daihard 

I'm the same. I've always liked driving fast cars. I still do. OTOH, riding a bike is so much more fun and so much more fulfilling, I've been feeling less and less attached to my current car (a 2010 GTI). I've driven less than 20 miles in the last two weeks. I may even get rid of it in a few months, if not right away.

no1mad 

I didn't really mind it when I could drive, but I don't really miss it now that I can't.

dynodonn 

I no longer have interest in driving fast cars since I now barely drive the speed limit, and when I do get the urge to go fast, it's on my bike and which I still cannot attain the speed limit designated for many of our local roads. I plan to keep my car since spur of the moment decisions, travel time and distance to some destinations that are still my biggest concerns.

Ekdog

Do you exceed the speed limit?

dwinks

You mean those numbers on the signs on the side of the road? Most of the moron drivers around here (pretty much everyone behind a wheel), I think honestly believes those signs are a MINIMUM...no joke.

The constant remarks I overhear about "going the limit" and such make it pretty apparent that the posted 'limit' is regarded as the slowest someone is supposed to go.

Then again, the penalty for speeding is basically nothing more than an extra tank of gas worth of dollars and that's about it, so why bother driving below the limit when the penalty is all but non-existent.

Roody

In my state, the speed limits are now based on the 85th percentile of actual speeds. That results in speed limits being raised by up to 15 mph on many streets and highways. They will probably raise freeway speeds to either 80 or even 85 mph next year. Stoopid!

daihard 

Actually, that makes sense from the automotive standpoint. I've read studies that state that you're the safest at the 85th percentile of the flow of the traffic. I wouldn't like that on regular roads, but I wouldn't mind it on the freeways where we don't ride anyway.

Ekdog

Our government has raised the speed limit from 120 kph to 130 on some highways, even though they are perfectly aware that this will result in lower fuel efficiency, more pollution, more maiming and more death.

https://www.theguardian.com/environme...aths-pollution

Ekdog

Do you speed?

Ekdog

I can think of several good reasons. Is a stiff fine the only thing that will restrain your urge to trash the environment and put the lives of innocent people at risk?

locolobo13 

If by driving you mean rush hour, bumper to bumper, red light every few blocks, no AC on a hot summer day. Nope, I don't like that.

If you mean driving down a country road exploring, going new places. Love it.

The secret to driving in heavy traffic is learning to relax. Take it easy. You'll get there. The only times I start getting stressed is when it sounds like my junker is going to die right in the middle of a busy intersection. Even then people are usually pretty cool. Most of the time someone comes over and helps you push it off the road. I try to reciprocate when possible.

Notgrownup

I love driving... i have a 2012 Ford Flex and it drives and rides beautifully...I rode 4 hours 1 way yesterday to Martinsville VA to the Nascar Race... The smell of that race fuel i tell you is like a fine perfume...

no motor?

I used to, but don't anymore. I drove 1, 500 miles in the last 6 months, and most of it was to work and back when I wasn't able to ride. And most of that was in stop and go traffic, something most people find annoying. I still like my car though.

enigmaT120

I don't care for driving, but I like riding motorcycles. Only on empty back roads, the same places I ride my bicycle. The only way I'm really calm in traffic is if I'm in a bus. Or walking, I guess.

Roody

I think it's weird that you would share driving secrets on a carfree forum. Why don't you just get rid of your junker and let go of the stress? Even if you have to sell it to a salvage yard, you'll probably get enough to purchase a decent bike.

kjmillig

That's exactly what I'll likely be doing very soon. Although I'll probably get a bike for my daughter or maybe my wife.

I-Like-To-Bike

No weirder than the OP's question and the responses being posted on a carfree forum.

HonestOne

It's really interesting reading through peoples responses, I had no idea people disliked driving/being in cars so much! I especially like driving up the mountain, sitting in my car with my now fiance, and watching lighting fall around our city. Take a warm snack or some hot-cocoa with you to and you're set, I love it.

locolobo13 

lol. Answering the OP honestly. I'm not carfree but check the forum from time to time. I have been car free from time to time. But not due to stress. Mostly due to financial considerations. I could afford a car most of those times but had better uses for the money at the time. When I got far enuff ahead or needed a car I bought a cheap one and put putted along. As someone said above a car is a tool. So is a bicycle, at least to me.

BTW: I will end up selling my current junker to a salvage yard. It has a cracked head I'm not going to fix. But I'll buy another. Stress? No more than other things.

ahmetcan44

Long distance driving with no spare driver = reason to hate driving.

Driving within the city limits, for short distances is easier and makes you think driving can be useful sometimes. Also countries like Turkey, have no protective laws over cyclists. So, you have to choose driving on some occasions, even if you are keen on cycling. Sad but true.

Roody

The same is true in most (if not all) of the states in America--no laws protecting cyclists. In my state, the legislature is considering a law that would give pedestrians and cyclists the same protection that highway workers and police officers now have--heavy fines and jail time for motorists who hit us. But I've got to say, the lack of protective laws has never stopped me personally from riding.

noglider 

I dislike driving, because it feels so stupid. There is a wonderful quote from the cult movie Repo Man: "The more you drive, the less intelligent you are."

However, I love driving to our country home. I even love driving back. These trips are pretty much the only exceptions for me.

Astrozombie

Take the scenic route up to SF?? In a rented Mini Cooper convertible?? Sure!
But for that you would need money....and something to do and friends to do it with....

Yes I do hate being inside of a cage and i have the irrational fear of dying mangled in one of them....
And it's less dangerous with less of a chance of getting a ticket/jail

kjmillig

It's city driving that I hate the most. I lived in the Houston area most of my life before moving to Taiwan 4 1/2 years ago. Houston traffic is terrible, but at least I never had to use the freeways to get to work. Taiwan is extremely densely populated with an ever increasing number of cars on the road but no road expansion.
I also really dislike long distance car travel. I just want to be there and get it over with.
Even with the crowded Houston and Taiwan streets, when I'm on my bicycle I just ride along and don't worry about cars and scooters or other bicycle riders hurrying along to get there NOW. And I find myself getting to my destination only slightly slower than by motor vehicle and not stressed out by traffic.

dwinks

It's the same for most states.

Here's a real fun tidbit from your southerly neighbor state: A few years ago, the speed limit was raised by 5 MPH on the Ohio Turnpike (and I think a few other toll roads). After a few years of data came in, it was determined that AVERAGE speeds went down, crashes went up a bit and fatal crashes went up even more. Absolutely NOTHING of any benefit was gained by raising the limit. Then a few months ago, the dumbasses in office for the state decided it'd be a fantastic idea to do the same with all of the interstates (outside of metro areas)...

Yeah. Awesome. Sadly, most of the idiots behind the wheel agree with the idiots in office and applaud the 'faster' speeds (even though the average speed will likely go down thanks to induced traffic and extra collisions). But hey, everyone can go 'faster' now, so that's a plus!