Living Car Free - Reasons for being Car free?

I was wondering what peoples main reasons for living car free were. Is it an enviromental, financial, health or some other reason?

I would say going car light for me was a combination of the three....

Well, at the moment, I'm going car free for Lent...

cars are simply a headache. too much responsibllity for my tastes. i don't have a life where i need to drive great distances so what's the point of having a car? i think cars go too fast to be safe. i don't think the human mind was meant to process all that needs to be processed to move at the speeds that a car goes.
what is the death count anyway in america from car accidents, 50 thousand a year? i think that proves my point.

Mostly ideological reasons, although finances came into it too - what gave me the final push from car light to car free was needing to replace the brake discs on my car after a grand total of 10,000 miles from new - they'd rusted through lack of use.

I was wondering what peoples main reasons for living car free were. Is it an enviromental, financial, health or some other reason?

This has been covered in many ways. You might want to search the forum on reasons car free.

Here's a thread that may give you some ideas.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=505077

I was wondering what peoples main reasons for living car free were. Is it an enviromental, financial, health or some other reason?

Even though the environment is a big reason for me, I'd still be car free even if they came up with an environmentally friendly vehicle because I've always hated automobiles. I find the accident statistics appalling. All those thousands of people who lose their lives every year or are crippled for life. It's shocking how our societies just push that aside.

Because it's awesome

financial, health, pleasure, environmental - a bit of everything really :D

I suffer from anxiety attacks when I get into anything with a motor, so I ride bicycles. Seriously.

I originally started riding because my car broke down and i didnt want to pay $500+ to fix it. So my wife & i just started using her car. I only drive it maybe once a month and it's typically for distances over 50 miles round trip. I have been car-lite like this for about three years(with one Bicycle!) I have notice all of the Pros. listed above. I'm 22 and always let people know that i plan on riding my bicycle into retirement. It's something I will always be proud of. I even got my wife to commute in fair weather now!

I suffer from anxiety attacks when I get into anything with a motor, so I ride bicycles. Seriously.

Wow, this is not something that I would have thought of.

I'm car-light, not car-free, but my preferred mode of transportation is the bicycle. Walking is second and driving is a distant third. (Transit, if available, would win over the car.)

I could cite reasons of economy, improved health, concern for the environment and more. And all those reasons would be true to a greater or lesser degree. But the biggest reason is I like cycling and walking a lot more than I like driving a car.

I feel more alive, more complete when I'm on the bike or taking a walk. I'm able to experience my surroundings with all my senses. I can feel the warmth of a summer day or the chill of a winter wind. I can smell the sage and juniper in summer or the ripening fruit in fall. I can hear the coyotes calling to each other at night. I can feel my tires crunching on fresh snow or I can feel a refreshing summer rain. In a car or in a bus, those things are taken from me. There, the hum of the engine and possibly the voices on the radio are the sounds I'll hear. And the climate-controlled atmosphere separates me from the world around me.

I think honestly a better question would have been what other reasons other than financial, environmental and health do people live car free.

I think honestly a better question would have been what other reasons other than financial, environmental and health do people live car free.

When I went car free, it was because my then-husband totalled our vehicle, and I was sick of the hassles of owning a vehicle. So I refused to spend the accident settlement on another vehicle.

I was wondering what peoples main reasons for living car free were. Is it an enviromental, financial, health or some other reason?

I grew up without a car. By grade 7 I was taking public transit to school - and soon across the city. When other kids were busy getting driver's licences, I though it a waste of money.

At 37 I still see no need for a car, and would feel like a selfish jerk if I owned one.

I ride because it just seems the right way to get around. I started commuting to school in the 2nd grade, and when I left my Dad's house, I hadn't bought a car yet. So I was car-free from the get go, and quickly learned how to get along. At age 32, I got a car because in L.A. it seemed that having a car was a necessity to date women. During my marriage I was car lite. When I got divorced, I went back to car-free.

I am against car-culture, whatever you choose that to mean.

I'm car free because I finally can be.
No excuses not to. Most places I need to go now are more quickly accessed by bike or rail or a combination of the two.

A side effect of this is that I also am no longer comfortable riding in a bus or car. And I used to LOVE driving.

When I went car free, it was because my then-husband totalled our vehicle, and I was sick of the hassles of owning a vehicle. So I refused to spend the accident settlement on another vehicle.

I went car free the first time, because the friggin' thing was broken and I didn't have money to fix it.:rolleyes: Then got married and stayed car light for the next 7 years. Still working on the car light side of it...

Aaron:)

Money. I like saving it and spending it on travel. Creates far more memories than an auto would.

The health benefits are a great side effect.

As an aside, is it weird that I'm car-light (i.e. I drive when going farther than 30 miles, or when I'm hauling my 90 lb greyhound, but incredibly rarely otherwise), yet I came from car culture, and still drag race during the summer? I love the car culture, the race culture, the science behind everything, the history involved, etc. Hell, I've even got an oldsmobile rocket tattooed on my left shoulder blade. yet, 9 times out of 10, I'd rather be on a bike.

I think honestly a better question would have been what other reasons other than financial, environmental and health do people live car free.

I think fun is an additional reason for me. I love riding, and walking ain't bad either. In fact, I've even learned to enjoy taking the bus since I've had to ride it more due to an injury.

Besides the direct fun of riding, I can afford to work one less day every week because I don't have to support a machine. This gives me 20 % more time to do things that are fun or meaningful to me.

I also have a strong respect for rationality. For me, in my situation, it's irrational to own a car. I would feel stupid and dishonest if I owned a car.

Freedom.

Car-light, not car-free. But to keep the weight down, first, then ... I started to really enjoy it.

Like the thought of burning a tank of gas once a month, or less often ... not once a week.

Just got some baskets for a backup bike ... will soon be doing errands on bike, as well as commuting. I just dig it.

I grew up in New York city where driving a car is a hassle. I had three learner's permits for the various states that I lived in. I don't like driving. Now I live in the Motorcity but old habits are hard to break. I still don't like to drive. Last year I gave away three cars for the privilage of riding my bike. My DH grew up in the Motorcity and keeps buying those nasty things. We have reached a compromise, we are down to one car.
Gas, .69 cents the price of a can of beans.

i can't get a citation for drinking and biking...

i can't get a citation for drinking and biking...

Actually, you can.

I don't have a car because I don't need one. On the rare occasion that I go to visit the boyfriend (2 hours away), I borrow a car from my parents, but other than that, I live in an extremely bike-friendly city and so do not need to have a car.

i can't get a citation for drinking and biking...

Public Intoxication is the catch all. In some states they treat it as a DUI and will impound the bicycle. FWIW we had someone riding a horse down the middle of a 5 lane road at 3 am. He was all but passed out drunk, police pulled the horse over and found several gallons of untaxed liquor in gallon jugs. Fellow was arrested for running moonshine, public intoxication and several other charges, horse was impounded at the mounted police stables.

Aaron:)

Originally health reasons, with a side dish of a temporary financial problem. In the last 2 years I have got 5 years younger, people often don't believe me when I tell them my age.

Now I have, for the most part, stepped out of the car culture, It does give you a different viewpoint.
I still drive, for work mostly, and when conditions, time or load carrying needs apply, I can take the company vehicle home. There have been times I was told, to take it home ( because of conditions, )
and I refused. I was sick of driving. And I used to love it. Conditions have to be pretty foul for me to prefer driving now. I want to move to an area closer to work, if I succeed, it will be quicker to ride home, and much prettier route.

lost my dl for health reasons,
when you have a seizure you automatically lose your dl until you go a year with one,
and since i have them daily it was just easier to stick my car in storage.

I've always dreaded driving. I don't feel comfortable, being cooped up inside of a steel cage, burning all that gas and oil ... I get sleepy while driving, bored to death, depressed from spending many tens of thousands of dollars driving around ....

I've been riding bicycles since I was about four years old. Almost 52 now. What really got me started seriously considering riding bikes for my main transportation, was that my old van needed lots of repairs, and I just could no longer afford to fix the old beast.

At first I thought that maybe I would ride to save money, then fix my van, and still ride part time. But the more I rode my bike, the more I began to realize that I really can get around just fine by bicycle. I started researching the idea of motorizing my bicycle, and realized that would be very expensive, although I could afford to do that.

Now that I've gotten into much better shape, and can handle longer rides, and riding everyday, I decided to invest in a new bike with everything I need. A couple months ago I traded my van for a computer, so now I am living car free. And I hardly take the bus anymore.

So, for me, the reasons I've chosen to live car free -- cut my travel expenses, and do something to better my health, and also contribute less to pollution. I enjoy riding and look forward to getting out for another ride .... I just wish that I lived in a more bicycle friendly area ...

Just because owning a car is probably the single most effective way of transferring money from your net worth to someone else's. People don't realize to what extent they are working mostly for their car and home ownership. And don't get me started on other capitalist con games like life insurance, the entertainment industry, the computer industry, etc.

My mom totalled her car so I gave her mine. I miss it, but between the gf's car and living in a bike-friendly college town, I get by. Gave me justification to buy a shiny around-town bike as well!

Just because owning a car is probably the single most effective way of transferring money from your net worth to someone else's. People don't realize to what extent they are working mostly for their car and home ownership. And don't get me started on other capitalist con games like life insurance, the entertainment industry, the computer industry, etc.
What do you do with your money that isn't a "capitalist con game"? :roflmao2: Eat gruel, buy philosophy books, read free religious tracts, and listen to the birdies sing from a park bench?
What is your morally pure reason for earning a living, accumulating any net worth, spending any of your precious money; or living for that matter?

Most of the time I find driving unpleasant. Meanwhile, cycling is fun, healthy,uses no gasoline, and gets me around gridlock..

We are car light. Since my wife quit working there was really no need to have two vehicles. We didn't like paying the extra insurance and maintenance costs. But, it would very difficult for me to be car free because I haven't figured out how to carry my drumset, P.A. system, lights and speakers on my bike. ;)

We are car light. Since my wife quit working there was really no need to have two vehicles. We didn't like paying the extra insurance and maintenance costs. But, it would very difficult for me to be car free because I haven't figured out how to carry my drumset, P.A. system, lights and speakers on my bike. ;)

It's easy! Click here (http://www.bikesatwork.com/).

It's easy! Click here (http://www.bikesatwork.com/).

Your drumkit here!

http://pointhappy.com/gcf/Bike&Trailer2.jpg

After commuting 60+ miles a day in rush hour traffic for nearly two years, driving was completely ruined for me. So my original reason for being car free was my new found hatred for driving. But the longer I go without a car, I see how much of a hassle everything car-related can be. Insurance, gas, oil changes, repairs, tag fees, vehicle inspections, traffic tickets, accidents, body shops, sitting in traffic, terrible drivers, etc. It's just not worth it to me. If I don't need to put myself through all that trouble, then why should I? The other benefits are just added bonuses, although I'd say my overall favorite thing about being car free is being surrounded by nature, especially on a nice Spring day such as this. I would miss a lot of that in a car.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v214/lamplightsg/Nishiki/IMG_9464small.jpg

It's easy! Click here (http://www.bikesatwork.com/).

Nice trailers, Rbrian. However, my equipment exceeds the weight limit. Not to mention, just getting to the gig, setting up, playing 3 to 4 hours, tearing down, riding back home, makes that a very, very long day/night.

I like those trailers. They certainly would be practical in other applications. Thanks for the link!

After commuting 60+ miles a day in rush hour traffic for nearly two years, driving was completely ruined for me. So my original reason for being car free was my new found hatred for driving. But the longer I go without a car, I see how much of a hassle everything car-related can be. Insurance, gas, oil changes, repairs, tag fees, vehicle inspections, traffic tickets, accidents, body shops, sitting in traffic, terrible drivers, etc. It's just not worth it to me. If I don't need to put myself through all that trouble, then why should I? The other benefits are just added bonuses, although I'd say my overall favorite thing about being car free is being surrounded by nature, especially on a nice Spring day such as this. I would miss a lot of that in a car.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v214/lamplightsg/Nishiki/IMG_9464small.jpg

Your photo says a thousand words. The same message would never be relayed if we swapped your bike with even a modest car.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_jIqdtFXB9hE/Sc4JFcrcdeI/AAAAAAAAABY/2vmmmjmQjLg/s720/car%20meadow.JPG

Yeah, you're right...it just doesn't have that same peaceful feeling.

One thing I have a strong aversion for is paying insurance companies. I'd love to have enough excess cash to post my own insurance bond so I wouldn't have to shell out every 6 months.

Really, I think there's something spiritual about not being encumbered by heavy, loud, and dirty machinery. I'm not bashing cars - they have their purpose and are a necessity in most parts of the US. But I much prefer public transport and cycling.

I've been strongly considering a move to Portland or somewhere of a similar likeness just for a more cycling-friendly community.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_jIqdtFXB9hE/Sc4JFcrcdeI/AAAAAAAAABY/2vmmmjmQjLg/s720/car%20meadow.JPG

Yeah, you're right...it just doesn't have that same peaceful feeling.
:lol:

About three years ago I was working full time for a company that lost about 80% of it's business and not looking to hopeful. I picked up a second job and worked part time on top of the full time and prepared for the worst. Part of preparing for the worst was loose the car, move into inner city, get an efficiency. Picked up a cheap cruiser to get me to work and back and just fell in love with cycling and the whole carfree thing and have no plans of buying a car in the near future. I would have been on such a tight budget if I had kept the car friends thought I was insane for getting rid of it. Sad part was I had just bought the darn thing a year ago and was so upside down on what I owed that repo was the only option. It is much more difficult to get finance company to repo than you think. I had been working 70+ hrs a week for about 6 months and said no way I am picking up another second job again for this darn car just not worth my sanity and health. The company I was working part time for I am now full time and love it I make about 20% less than I did before but life isn't always about the money.

I make about 20% less than I did before but life isn't always about the money.

Being car free probably saves you that much anyway.

I love experiencing the ride, like previously said, you feel the air, hear the noises, feel the road. Life just slows down, I still need my car at least a couple times a month but to not shell out hundreds in fuel is the best, and i get a workout. Im only 20, but ive already gotten some of my friends into it, if people see the pros and get on a bike and stop talking about it... maybe there will be even fewer cars on the road. maybe bike paths where they are needed or other accomidations for the cyclist in public places. Its simple and greatly enjoyed, I hope other people can see that.