Living Car Free - changing perspectives on distance & time

I've been car-free for a few years now, and, for most of that time, I've used the bike to go pretty much everywhere, from 10-block beer runs to 200-300 mile mini-tours. I've even ridden my bike to the airport. Lately, though, I've noticed that, if the trip is less than 3 miles, I'd rather just walk. I still consider bicycling way less of a bother than driving, but, especially in heavy traffic, bicycling and driving are not that different: you still have to be careful not to hurt yourself or others, and, at any given time, half of all other road users are talking on their mobile phones and not paying attention, which can get stressful. It's just more relaxing to simply get on the sidewalk and lose yourself in your thoughts on your way to work. Walking two miles only takes 35 minutes or so, it's decent exercise, and when you get to your destination, you're not sweaty or carrying panniers and a helmet. (I don't know why, but I'm not capable of riding anywhere unless I crank as fast and furiously as I possibly can.)

I view this switch to more walking as part of my development as a car-free person. I'm still an adult with a challenging job and real responsibilities, but I've come to realize that mobility is more a matter of mind than of machinery. Only a few years ago, going 10 miles in 30 minutes would have seriously pissed me off. If I go 10 miles in 30 minutes now, I'm pretty impressed with myself; if I go 2 miles in 30 minutes, I've had a nice walk, and the opportunity to think for a while without serious interruption. I don't do the mileage I once did, but I actually get more done, and my state of mind is much, much less scattered.

Has any of this happened to anyone else?

I've always been in favor of walking for shorter distances. Way back when I was in high school, my school was about 1 km away, and I walked there in the morning, home for lunch, back to school, and home at the end of the day, for a total of about 4 kms a day.

When I moved to Winnipeg, my ex-husband used the car so I walked to work. One place I worked for years was exactly 1.6 kms (1 mile) away ... so 3.2 kms a day, 5 days a week. Another place I worked was 6.7 kms (about 4 miles) each way. I usually rode my bicycle, but on snowy days, I'd take the bus to work, or partway to work and walk the rest of the way, and then I'd walk all the way home.

Now I'm going to University. The parking fees in the University parking lots are incredible!! And for 2 kms around the University there is restricted parking, no more than 30 minutes, so that's out. So I park 2 kms away and walk ... 4 kms a day, 3 days a week. And then I walk 2 kms a day at lunch on the other 2 week days for a total of about 16 kms (10 miles) a week.

Walking is good ... it's great for the bones and is often less stressful.

This happened to me years ago. Although I find myself riding on sidewalks at slightly above walking speed because it's just plain relaxing. In fact, the roads can at times be an exercise in frustation. There are alot of people that ride their bikes on the sidewalk at walking speed so I'm not alone.

No way. I walked everywhere for four years as an undergrad, including ~20 min to class each morning. Much, much, MUCH prefer using the bike to get around. If not for the potential to look silly, I'd ride my bike to the laundry building (1 min away on foot). For me, walking alone is a waste of time for any distance more than a minute or two away.

when I lived on the East Coast walking was easier than biking.

Now I live on the West Coast biking is more efficient than walking.

For me, walking alone is a waste of time for any distance more than a minute or two away.

Don't get involved in long distance cycling then.

If it's more than 200 metres away, I bike. I absolutely detest transit,having to walk more than 500 metres is bearable, but I'd rather bike.

Don't get involved in long distance cycling then.

Riding a bike for long amounts of time is nothing like walking for long amounts of time. I'd much rather ride for X hours than walk for X hours.

Has any of this happened to anyone else?


Yeah, but I thought I was just getting old. :lol:

I used to walk everywhere--sometimes 10 or even 15 miles a day. One day a heavenly light shined down and a baritone voice told me to get a bicycle. Now 10 or 15 miles doesn't take me all day.

I still walk quite a bit. It's fun and, like Machka said, good for the bones. Sometimes I even park my bike and take a walk. I'll be walking a lot in the next few weeks as my hand continues to heal.

Riding a bike for long amounts of time is nothing like walking for long amounts of time. I'd much rather ride for X hours than walk for X hours.

You're missing my point entirely.

You see ... long distance cyclists, who only cycle, have the bones of 90 year olds. They are very prone to osteoporosis.

The way to prevent osteoporosis is to do things like ... walking! Weightbearing exercise. Therefore walking is anything but a waste of time.

I'm a long distance cyclist ... therefore I walk and weightlift. It helps that I also enjoy walking and weightlifting.

You're missing my point entirely.

You see ... long distance cyclists, who only cycle, have the bones of 90 year olds. They are very prone to osteoporosis.

The way to prevent osteoporosis is to do things like ... walking! Weightbearing exercise. Therefore walking is anything but a waste of time.

I'm a long distance cyclist ... therefore I walk and weightlift. It helps that I also enjoy walking and weightlifting.

I'm with you on this one. I don't think doing any activity exclusively is good for the body or the mind. Other physical activities I enjoy are swimming, rowing and canoeing--all good for upper body fitness.

I've noticed that the physical activities I like best all involve transportation. I guess I enjoy the feeling and freedom of movement, whether fast or slow. I also love being outdoors. I don't enoy weightlifting, but I do it to develop better strength for the outdoor activities that I do enjoy.

I'm on my feet all day at work. Does that count? How about if I call it cross-training with a paycheck? ;)

Anything shorter than a quarter to a half mile is too much of a nuisance to ride, what with carrying the bike downstairs and locking up at the destination. I'll walk for that.

You're missing my point entirely.


I see what you mean. In that case, I'll be fine, because I've got very little interest in long-distance cycling. :D

I've gone the opposite way of the OP. When i was younger I loved to walk, I would often walk home from school instead of taking the bus. I'd walk to work which was 4 miles, or sometimes walk home from a girlfriends house which was 6 miles. Now I'd rather ride my bike the 300 yards to the library.

Walking is pleasant when the arthritis allows it. Most of the time for me the equation is about which is more fun. On a bad pain day, I'll bike even for things that most people would walk for. On a good day, I'll walk.

Best of all, I am walking today! It's not a normal stride, but my banged up knee will take my weight without crutches.

You see ... long distance cyclists, who only cycle, have the bones of 90 year olds. They are very prone to osteoporosis.

The way to prevent osteoporosis is to do things like ... walking! Weightbearing exercise. Therefore walking is anything but a waste of time.

I'm a long distance cyclist ... therefore I walk and weightlift. It helps that I also enjoy walking and weightlifting.

I like walking. I think we were born to walk. But I don't understand why cycling isn't a weight bearing exercise. Well, on an upright not a recumbent bike. You lean on your hands and push on the pedals. And stand up. It feels like weight to me.

When I was hiking last month I found a cheap pedometer on the trail- this thing that counts steps. Someone told me that people are supposed to do 10000 steps per day so I experimented with various walks in the neighborhood. I easily get my 10000 steps in by walking to work. But surprisingly the thing counted way over 10000 steps by going out dancing. Maybe dancing steps are less weight bearing than walking steps- like bike riding?

Walking is pleasant when the arthritis allows it. Most of the time for me the equation is about which is more fun. On a bad pain day, I'll bike even for things that most people would walk for. On a good day, I'll walk.

Best of all, I am walking today! It's not a normal stride, but my banged up knee will take my weight without crutches.

I'm glad you're mending.

It's funny, but when my knee flares up, I can walk better than I can ride. I think it's because the knee bends less when walking.

I only enjoy walking when I'm with someone else and our talking distracts me. When I'm walking alone, it doesn't take long for my calves to tighten up severely, making it very painful to continue. For some reason I don't notice that when I'm walking with others. Also, when I'm walking alone just looking straight ahead, the landscape starts to become very bumpy and shaky from all the jarring of my footsteps. I don't really know how to describe it, but I think it's because I'm so used to the smoothness of cycling. Another point, where I live is barely even bikeable let alone walkable. I'd have to get up at 4am to walk to work. I'm hoping to move soon, and the new location should be much more walkable.

I love walking and there are plenty of places in my neighbourhood I walk to rather than bike since they are so close. My husband doesn't have a bike (yet) and that means our "dates with your family" are done on foot. Lots of walking everyday.

One thing I have noticed is going from driving to cycling I was able to notice and appreciate more about the world around me (sights, sounds, smells, people, dogs, wildlife, cracks in the road, etc.). Going from cycling to walking takes that to another level. I suppose how fast your moving, and how task loaded you are, has a lot to do with what you notice in the world around you. I've learned to take unique enjoyment from all forms of transportation.

I turn to walking more in the winter [although this year I have studded tires... so that might change.] I like recreational walking, but I dislike carrying groceries or other weight for more than a few blocks.

As to the threshold, I think 2km is about as much I am willing to walk. If the trip is two miles, I'll be looking for wheels.

I turn to walking more in the winter [although this year I have studded tires... so that might change.] I like recreational walking, but I dislike carrying groceries or other weight for more than a few blocks.

As to the threshold, I think 2km is about as much I am willing to walk. If the trip is two miles, I'll be looking for wheels.
Around here the stores sell two wheel folding carts for walkers. You fill them up at the store and wheel the loot home. I only use one for something like a thanksgiving shopping. Mine holds a frozen turkey and all the stuff for 8 people. I forgot if everything fit or if I used a small backpack too, but it was one trip. I guess this is walking AND using wheels.

I like walking. I think we were born to walk. But I don't understand why cycling isn't a weight bearing exercise. Well, on an upright not a recumbent bike. You lean on your hands and push on the pedals. And stand up. It feels like weight to me.

There's a certain amount of force involved in weight bearing exercise. The soreness you get after moving heavy objects, walking a long way or running is from microscopic tears in your muscles and microscopic fractures in your bones. The tears give your body a signal to rebuild the muscle for more power, and the fractures make your body rebuild the bones faster and with more calcium.

When we bike or swim, our bones are supported the whole time. They don't take much force compared to other activities, and they don't get the microfractures as a result. This is great for a desperately out of shape person or one who is severely overweight... but for us skinnier types, it is bad. Our bones deteriorate from not being used, rather like muscles. It's slower, and it's not *usually* going to cause a problem, but it's better not to let it happen.

(I have to be careful because I'm on a medication that can cause my bones to lose calcium faster than they ought... so it's good I like to walk. If it is more than 7 miles or so tho, odds are my joints aren't up to it. Walking won't do a think for my arm bones tho, so I need to do weight work too.)


I'm glad you're mending.

Me too! And I hope you're doing better... a week of being stuck on a couch has been making me nutty. Ok, nuttier than usual.

Around here the stores sell two wheel folding carts for walkers.

I've seen old people with these for years and years, I always think of them as old people's shopping carts. I've never seen them on sale though. Maybe they're only sold in special old people's shops? Marks and Spencer, perhaps?

Anyway, back on topic, I always walk in my small town, it's about 300m from my house to the shop, and there isn't much else there. In the city, which is 25 miles of busy 60mph road away, I generally go on the bus, and then walk around when I'm there - sometimes up to 5 miles. I'm so used to doing that that when I do take my bike I'm amazed at how quickly I get places.

I like walking. I think we were born to walk. But I don't understand why cycling isn't a weight bearing exercise. Well, on an upright not a recumbent bike. You lean on your hands and push on the pedals. And stand up. It feels like weight to me.



Most people sit when they ride their bicycles, or at least sit for most of the ride. In fact, I'm getting the impression from a conversation in General Cycling that most people put most of their weight on their butts, rather than their feet, when they ride, and sitting does nothing for the bones.

They do say though that mtn biking is borderline "weightbearing" because mtn bikers tend to ride with their weight on their feet.

Walking is pleasant when the arthritis allows it.


And this is one of the reasons why I walk as much as I do now ... while I still can. I'm going to be visiting a Dr about my arthritis tomorrow, but I'm not holding my breath that he'll be able to do anything.

I'm all for walkability. There isn't a day that goes buy where I don't wish I had become aware of energy , resource depletion, etc. before I had chosen to live in my current house, though I could have done worse. At least my city is actually quite serious about installing sidewalks. Too bad the zoning and the exclusive use of one-story-only buildings sucks. I've walked short distances around some areas here, and what becomes truly shocking - even much more than while cycling - is just how ridiculously fractured our infrastructure is. At least with cycling, one can generally use the same roads as cars. Here, there often aren't even accomodations for walking between stores that are next-door to each other! It's completely perposterous.

I wouldn't terribly mind doing a multi-modal commute and walking for the last leg, a little less than two miles, and I have done it once. More than that is admittedly too time-consuming. Such is the reality of suburbia today. The bicycle IMO remains king for traversing mid-range.

Though we have a truck and I've considered using a bike, I do almost exclusively walk around my building at work, which is a little more than a half-mile long. As others have said, variety is good.

I wouldn't terribly mind doing a multi-modal commute and walking for the last leg, a little less than two miles, and I have done it once. More than that is admittedly too time-consuming. Such is the reality of suburbia today. The bicycle IMO remains king for traversing mid-range.



When I lived in Winnipeg, I lived 6.7 kms from where I worked. Unfortunately the way the bus system was set up, I had to take 3 busses, which would add up to about 40 minutes of travel. Therefore, of course, I used my bicycle as much as possible because I could cycle the distance in 20 minutes ... 18, if I could hit most of the lights just right.

However, in the winter when cycling was a slog, I'd often take the first two busses, and then walk from there ... and I could cover the distance walking in the same time it took the bus to cover it because the bus was a feeder and meandered everywhere, while I walked in a straight line. :D


But the thing is ... I want to be out there exercising at least a couple hours a day, and more if I can. Sometimes I can do it with cycling (especially on weekends), but other days I supplement with walking.

what becomes truly shocking - even much more than while cycling - is just how ridiculously fractured our infrastructure is. At least with cycling, one can generally use the same roads as cars. Here, there often aren't even accomodations for walking between stores that are next-door to each other! It's completely perposterous.


I noticed your location in northwest Indiana. Are you getting lake effect snows from those north winds on Lake Michigan tonight? We are, here in Traverse City.

The reason I ask is that everything bad about walking in the city will get 100 times worse when the snow falls. Businesses pay thousands of dollars to clear the snow off their 10 acre parking lots--then save a few pennies by piling all that snow on the sidewalk. The street plows pile so much snow at the bus stops that passengers have to step DOWN to get on the bus. You practically need a rope and pitons to walk from the bank to the coffee shop next door.

I'm telling you, you're a lot better off using a bike than trying to walk anywhere in the wintertime.

The reason I ask is that everything bad about walking in the city will get 100 times worse when the snow falls. Businesses pay thousands of dollars to clear the snow off their 10 acre parking lots--then save a few pennies by piling all that snow on the sidewalk. The street plows pile so much snow at the bus stops that passengers have to step DOWN to get on the bus. You practically need a rope and pitons to walk from the bank to the coffee shop next door.

I'm telling you, you're a lot better off using a bike than trying to walk anywhere in the wintertime.

But that's when walking gets FUN!! :D Plus you really develop good calf muscles in particular.

I was working for Canada Post in Winnipeg in these photos.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2368/1522021976_f58c8decd1.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2253/1521157963_6a9e4d6881.jpg?v=0

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14302884@N04/1522021976/in/set-72157602332361641/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14302884@N04/1521157963/in/set-72157602332361641/

You're missing my point entirely.

You see ... long distance cyclists, who only cycle, have the bones of 90 year olds. They are very prone to osteoporosis...



Is that true doctor? You have anything to support that? That long distance cyclists have the bones of 90 year olds I mean, not that weghtlifting helps bone health.

Or was that just you making up crap?

I noticed your location in northwest Indiana. Are you getting lake effect snows from those north winds on Lake Michigan tonight? We are, here in Traverse City.

The reason I ask is that everything bad about walking in the city will get 100 times worse when the snow falls. Businesses pay thousands of dollars to clear the snow off their 10 acre parking lots--then save a few pennies by piling all that snow on the sidewalk. The street plows pile so much snow at the bus stops that passengers have to step DOWN to get on the bus. You practically need a rope and pitons to walk from the bank to the coffee shop next door.

I'm telling you, you're a lot better off using a bike than trying to walk anywhere in the wintertime.

We did have some snow a little while ago, and it was strange snow that looked more like pellets one would spread on a driveway to melt ice than snow I've usually seen. It was very hard. I can't remember seeing snow like it before. Maybe it was actually hail or frozen rain, though I'm no expert.

EVERYONE, absolutely everyone gets arthritis. Sooner or later. Everyone over 50 will have some form of it, at one level of severity or another.

its part of getting old.

Is that true doctor? You have anything to support that? That long distance cyclists have the bones of 90 year olds I mean, not that weghtlifting helps bone health.

Or was that just you making up crap?

Google cycling and osteoporosis. Google cycling and bone density. Look it up yourself. No, I'm not making up that cyclists have weak bones ... it's common knowledge among long distance cyclists, and it comes up in our Training and Nutrition forum here several times a year.

Here, let me help you by providing you one of many links to the information:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071016135440.htm

EVERYONE, absolutely everyone gets arthritis. Sooner or later. Everyone over 50 will have some form of it, at one level of severity or another.

its part of getting old.

How old are you? You think 50 is old, so I figure you're pretty young. I think it's funny that you make a smart aleck comment about cycling and osteoporosis, then out of the blue you announce that everyone over 50 is arthritic.

:D

I've gone the opposite way of the OP. When i was younger I loved to walk, I would often walk home from school instead of taking the bus. I'd walk to work which was 4 miles, or sometimes walk home from a girlfriends house which was 6 miles. Now I'd rather ride my bike the 300 yards to the library.

I view biking the 300 yards as a time saver.. If necessary, I see no inconvenience wearing my helmet out and about. Nothing to be embarrassed about... If not, I'll run a cable thru my helmet and lock it to my bike... Quite the opposite. Distance only encourages me to go farther. It looks better on my bike log...

EVERYONE, absolutely everyone gets arthritis. Sooner or later. Everyone over 50 will have some form of it, at one level of severity or another.

its part of getting old.

Do you have anything to back this up? It seems a ridiculously extreme claim to me. Personally, I know no one over 50, including my 92 year old grandmother, who is at all arthritic.

At present, my work commute is 16 km round-trip. While I'm at work, I can walk anywhere between 15-25 km, depending on how busy it is.

So when it comes time for errands, it's almost always on the bike. Unless of course if it's a beautiful sunny day. Then I put on the sunglasses and the Birks and go for a walk. The only confusing thing is that I consistently look to the upper left to see what's coming behind me.:)

I happen to be rather fortunate, I live in Key West, Florida. Everything is close so there really is no reason NOT to ride a bike everywhere. I like to alternate between riding and walking for my exercise. I usually walk 1-2 hours a day and ride 15-50 miles a day. I do most all of my shopping and errands by bike as well. The car is up for sale and I don't think I'll be missing it all that much. I put on less than 20 miles a month presently. I can rent a car if I ever need to get off the "rock."
It really surprises me how many people actually drive here, I mean we live on a small island fer cryin out loud! And on top of that we pay FAR more for gas than just about anywhere else in the country!

I happen to be rather fortunate, I live in Key West, Florida.
Is it reasonable to bike to Key West from the mainland? Across all those bridges? Is it a reasonable destination for a bike tourist? When I was young the family stayed at campgrounds on some of the Keys. I think Bahia Honda? They should have modernized the bridges and put bike lanes on them by now.

Yes it is quite possible to ride all the way down from the mainland, people do it all the time.
The shoulders are pretty wide most all of the way and there is a bikeway part of the way down. The amount of "junk" on the shoulder and bikeway just depends on weather or not it's been swept recently. It can get kind of trashy. The bridges have good shoulders but the 7mile bridge out of Marathon can be a bit hairy. Traffic is close and moving @ 55 and above. It is NOT an easy ride down a country lane by any means.