Living Car Free - Yikes, Here I Go...

Oh, man. What am I getting myself into? After reading about it, thinking about it, and sort of doing it on a limited basis, I’m moving along with my plans to try being car free. I’ve certainly got the bicycles and just got a Burley cargo trailer as there are just some things that won’t fit into panniers, like a 20 pound bag of dog food.

Now I will admit that it’s going to be a bit easier for me than some others to do this as I’m retired and generally have no set schedule to worry about. I live in a small town, Beloit, in southern Wisconsin with a population of about 30,000. I have no car payment so what I’ll be saving is the cost of gas, oil changes, insurance, and registration. I’ve calculated that it amounts to $2,200.00 to $2,500.00 per year.

This idea has been in my mind for some time. I’ve read the books about being car free and frequented this forum. I’ve used my bicycles to go to the bank, the grocery store, the library, and other errands since spring of this year. The only times I’d really need a car are when I go to Madison for health care or to visit a friend, and that’s probably 10 to 12 times a year. I can rent a car for those times at about $40.00 for the day.

In addition, I’m just plain tired of being trapped in the car culture. I’m tired of it. I’m tired of the pandering that advertising does to get people into cars. I’m tired of hearing about peoples new cars. I’m tired of how much money we have to spend on the infrastructure for cars. I’m tired of what this city has done to push retail to the area near I90 and has made the area dangerous for pedestrians and bicyclists. Not only that, but it’s not even fun to drive in that area!

What I’ve discovered in using my bicycle for errands is that it’s a much more pleasant way to get around than driving. It’s more relaxing and enjoyable. I’m getting exercise at the same time I’m getting my grocery shopping done as well as other errands. I always try to take the long way to my destination to extend the pleasure of being on a bicycle. I’ll say “Hi” to at least a dozen people during my trip and usually stop to check on my parents or to visit a sister. (With a car, I’d never do it because I just want to get home and out of the car as quickly as possible.)

My concern is that I’ll wimp out at the first really cold day when I need to run an errand. I had planned on doing some riding last winter but when it got windy and cold, I stopped. I can work around snow by planning ahead. It’s the 10 degree days with a wind chill of minus zero that would make me think twice. But then I could always take the bus.

So here’s hoping I’m successful.

And so here’s a thank you to all of you on this forum for all your posts this past year that have encouraged me, helped form my opinions, and created in me the desire and will to follow your example.

Good luck. You seem very prepared; you'll do great.

-Jai

I think you'll do just fine. Cold weather is more a psychological issue than anything else. Most people get colder running across the parking lot in thin slacks and loafers than you will get riding 10 miles (or more) on your bike.

First, you'll be dressed appropriately for outdoor conditions, while most people are dressed appropriately or an overheated office and home. Second, you'll be acclimated to the colder temps but they are not. Third, you'll be generating good clean heat with your muscles.

My concern is that I’ll wimp out at the first really cold day when I need to run an errand. I had planned on doing some riding last winter but when it got windy and cold, I stopped. I can work around snow by planning ahead. It’s the 10 degree days with a wind chill of minus zero that would make me think twice. But then I could always take the bus.

So here’s hoping I’m successful.


Don't work around the snow, bike thru it, it's lots of fun.

Last winter, I def. rode less than I did during the fall and spring, but eventually ordering delivery pizza gets old and you have to suit up to get to the store.

Best of luck to you, the winter forum should be able to give you cold weather advice, and remeber, -10 with wind is still better on a bike than in a car.

That is, unless theres 60+ mph winds and a wild fire, then, from what I understood of the other thread, you'd have to have an SUV at least :)

You'll do fine.

Having been raised in the Sunbelt, I was apprehensive about my first encounter with snow on the streets. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that my bicycle was more stable and more streetable than a car in the snow, and if worst came to worst, I could pull over and walk. :)

I don't have much to say about cold weather and snow, but I've found retirement to be one of the best opportunities a person can have to live car free.

I've only been car free for five months but I LOVE IT. Its been the best 5 months of my life. I was car lite for years before and sometimes went a couple months without starting it up but being car free is even better.

PM me if you have any questions or tips.

P.S. You get to rent cars when you want to drive and drive a brand new car. I just rented a car for the weekend to go on a trip and it cost me $57.00 for two days.

I’ve certainly got the bicycles and just got a Burley cargo trailer as there are just some things that won’t fit into panniers, like a 20 pound bag of dog food.

Care to bet on that???

I normally carry it across the tops of my grocery panniers which are loaded with other groceries... tonight I stood it up in my grocery panniers.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c269/AzCowboy/Bike%20stuff/loadedbike.jpg


It’s the 10 degree days with a wind chill of minus zero that would make me think twice. But then I could always take the bus.

I tried to ride the bus when it was cold last year... -5 F the two times I was going to wimp out and take the bus. I say 'was going to' because I rode my bike down to the transfer center (It's about a half mile from my house) and went to lower the bike rack on the front of the bus. Both times the rack was frozen solid! :eek: :( :mad:

So I just rode the 12.5 miles to my work.

Good luck to you! Dealing with cold, wet weather isn't nearly as bad as it seems. If you dress appropriately and slow down a little, you can actually ride through more than most people can drive through, and it's kind of an adventure, just going to the store to buy groceries.

Thanks to all for your support and advice. It certainly helps to read and reread your comments when I start having second thoughts.

LET IT SNOW!!!:)

I used to live in Rochester about 20 years ago and remember the lake effect snow in the winter. Wasn't into cycling then although I did ride from RIT out to Mendon Ponds Park one fall day.

Thanks for the encouragement.



Don't work around the snow, bike thru it, it's lots of fun.

Last winter, I def. rode less than I did during the fall and spring, but eventually ordering delivery pizza gets old and you have to suit up to get to the store.

Best of luck to you, the winter forum should be able to give you cold weather advice, and remeber, -10 with wind is still better on a bike than in a car.

That is, unless theres 60+ mph winds and a wild fire, then, from what I understood of the other thread, you'd have to have an SUV at least :)

I've thought about doing it that way but decided on the trailer for some reason. Great idea!



Care to bet on that???

I normally carry it across the tops of my grocery panniers which are loaded with other groceries... tonight I stood it up in my grocery panniers.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c269/AzCowboy/Bike%20stuff/loadedbike.jpg

Awesome !

Congrats on the full conversion.

I suggest having the proper attire for the extra cold days, that will get you through it.

If you are sure that this is what you want, then nothing can stop you.

Guess I should point out that if riding doesn't seem to be an option, there is always walking!

Good luck with your venture, and keep us up to date :) .

East Hill

Good luck. I wish I could join you.

Put the $2000 annual savings, plus anything from the sale of your car, into special account.

Then remember, there always will be someone willing to sell you a car. You could go into a dealership any day, write a check from that account, and drive out a few hours later. So you can quit this craziness any time you want with about three hours notice.

With that "safety net," I predict that it will become personal challenge to see how long you can go without using it.

I used to live in Rochester about 20 years ago and remember the lake effect snow in the winter. Wasn't into cycling then although I did ride from RIT out to Mendon Ponds Park one fall day.

Thanks for the encouragement.

RIT to Mendon is a decent little ride, but two years ago if you had told me I was going to be a bike commuter, I'd have told you, you were crazy.

Then, last fall, when I was a bike commuter, if you had told me I'd be biking straight thru the winter, I'd have told you, you were crazy.

Now, I'm counting down the days till the first blizzard I get to bike thru.

It's easier to wimp out when the going gets tough if you have a car, but making your only option a bicycle is a great way to make sure you remain committed. As mentioned before, cold fear is half in your head; you just need to accept it psychologically, and dress appropriately :)

Remember the golden rule: There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.

It's easier to wimp out when the going gets tough if you have a car, but making your only option a bicycle is a great way to make sure you remain committed. As mentioned before, cold fear is half in your head; you just need to accept it psychologically, and dress appropriately :)

Remember the golden rule: There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.

I got mugged by some rain the other day. I'd call that bad weather.

Remember the golden rule: There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.

You've got it all wrong. The actual golden rule: There is no such thing as bad weather, only soft people.
:D

Ice is more of a danger than snow when it's cold. Don't brake then slide on an ice patch into an intersection on an otherwise dry morning day. (personal experience)

have fun.