Lying in the dirt, sensing the tugs and pulls, but no longer the pain, and watching the world grow black, you may begin to assess what brought you to this wretched end. A car? A bike? A dirigible perhaps? Maybe it was good old-fashioned foot power that bore you to your finale. Whichever the answer, your choice was wrong. To circumvent this disastrous conclusion we must better understand the options before us.
Most pre-zombies will spout off the name of some ludicrous military vehicle or giant civilian truck, some even fancy vehicular weaponry (tanks, etc.), as the optimal apocalyptic conveyance. The last thing you need is a damn tank leading an unholy army to your doorstep. If these soon-deads are discovered in your group, remember that they are more easily dealt with whilst still alive. This kind of bravado thinking is best left for a combat zone, not a zombie encounter. Common sense is the key to this riddle, not testosterone.
A new, more appropriate means can be obtained after the destination is reached, so only plan for the immediate trip. Armor, load capacity, speed; these things are of little importance in the Zombiclypse. One should be focusing on is whether this will transport me safely to my destination, not can this kill every zombie and destroy every abandoned car on the road. Quiet, fuel efficiency, and easily maintained are values of Zombiegeddon. That lifted, Super Duty, daily driver pick-up is going to be about as practical as it was before the end of the world.
To choose transportation means to know the area from point A to B very well. Planning for a trip means determining the safest route and the most practical and least complicated way to travel it. If the path leads off-road you should be riding on two wheels instead of four. Extended hard terrain travel will damage your vehicle, a bicycle or motorcycle is simply easier to maintain. If you need to transport supplies you should be riding on four legs instead of two. Pack animals will haul a load without the inconvenience of alerting every zed in the vicinity. In the odd event you find a straight, obstacle free road to your haven, you could conceivably use a four-wheeled vehicle safely. This would be a rare occurrence and there should be some means of advanced survey before heading out. Travel in a city is the easiest to gauge, you should be on foot, no question. If you travel a city by vehicle, you will die.
Waterways, air travel and the like present their own specific benefits and dangers. Zombies can’t fly or swim so these locations may be temporary salvation. Planes, boats, etc. are specialized forms of transport and should be capitalized upon when the situation calls. When choosing an abstract vehicle though, the same considerations as above should be applied. You won't need a gunship.
Technology and necessity will prove a formidable ally in future ghoul encounters. As we slowly, slowly progress beyond fossil fuels, we will enter an age of far superior options for trekking the dead wastes of Planet Z. Advanced hydrogen and solar vehicles will provide for quieter, lighter, and incredibly efficient travel. And then, on one fine day, we will be blessed with the ultimate tool in or struggle against the shamblers… transportation. “When we journey no more, we will embark on our triumph.”
Recognize, Revitalize, Actionize.
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For more info:
Fear of Obama and Zombies
Bullets vs Blades vs Zombies
Understanding the zombie animal
Comments
what if you dont know how to ride a motorcycle? would a fourwheeler do just as well? and whats wrong with trucks?they have 4cylinder trucks out there wouldnt that be a good alternative?
Trucks are a no go because of the gas they suck up, how little of it there will be when the 'pocalypse happens, and because of their bulkyness. Though you could run over a decent amount of zeds with one, I think getting stranded in the outskirts of a city with a horde of flesh eating zombies moaning after you makes it a less likely candidate for zombie apocalypse vehicle.
As for the motorcycle, I suggest you learn how to ride one, or become friends with someone who knows how to ride one, and then make sure they know how to survive. For the most part, a bike takes up the least amount of road, gas, and energy as opposed to the truck or even 4 wheeler. They're better capable of handling tight turns, faster when trying to outrun the zeds, and you're more able to avoid bumps in the road by driving around them rather than over.
Fantastic article, by the way, as always. My favorite line: "If you travel a city by vehicle, you will die." Couldn't have put it better or more simply myself
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