Living Car Free - Giving Up Driving ...

I called my insurance company today and told them I wanted to put my insurance on parking status. That way I will still have my insurance policy active, but just on hold status. I need to do serious engine repair on my Dodge Caravan, which has almost 230,000 miles. Can't really afford it, so I'll be invetsting as much as I can for an electric motor on my Electra Townie.

That's cool. Those electric motors look like fun. :)

Personally, I'd spend the money on a new bicycle that's better for distances than the Townie.

That's cool. Those electric motors look like fun. :)

Personally, I'd spend the money on a new bicycle that's better for distances than the Townie.

I wish I could get a better bicycle ... BUT ... I really don't have the extra cash for that. After riding my Townie for several years, I'm hoping that I can save up enough to invest in a really nice bicycle, say around the $1,000.00-1,500.00 range, and install an electric motor on that one too!!

I'm not really sure yet just how much I will have to invest in an electric motor ... Depends on my tax return. I'm hoping on around $1,500.00-2,000.00.

I really won't be traveling great distances anyway. The farthest I plan on commuting would be around 12-15 miles one way, but that would only be maybe one or two days a month. Most job assignments will be between 1.5-8 miles each way.

I wish I could get a better bicycle ... BUT ... I really don't have the extra cash for that. After riding my Townie for several years, I'm hoping that I can save up enough to invest in a really nice bicycle, say around the $1,000.00-1,500.00 range, and install an electric motor on that one too!!

I'm not really sure yet just how much I will have to invest in an electric motor ... Depends on my tax return. I'm hoping on around $1,500.00-2,000.00.

I really won't be traveling great distances anyway. The farthest I plan on commuting would be around 12-15 miles one way, but that would only be maybe one or two days a month. Most job assignments will be between 1.5-8 miles each way.

Schwinn (http://www.schwinnelectricbikes.com/Default_usa_l.aspx) makes a line of Electric bikes that fit into the price range you are looking at. Only problem is going to be availability and sizing if you take anything very large or very small in a frame size. I like the Continental (http://www.schwinnelectricbikes.com/Bikes/Continental.aspx) but a 19" frame is about 6" too small for me to ride comfortably.:(

Aaron:)

Schwinn (http://www.schwinnelectricbikes.com/Default_usa_l.aspx) makes a line of Electric bikes that fit into the price range you are looking at. Only problem is going to be availability and sizing if you take anything very large or very small in a frame size. I like the Continental (http://www.schwinnelectricbikes.com/Bikes/Continental.aspx) but a 19" frame is about 6" too small for me to ride comfortably.:(

Aaron:)

I've found the 26" bicycles the best for me ...

I've found the 26" bicycles the best for me ...

26" frame or 26" wheels? The wheels on the Schwinn electrics are 700c which works out to about 28".

Aaron:)

26" frame or 26" wheels? The wheels on the Schwinn electrics are 700c which works out to about 28".

Aaron:)

26" wheels are the best ride for me ...

I called my insurance company today and told them I wanted to put my insurance on parking status. That way I will still have my insurance policy active, but just on hold status. I need to do serious engine repair on my Dodge Caravan, which has almost 230,000 miles. Can't really afford it, so I'll be invetsting as much as I can for an electric motor on my Electra Townie.

This thread made me think..

I called up my insurance agent and explained my situation about being car lite. I usually on drive on weekends right now and hope to stop driving even then. (currently have rode more miles on my bike this year than drove the car)

I was able to get a low mileage discount, and am getting a refund check in the mail for my recent insurance payment.

This is good news!

This thread made me think..

I called up my insurance agent and explained my situation about being car lite. I usually on drive on weekends right now and hope to stop driving even then. (currently have rode more miles on my bike this year than drove the car)

I was able to get a low mileage discount, and am getting a refund check in the mail for my recent insurance payment.

This is good news!

I've had my insurance at the low-mileage rate for about a year now ... Will put my insurance on parking status January 1, 2009. I'm hoping that when I have to take my van in for smog, it will fail, and be classified as a gross polluter! Someone told me I can get a $1,000.00 rebate for a gross polluter!

I've had my insurance at the low-mileage rate for about a year now ... Will put my insurance on parking status January 1, 2009. I'm hoping that when I have to take my van in for smog, it will fail, and be classified as a gross polluter! Someone told me I can get a $1,000.00 rebate for a gross polluter!

I'll have to see when the refund check comes how much I can save. I am not expecting much..

can someone explain the advantages of parking status and what it is with an insurance company for car insurance
right now i am paying 600 dollars a year for car insurance.

can someone explain the advantages of parking status and what it is with an insurance company for car insurance
right now i am paying 600 dollars a year for car insurance.

Parking status is for when you plan on not driving for awhile ... Say, if you need to make repairs, but cannot afford the cost yet, so you won't be driving for awhile. The only reason I'm keeping my insurance on parking status is so I can drive my van to get the smog test, and then drive it somewhere to donate, or let the state buy it, that is, if they still have that program ...

I really don't want to spend another penny on my van, but parking status will only cost me $10.00 for six months! So it's not a huge amount of cash! I will need to get a non-operational registration from DMV.

I'll have to see when the refund check comes how much I can save. I am not expecting much..

Ok, just an update for those out there commuting and looking for a reduction in your car insurance. I received the refund check. Keep in mind I just paid $506 for coverage from Nov 18-May 18 (6 Months), and my refund check amount was $83.63 This was through state farm insurance.

I am pleased :D