Originally Posted by oilfreeandhappy
I emphasize the word "Good" here. We have a bus system in my town,
but in this small town, I have no problem riding the bicycle to all
the destinations of the bus.
But if I have to get to one of the neighboring towns, 20-30 miles
away, I have to carpool. There just isn't enough time to arrive at
some of the events after work by bicycle, and there is NO transit.
I was hoping to get rid of my wife's car, but my father-in-law is
moving in with us. He's in his upper 70s, and will probably need to
be shuffled around some. We'll see.
My place of employment is 8 miles through some rural roads, where
there is no bus service. I bicycle it year-round, but if the roads
are real treacherous due to snow and ice, I have no choice but to
have my wife drop me off.
A totally car-free family continues to elude me. Unless the Transit
improves in the area, I think that one stinkin' car will continue to
be in our garage.
At present, cars and fuel are cheap and roads are in good condition. So owning a car is your obvious solution.
Your handle, oilfreeandhappy, suggests that you may be concerned about the long term sustainability of mobility by private motor vehicle. If private cars are really not sustainable, the long term outlook for exurban and rural living is bleak.