily accessible and they must be safe. They need to be safe enough for young, say 10 year old, children to use.
For transportation and for recreation, they need to be usable in all weather conditions, day and night, every day of the year. It would be good if they were immune to heavy snow, floods and electrical power outages.

These descriptions are just a few of the requirements. The Water Cooler Company has prepared a detailed list of the design requirements for our roadway networks.

Of course, they must be attractive, have good lighting, be clean and quiet, filled with fresh air and include entertainment systems;
But, in addition:

You must enjoy riding within the system; you must have fun. Kids, adults and seniors as well can 'get out of the house', even when there are unpleasant weather conditions (rain, snow, wind, sun, heat and cold). This also means there is no concern that rain may begin after have arrived at a destination and are obliged to ride home. You and your kids can walk, roller-blade or ride bike without the dangerous and unpleasant interference of motor vehicle traffic on roadways.

_________________________________________
They are 'cool'; and, you will feel 'cool'. The dictionary says 'cool' means "characterized by great facility; highly skilled or clever; socially adept" We think the 'Roadways for People' can be very 'cool'. Their design must be clever; they have immense facility; and, socially speaking, they can, we believe, change the world - perhaps save it.

You will experience a major improvement in your health. By introducing a moderate amount of exercise into your daily life, you can significantly improve your overall health, well-being and quality of life. And the health benefits of exercise can be achieved by virtually everyone, regardless of age, sex, race or physical ability. The merits of exercise — ranging from preventing chronic health conditions to boosting your confidence and self-esteem — are hard to ignore. Read what The Mayo Clinic doctors say:
Excerpts from The Mayo Clinic Medical Research and Education

You will save $150, $250 or even more each month. Commuters, school children going to/from school and those running routine errands and shopping trips deserve - and need - a viable alternative to jumping into a car. This addictive habit is costly, environmentally unfriendly, sometimes stressful, growing to become a family budget-buster, makes no contribution to anyone's health or well-being - and, will grow worse. Check out this site:
The True Cost of Driving.

These roadways are safe, not only from being hit by a car, but they have a sophisticated computerized security system that prevents 'unknown men' from accessing the tubes (there are also the normal security cameras and local police patrols) - especially for a child, young woman or a senior citizen, they can feel much safer than walking on a public sidewalk.

By using the 'roadways for people', will be making a positive contribution to the fight against several major societal concerns (global warming, oil dependency, traffic congestion, rising healthcare costs and the childhood obesity epidemic). Click here to see
'Twelve Big Benefits']

By encouraging school districts, where applicable, to reduce school busing will be helping the struggling educational system. Public schools spend $700 per year per student to provide school busing. If gas prices continue to soar, officials are not sure where the extra money will come from. This money is really meant to be for education. Consider this: children riding bikes get strong and trim - being chauffered around makes them fat and dependent.

The well-known deterrents to riding a bicycle will disappear. No potholes, no storm grates, no one popping-out from behind a parked car, no car doors suddenly opening just as you are passing by, no red lights, no intersections, no stop lights, no more yelling 'car behind', no more rude drivers, no more being a 'second-class citizen' - now, for the first time, bikers will be KINGS OF THE ROAD.

There should be FREE public use bicycles. Just as Shopping Baskets are available for food shoppers, and every bowling alley has balls available for its customers, The 'roadways for people' will have bicycles, electric motorbikes and other vehicles and items (bike trailers, for example, to carry young children and packages) available for users. Private bikes are also permitted, after an inspection for suitability. This is critical, since some cannot afford their own bicycles, many fear theft of their bikes, and many would not deal with the hassle of transporting their bike to the entrance station.

Reduce pedestrian injuries and deaths. In the U.S.A. alone, 669 children ages 14 and under died from pedestrian injuries. In 2002, nearly 43,300 children ages 14 and under were treated in hospital emergency rooms for pedestrian-related injuries. "Crazed cabbies, aggressive sports utility drivers and cell phoning motorists can make New York City streets feel dangerous. Unfortunately, this perception is accurate. Every year, motorists strike and injure an average of 15,000 pedestrians and 4,500 bicyclists in New York City."

You will be 'riding for your cause'. You may feel strongly about childhood obesity, sedentary lifestyles, global warming, the pending 'oil peak', the $200 billion annual cost of traffic congestion in the U.S. or simply encouraging family activities that are healthy and uplifting. Or, perhaps you care about the environment - the 'roadways for people' are designed from the start to be 'Environmentally Friendly'. Click here to see the
'Twelve Big Causes']

It is a nearby recreational facility - entrance is close to your front door, not boring like the gym, a variety of recreation options, something to do with the entire family. We've all heard of 'the wind chill factor' that makes being outside feel colder than it really is. Well, the enclosed roadways also protect from the wind. In winter you won't get too cold if you are doing aerobic exercise - there are periodic rest areas with infrared heaters. In summer, you will see the signs, "Misting Station In Left Lane".

Helping avoid future global warfare. On Jan. 2, 2008 OAPEC announced they may not be able to meet the world's growing demand for oil. A U.S. Army study predicts: "the effect (of the 'oil-peak') will be abrupt and reveloutionary. Over the centuries nations have gone to war fighting over limited natural resources. Believe it on not, many experts say riding bikes is one possible solution for reducing dependency on foreigh oil. Read this sobering study:
The Hirsch Report

Helping the environment. The 'roadways for people' are constructed and operated with minimum impact on the land, plant life, wildlife, water flow, roadways, structures and existing or planned use of the areas beneath and nearby the network’s roadways and other facilities; and, incorporate other ‘environmentally friendly’ features - like having solar panels incorporated into the roof.

The roadways are assembled from pre-designed and pre-fabricated modular components and cost 1/100th as much as widening a street. They are installed with no construction mess or disruption within the neighborhood.

The roadways are not affected by snowstorms or floods. Imagine riding inside on your bike or electric-motor powered scooter while looking down at those poor souls stuck on snow-covered highways.