In the beginning, it can be hard to feel comfortable using a new form of transportation. In the United States, I always use my car to drive to work and school, but in Chile it is impossible. I don't have a car and I would be scared to try and drive with all of the traffic. Using the metro can be scary at first because all the people rush into one small train and they bump into one another in their effort to squeeze on board. That is why I prefer walking to my destination—with the fresh air and beautiful sights to look at. The bus is nice because you can enjoy a good views of the city, but there are a lot more stops along the way!
People that use bicycles to get around do so because this is a fairly easy and cheap means of transportation. The choice to bike is also tied to the culture of environmental awareness in this country. In Santiago, the cars and buses produce a lot of smog. This smog can contaminate the air, and since the city is situated in the valley of a mountain range, all the air is trapped between the buildings and within the streets. Since respect for the environment is such a big part of Chilean culture, a lot of people choose to walk or bike when traveling within the city. These habits can reduce the waste and help protect the city.
