Living Car Free - Cycling saved a need to drive 60 miles last week.

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cyclezealot
07-09-07, 02:18 AM
That is pretty typical in this family. At least four times a week, I do errands by bike instead of car. That was 60 miles last week and a little over two gallons of gas not used. If I keep that up it saves the need to drive a car over 3000 miles a year.
That saves about 175 gallons of gas a year and about 600 dollars. Makes me proud. Can most of us here at living car free make a similiar claim. THose car free can do much better. I would not mind being car free, but it is sort of difficult to go to movies with friends on a Saturday night without a car. Guess, that would be one aspect of not having a car , I'd miss. Not if you unfortunately live out in the exurbs.

vulpes
07-09-07, 06:18 AM
Between commuting 16 miles r/t 5 days a week and store runs, errands, and pleasure cruises on my days off, I'm riding about 100 miles a week. The only time I have driven a car in the last few months was an out of state trip over Memorial day weekend. That was in my wife's car. I'm not officially car free yet because our second car is still titled in both our names. I haven't driven it since about March. I am going to sign the title over to the wife soon. Then it will be official.
cyclezealot
07-09-07, 07:50 AM
Out of town trips, one could rent a car. But for weekend entertainment trips, can't see a way around a car, unless one lives in the city. If not for that concern, being car free in ways seems liberating. If everyone could save just two gallons per week; the middle east potentates would not have us over a barrel. As for US life; living in the far out exurbs. Car free is impossible. Americans have certainly made their lives complicated with their housing patterns and car addiction.

Roody
07-09-07, 02:42 PM
If you're going to the movies with friends, why not ride in their car with them? Then buy their popcorn or something to show your appreciation. Even if you keep the car, I hope you carpool to the movies whenever possible.

BTW, riding 60 miles burns about 2400 calories. You can afford to eat lots of popcorn! :)