John Francis, Ph.D. is known around the world as the "Planet Walker." Following a tragic oil spill in the San Francisco Bay in 1971, he took a vow to reject motorized transportation. Some time later he added a vow of silence which lasted 17 years. An author, traveler, student, and teacher, John Francis has explored every continent without the use of motorized travel. “Planet Walker” is the title of his autobiography as well as a documentary film about his life released in 2024.