View Poll Results: How long have you been car light or car free?
Car light less than 1 year
172
15.77%
Car free less than 1 year
99
9.07%
Car light less than 5 years
140
12.83%
Car free less than 5 years
124
11.37%
Car light more than 5 years
100
9.17%
Car free more than 5 years
236
21.63%
Contemplating a car light or car free change
193
17.69%
Not interested in becoming car light or car free
27
2.47%
Voters: 1091. You may not vote on this poll
Living Car Free/Car Lite Introductions
#76
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 107
Bikes: 2007 Bianchi 1885 Veloce, 2003 Specialized Rockhopper, 2006 Rocky Mountain Slayer 50, 2006 Electra Ratrod
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Currently I'm back to being car light.
It's sort of a contradiction, but I found I needed a car again for:
1. mountain biking as all the good freeride trails are 40 - 60 miles away
2. To get to the centuries that don't start near (<10miles) home.
3. To go hiking.
So as I result I use the car for commuting when the weather is bad and for recovery days especially before a big weekend ride.
Went car free for 2 years, from 2005-07 and grew up relying on my bike, feet, and public trans more than on a car.
I seem to average about 4500 miles/year biking although last year was a light year for riding as I had a major surgery that kept me off the bike and back in the car for a few months.
It's sort of a contradiction, but I found I needed a car again for:
1. mountain biking as all the good freeride trails are 40 - 60 miles away
2. To get to the centuries that don't start near (<10miles) home.
3. To go hiking.
So as I result I use the car for commuting when the weather is bad and for recovery days especially before a big weekend ride.
Went car free for 2 years, from 2005-07 and grew up relying on my bike, feet, and public trans more than on a car.
I seem to average about 4500 miles/year biking although last year was a light year for riding as I had a major surgery that kept me off the bike and back in the car for a few months.
#77
Metalhead
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Iowa City, IA
Posts: 110
Bikes: Surly Steamroller 2008, 70s fuji fixed conversion, 2007 Giant TCR, 2005 Gary Fisher Tassajara
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I've been car-free pretty much my whole life...I had a car recently that was given to me, went through all of the titled change and registration crap, but I never drove it...maybe once a week if that. So I don't really even count that because I certainly didn't rely on it and didn't like the burden. I just feel better biking to work, I only have a 4.5 mile commute.
#78
Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 44
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I live in the Upper Peninsula, and we get alot of snow. And I have 1 year old, so car free is impossible. I try to ride my bike as much as possible. Getting a trailer soon so I should be just about car free for the summer and fall.
#79
Sophomoric Member
welcome to the forum. It's great that we're getting some more Michiganders here lately. I live in Lansing but spend a lot of time in Traverse City, and get up to the UP once in a while. My mom's family is from Pickford. Where are you?
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"Think Outside the Cage"
#81
Senior Member
Well,,,,,,,I own a truck, My son has possession, my wife has to have a car, she thinks, unable to ride,,,,,,,and I drive a company vehicle, so when I am not at work or transporting my wife, or riding with Roger, I am car free.....
#82
that strange guy
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 108
Bikes: Surly Long Haul Trucker, Nishiki Century (frame only for now), Costco mountain bike
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I sold my car when I started school. (I was just waiting for an excuse/inspiration to ditch the Earth Destroying Money Vortex.) Once I realized I could deal with a ~30 mile commute after the big Denver blizzards a couple years ago without a car, it seems like a total waste to buy one again.
It felt like a huge step at first. Now I don't really know what I'd do with a car if I had one.
It felt like a huge step at first. Now I don't really know what I'd do with a car if I had one.
#83
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: In An 11th floor Apartment, unfortunately
Posts: 62
Bikes: None Yet! Soon To Purchase
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All my life. When I was in high school and my Mom said to me 'All right, time to teach you how to drive,' I said, 'No thanks, I would rather not be a gas guzler, I'll stick to my bike' and so I've never gotten a driver's liscence. I just don't need nor want it. If I need to go farther than I can bike, I take the bus, or a taxi. Its compromise comfort versus nescessity for the environment in my mind.
EDIT: I might add that this was when I was living at home. My previous bike was stolen and I've been using public transit since. Soon I'll have a new bike really soon!
EDIT: I might add that this was when I was living at home. My previous bike was stolen and I've been using public transit since. Soon I'll have a new bike really soon!
Last edited by strangeseraph; 04-18-08 at 07:29 AM.
#84
Senior Member
I've never driven a car in my life. Guess that makes me car-free for 30 years.
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1980 Sekine RM-40 | 1990 Miyata 1000LT | 1980 Raleigh Sprite Mixte | 1979 Raleigh Grand Prix
1980 Sekine RM-40 | 1990 Miyata 1000LT | 1980 Raleigh Sprite Mixte | 1979 Raleigh Grand Prix
#85
I step on puppies
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: San Francisco / Chicago
Posts: 587
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I'm dropping my car off at my parents for them to keep this weekend. Living in SF, I hardly ever use my car. The only times I do is for street cleaning.
So, from 17 to 26 I was car dependent. From now on, I don't see myself buying another car.
So, from 17 to 26 I was car dependent. From now on, I don't see myself buying another car.
#86
Can you donate today?
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Northeastern, Ohio
Posts: 79
Bikes: Not enough
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I have to say I'm really impressed or I admire those of you who have choosen this life style. It really gets one thinking that it's definitely possible to do. Just have to change some habits.
#87
nomadlostinplace
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Sunnyvale, California
Posts: 5
Bikes: Lemond Chambery and Merlin Extra-light, Cannondale tour 1, Mattel Big Wheel for long rides
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I became car free over 1 year ago when I retired and have never felt so liberated in my entire life. Every time I see the price of gas go up, which is every day now, I feel even better about my decision.
#88
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Spur TX
Posts: 1,991
Bikes: Schwinn folder; SixThreeZero EvryJourney
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Plus, there is nothing better than daily cycling or walking to maintain physical vitality as we get older.
#89
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 11
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I'm car free, and it has been about five years. Before that I had a car that quit, I couldn't fix it and I couldn't afford to have it fixed or get a new one.
I don't have that problem with bikes, although it can be a challenge to get to concerts in other cities or to tour with performing groups...
I don't have that problem with bikes, although it can be a challenge to get to concerts in other cities or to tour with performing groups...
#90
Freddie fenders are cool
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 46
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Took the plunge! Car light with two cars for a year or so. I've been bike commuting for about two years but exclusively for a year. My wife and I finally decided, "This is stupid." So, we took both vehicles (car & a pickup truck) to the local Honda dealership and traded them in for a Honda Element. It is liberating!
#91
Addict
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Texas
Posts: 14
Bikes: Trek 4500 (w/upgrade-itus) building a surly karate monkey
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I sold my truck (chevy 454 ouch... for trailers) went back to school and commute by bike and mtb when I can. That was 2 years ago. I recently bought a little 4 cyl car so I could get to an internship, but I hated owning it. So after about a month I turned around and sold it and made do with the bike. That was 2 months ago and I am relieved. I liked my biking lifestyle better. It sorta forces you to live locally and get out around other people (as opposed to the cage). I don't hate cars when they are used responsibly, but I would rather not own one and I feel good about not needing gas. Cheaper too. I plan on trying to find work in an area where I can continue to live car free when I graduate. Funny, I first switched to biking out of necessity (had to pay tuition) and when I tried living with a car again I wouldn't even look at it. It just sat in the parking lot.
Anyway, new to the forum, thought I'd put it my 2 cents (sorry I got a little long winded).
Anyway, new to the forum, thought I'd put it my 2 cents (sorry I got a little long winded).
#93
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: clipped in
Posts: 447
Bikes: Pacific hardtail (frame only right now); Weyless SP (frame/fork right now); Jamis Dakar XLT 1.0 custom build-up (fully functional)
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I've never owned a car and neither has my husband. When we were home from college we both had use of a family car. Once we were on our own at 20 and 22, we decided not to buy a car. Once not owning a car became our pattern, car free became easier than going out and buying one. Depending on when you start counting us as car free, it's been at least a decade.
Of course, you can always claim "all our lives!"
Either way, you are a role model for the rest of us.
#94
Can you donate today?
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Northeastern, Ohio
Posts: 79
Bikes: Not enough
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Well I sold my van last wednesday and my family is down to one car, forcing me to commute back and forth to work. Surprisingly, my wife has been very supportive. She must want me to slim down or something. It has rained everyday but one since I started this adventure. I want to thank everyone of you here for the encouragement through your posts and I look forward to living this way for a long time.
#95
car-light
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Sweden
Posts: 2
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I don't know if there is a formal definition for 'car light', but I suppose 4000 km per year would qualify, which is where my wife and I are at in recent years. Even ten years ago it was 8-10,000 km/yr - the difference being one road trip each year back then. Everyone in the family commutes to school or work by bike or foot, and the cumulative distance by all would exceed the driving distance (which I already do by myself).
#99
Bike ≠ Car ≠ Ped.
#100
Senior Member
First thing I hear when the truck is in the driveway,,,,,"Can you haul........."
For now I'm pretending its broken.