Living Car Free - Car-Free article in San Francisco Newspaper

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2006/09/05/financial/f100930D56.DTL

Aha! Thank you Cranky! Several of us here were interviewed for the piece. See http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=3010525#post3010525

I thought that was a good article. I think I'm seeing a change in the way carfree living is reported in the media. Last year my impression of the mainstream attitude was "can't be done by any normal person". Now I think it is more along the lines of "some people in the right circumstances can make it work."

The article makes a very good point about just reducing car usage.

"However, making shorter trips or letting the car stand in the driveway isn't a very good way of saving money. The real savings come when you get rid of the car altogether."

From the article:
>>In 2004, U.S. households spent an average of $650 a month on transportation, of which only a fifth was gasoline and motor oil, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The rest was mainly the cost of the car, insurance and repairs. Only $37 was spent on public transportation, which includes air travel.<<

Holy Cow....... Spending $650.00 a month on transportation is an incredible amount of money. I hope this is the sum total of what a whole family spends in a month meaning, mother, father and 2.5 kids! That's real high for transportation but it goes to show you just how much Americans spend to go from point a to b. My public transportion costs is $93.00 dollars per month and I thought that was expensive.

Today is my second day car lite, it makes things different. I'm a student and have a long break between classes today I wanted to go to Starbucks, but the only practical way to get there is drive. (No bike yet.) Last night, same thing, wanted to go out - called my wife and told her where to meet me when she got off work, and she said, "how do you expect to get there?"
But, by not having a car, between insurance, gas, maintenance, and car payments I'm going to save $500 every month!
So worth it!

Good article, first time I've seen anything outside this forum about being car-free

:beer: Nice very nice.:)

The same article appeared in the Rockford, Illinois, paper this morning. Good to see it getting around.

That article is long overdue. I've seen/read all kinds of TV/newspaper articles about how to save money on auto costs, but this is one of only a handful of articles discussing the idea of being carfree.

Kudos, to Peter Svennson; we need more articles like this:)

Same article appeared in the Santa Barbara News-Press today, too. Very nice! Lucky to have had it printed, too, since one of mighty ones at that bird-cage liner doesn't like alternative transportation.

From the article:
>>In 2004, U.S. households spent an average of $650 a month on transportation, of which only a fifth was gasoline and motor oil, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The rest was mainly the cost of the car, insurance and repairs. Only $37 was spent on public transportation, which includes air travel.<<

Holy Cow....... Spending $650.00 a month on transportation is an incredible amount of money. I hope this is the sum total of what a whole family spends in a month meaning, mother, father and 2.5 kids! That's real high for transportation but it goes to show you just how much Americans spend to go from point a to b. My public transportion costs is $93.00 dollars per month and I thought that was expensive.

The figures are right (and amazing.) They fit well with the BLS Consumer Expenditure Surveys. Here's the latest survey: http://www.bls.gov/cex/csxann04.pdf Check out page three.

Today is my second day car lite, it makes things different. I'm a student and have a long break between classes today I wanted to go to Starbucks, but the only practical way to get there is drive. (No bike yet.) Last night, same thing, wanted to go out - called my wife and told her where to meet me when she got off work, and she said, "how do you expect to get there?"
But, by not having a car, between insurance, gas, maintenance, and car payments I'm going to save $500 every month!
So worth it!

Get a bike. I insist. Your life will be easier, more fun, and you'll improve your health. Your wife will be less sceptical about your ability to arrive at places. And getting to Starbucks will be a non-issue. Getting a bike is better than getting religion, and way less expensive.

That article is long overdue. I've seen/read all kinds of TV/newspaper articles about how to save money on auto costs, but this is one of only a handful of articles discussing the idea of being carfree.

Kudos, to Peter Svennson; we need more articles like this:)

Agreed.

Articles about saving on auto costs discuss how you can lower your insurance preimum by shopping around, buying a less expensive car or just driving 10 miles further to get cheap gas. You never read articles like this but I'm glad this forum is finally getting the attention it deserves. We are making noise and you're seeing new blood on this forum all the time so people are getting sick and tired of their costly vehicles.

...costly vehicles.
Not to mention that when the circumstances are right, carfree living can be less stressful. There are mental and physical benefits from the greater opportunity to get more exercise. You often have chances to meet more of your neighbors.

You often have chances to meet more of your neighbors.

An excellent point. I ride a regular route to and from work, and I have noticed quite a few people smile/wave/greet as I go by, which would never happen if I sped by in a car. And, if they are young and female, that's an added bonus.

The suggestion to "try it for a week" has got me thinking.