Travel on the Sabbath?

Sabbath Days Journey

In the beginning God instructed Israel not to travel on the sabbath day.

Exodus 16:29-30

29 See, the LORD has given you the sabbath; therefore He gives you bread for two days on the sixth day. Remain every man in his place; let no man go out of his place on the seventh day."

30 So the people rested on the seventh day."

However the religious authorities found precepts in the law that they use to permit limited travel. This limit became as the Biblical "Sabbath days Journey." Israelites were permitted to travel about 8000 cubits (round trip) on the sabbath day.

A Biblical example of this is found in Acts 1:9,12, here Jesus ascended into heaven after instructing His disciples.

9 And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day's journey away."

The distance between Jerusalem and Mount Olivet is about 8000 cubits.

I don't there is anything wrong in travelling on the Sabbath if that travel is in line with the spirit of the Sabbath. Doing something not in your own interest but in the interest of the others. Christ said it is right to do good on the Sabbath.

In the time of the Old Testament, travel was laborious. It isn't any more, so it doesn't really apply unless you are walking. Why is it important?