Living Car Free - Where is everybody?

I've noticed lately that there are usually about 3 people posting in this forum.

For a while we had a lot of discussion about the price of gas and peak oil (why? not sure... I thought the price of gas would least impact folks here...)

The price of gas went down and now it seems like climate change, urban renewal, green living, bikes in Holland...etc. is also gone.

What's up?

Maybe not much to say? I do my part with making threads, but usually hang out in commuting, since there's much less discussion here...

I'm still pissed off about high gas prices. I haven't grown accustomed to them. I'm still doing my part to reduce my carbon footprint and my gasoline bill. It's really unlikely that I could go carfree, but I've been doing my best to be car light.

I noticed two disturbing things very recently. First, I got completely passed by some young college girl on Michigan Avenue going to Emil's the other night. When she curb-hopped and got on the big sidewalk by Sparrow hospital I passed her back. Not a word. Just a smug look. You know, I'd been riding a lot that day and I was plain tired. Second, the roundabout at the corner of Washington and Michigan really is a dangerous place. I remember when it first was put in making some positive comment about it. Roody had the right idea about it. I regret, now, that I said anything positive about the roundabout. It's stupid. Maybe it would be better if people yielded, but there's a stop sign on all four sides, too. So, really, it's kind of a four-way stop -- except that you've got to yield to the left. Miserable. Not just for people on bikes, but for peds, too.

So, anyway, that's what I've got to say about that.

i've been meaning to visit more often..

but i wouldn't be surprised if people came here more as the price of gas goes up. at $10/gal, this could be the new Road Forum!

Probably out biking. :)

I tend to agree with Uke. There are a lot of carfree people still on BF, they're just in the touring, commuting, utility, bike mechanics, mountain biking, A&S, and even road sections. I still check in here pretty regularly, but then see that's there's not much new going on, so then I wander over to touring and commuting.

And then there are always the demands of real life and the greater pleasure of, you know, actually riding a bike, rather than just talking about it. (My new LHT rocks. I shop at grocery stores five miles out of my way just because I can. :) )

Car free living isn't as edgy as it was a few years ago. It's still not too common, but the basic ideas are out there.

I've noticed lately that there are usually about 3 people posting in this forum.

For a while we had a lot of discussion about the price of gas and peak oil (why? not sure... I thought the price of gas would least impact folks here...)

The price of gas went down and now it seems like climate change, urban renewal, green living, bikes in Holland...etc. is also gone.

What's up?

Maybe people are just sick of reading the same back and forth arguments on the aforementioned subjects.

Or maybe since school is starting - people are all busy with activities and don't have enough time any more?

I've been on kind of a touring kick lately, so I've been reading more there than usual.

Maybe they're out riding go-karts or something.

I've noticed lately that there are usually about 3 people posting in this forum.

For a while we had a lot of discussion about the price of gas and peak oil (why? not sure... I thought the price of gas would least impact folks here...)

The price of gas went down and now it seems like climate change, urban renewal, green living, bikes in Holland...etc. is also gone.

What's up?

Media & information overload has the consumers burnt out!!!:twitchy:

You have to have a subject people are passionate about. You can only rehash spoke tightening and BB noises so many times. I'll start a thread here in nice slow "living car free" that has a constitutional "right" in it, and we'll see how many socialists it draws out of the woodwork. :)

Car free living isn't as edgy as it was a few years ago. It's still not too common, but the basic ideas are out there.

It's getting more positive coverage and general acceptance than in the past. There was a blurb on NPR this morning about a real estate agent who started doing bicycle-friendly home sales; taking people on cycling tours of neighbourhoods, showing houses by riding to them rather than driving... and that his/her sales have increased significantly since starting that.

I have been working (too much) and trying to stay on top of a bunch of new found cycling blogs. Working on my bikes and Airstreams.

Aaron:)

We're all out riding. :)

Maybe everyone rode their bikes a lot more when gas was high, which made them lose weight, which made them more attractive, which made them get laid a lot more, which means they have less time to chat online. Less discussion here means more sex? I say its a good thing!

Maybe everyone rode their bikes a lot more when gas was high, which made them lose weight, which made them more attractive, which made them get laid a lot more, which means they have less time to chat online. Less discussion here means more sex? I say its a good thing!

[quickly checking mirror....] afraid not, zeppinger... at least not in this case...

A good side-effect of what I notice above is that there seem to be fewer trolls hanging about. Perhaps they don't smell any carrion here these days :)

I've been holidaying in North America, doing a lot of driving in the Rockies and BC, and using up huge energy resources flying to and from across the Pacific Ocean. All because I can. I saved up for it by not owning a motor vehicle, and paid for it ,and can do whatever I like -- a point missed by many in discussions on here.

Oh, and I got married to Machka along the way.

+1

Yep, some of us have been off getting married.

I've been holidaying in North America, doing a lot of driving in the Rockies and BC, and using up huge energy resources flying to and from across the Pacific Ocean. All because I can. I saved up for it by not owning a motor vehicle, and paid for it ,and can do whatever I like -- a point missed by many in discussions on here.

Oh, and I got married to Machka along the way.

Congradulations. I think this is a first time forum members meet and were married!

Congradulations. I think this is a first time forum members meet and were married!

Others have met and dated ... not sure about the marrying part.



If anyone is interested, here are our photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14302884@N04/sets/72157607097344648/

Others have met and dated ... not sure about the marrying part.



If anyone is interested, here are our photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14302884@N04/sets/72157607097344648/

WOW!! That's so fantastic! I'm really happy for the two of you, and a BF wedding is exciting. I copied this quote from the flickr site:


August 24, 2008
First a century (100 miles) in the mountains, then the wedding at Lake Annette near Jasper

You guys have the right priorities--first the ride, then the wedding. :D

That was a beautiful location for a beautiful occasion. I wish you both much luck and happiness!

:love: :beer:

I've been holidaying in North America, doing a lot of driving in the Rockies and BC, and using up huge energy resources flying to and from across the Pacific Ocean. All because I can. I saved up for it by not owning a motor vehicle, and paid for it ,and can do whatever I like -- a point missed by many in discussions on here.

Oh, and I got married to Machka along the way.

congrats on your marriage... :)

If anyone is interested, here are our photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14302884@N04/sets/72157607097344648/

Congratulations... what a marvelous location for a wedding!

Congratulations... what a marvelous location for a wedding!

Yeah. I haven't been to that particular lake, but I've been in the area. Truly one of the most beautiful regions on the planet.

I'm still feeling tingly from finding out that Rowan and Machka really got married!

Hehehehe. Thanks Roody. Much appreciated. Thanks for the congrats from others, too. It was a very special event in my life and while we are again on different continents until Machka finishes her studies, we are busy planning our options which naturally, include a fair bit of cycle touring in various parts of the world.

I must be dense:o I finally realized the connection between Rowan and Machka...

Congratulations!:thumb: We are wishing you a lifetime of happiness.

Aaron and Rhonda! (Airangel60)