Living Car Free - Why live car-free?

Actually, a fair amount of stuff in the video came true, such as shipping containers, and long distance commutes.

Car lite is easier than car free. Gives one more options.. Depends upon where you live. What kind of public transit services do you enjoy and the proximity of places you need transport yourself to. Car free , It is possible in large cities where you have all those transit systems..
Guess it is either a statement of your economic situation or else sort of a cultural /political statement.. Stating , I won't let a car culture of which I disapprove be shoved down my throat..

Yes. I'm actually car-lite, but people are car-free because they feel like it.

Not everybody.

I am completely car-free since I was born and I can't drive a car due to my visual impairment; yet, here I am -- I am car-free. But I will get a bike sometime soon, so I can forget about car commercials.


This weekend, I went grocery shopping, and outside the store, I am loading grocery bags in my bike trailer and a little kid comes flying out of the store, looks at my bike and trailer and yells 'Hey Mom - look how cool this is', I was about to say something when mom came out of the store, and she probably weighed over 250 lbs. I didn't say a thing to mother or child, just smiled.

You should be proud of yourself. I'd like to do that when I go grocery shopping (I have environmentally-friendly Wal-Mart bags for grocery shopping)! :)

Cause I saw this video called magic highway usa

http://www.bikingtoronto.com/duncan/2009/11/war-against-physical-activity.html

I wish I could live in that part of the future.

I'd like to see bicycles that could pedal itself. I mean, I'd like a bicycle with a netbook-sized tablet that replaces handlebars, a pad instead of pedals, and a couple of sensors around the bicycle forsafety and controlling of a bike. Of course, there could be handlebars, but it won't steer. Think "robocars" but for bicycles instead, aka "robobicycles." :) If a cyclist really wanted to control a bicycle, a cyclist could replace a pad with a pedal and can use a joystick within a tablet to steer to the left or right. However, that'd look too similar to that of a motorcycle and will probably require a driver's license in order to ride it.

Car lite is easier than car free. Gives one more options.. Depends upon where you live. What kind of public transit services do you enjoy and the proximity of places you need transport yourself to. Car free , It is possible in large cities where you have all those transit systems..
Guess it is either a statement of your economic situation or else sort of a cultural /political statement.. Stating , I won't let a car culture of which I disapprove be shoved down my throat..

Right. I guess if you lived in Tokyo or NYC or even Chicago, the reverse might be true. Having a car parked in the street that you weren't using very much might be a PITA. However, living in a North American city where everything is five miles away and the buses don't run on Sunday...

I am 25 and never got a driver's license. I drove on a permit for awhile and did not like it at all. I live in Scottsdale Arizona and am a hardcore balls to the walls bicycle rider. I ride a Rans V2 everywhere I go. I love bike riding, it is my greatest passion.

We have a car stashed away in storage in Boise - been there for the past 1.5 years while we make our way southward toward the southern tip of South America on our bikes. We decided we wanted to see the world - REALLY see the world - and the bikes are the best way to do that.

Before we left, we had two cars, but one of them was ALWAYS in the driveway and was never driven. The other one was used rarely. I rode my bike to work nearly every day. We plan on doing the same when we get back home in another year or so. Until then - we'll lug everything we need around South America on our bikes!

Goodness, now I see your blog. What a life you lead! I'm so envious!

Goodness, now I see your blog. What a life you lead! I'm so envious!

Thank you! We really have enjoyed our journey - most of it anyway!

Thank you! We really have enjoyed our journey - most of it anyway!

Great journey and a great blog! The kids look like they're having a wonderful time cycling thousands of miles across two continents.

Great journey and a great blog! The kids look like they're having a wonderful time cycling thousands of miles across two continents.

they are having a blast and John & I are loving being with them 24/7. They are special little boys!

For me it is a telling the SFlorida police officers to ____ (you figure it out).

I would love to sell my Yaris. Im hoping to get out of it in the next year.

However, I really hate driving. I get a ticket every year and know I have received over 20 in my lifetime hell if not more.

I simply hate to drive. The excitement I had at driving at 15 has been replaced with bitterness.

I hate when they pull me over and ask "Do you know why I stopped you?" What damn difference does it really make. This is your job. To fine people. What do I care why or the reason. Just give me the stupid ticket and be on your way.
Is it going to matter if I know the reason why? Will it prevent you from giving me a $166 ticket for not putting on my left turn signal? NOOO!

I feel about driving how I feel about going into stores and shopping. I used to love to shop for clothes. However, bad or lack of customer care has just simply turned me off. I spend most of my $$ shopping online.

I am the person that is always being stopped so it irritates me. In any event, I ride more just to thumb my nose at police officers. No more tickets. I also drive a scooter most places too. I hope to be out of this stupid $368.00 car note and this horrid $120.00 a month car insurance asap.

They can take all of it. I will just ride the bus, walk or ride. Im so over it. The police officers here hassle everyone, motorcyclists, pedestrians, drivers---its all so idiotic.

Is my driving horrible? I dont think so. The tickets are not for drunkeness and the like. Its always stupid asinine things like: Im the person that gets caught in the "trap" --I didnt get the memo on Thursday they are ticketing everyone that turns right on the red....kinda nonsense. The sign on my car says: TICKET ME!

I just hate driving. I hate it. I hate it. I hate it. But in SFlorida it is necessary. It sucks. I have a great job (two in fact) but I hate to drive. I hate every time I get in the car. I hate every time I see a police car. Sadly, they are everywhere. Everywhere!

For me it is a telling the SFlorida police officers to ____ (you figure it out).

I would love to sell my Yaris. Im hoping to get out of it in the next year.

However, I really hate driving. I get a ticket every year and know I have received over 20 in my lifetime hell if not more.

I simply hate to drive. The excitement I had at driving at 15 has been replaced with bitterness.

I hate when they pull me over and ask "Do you know why I stopped you?" What damn difference does it really make. This is your job. To fine people. What do I care why or the reason. Just give me the stupid ticket and be on your way.
Is it going to matter if I know the reason why? Will it prevent you from giving me a $166 ticket for not putting on my left turn signal? NOOO!

I feel about driving how I feel about going into stores and shopping. I used to love to shop for clothes. However, bad or lack of customer care has just simply turned me off. I spend most of my $$ shopping online.

I am the person that is always being stopped so it irritates me. In any event, I ride more just to thumb my nose at police officers. No more tickets. I also drive a scooter most places too. I hope to be out of this stupid $368.00 car note and this horrid $120.00 a month car insurance asap.

They can take all of it. I will just ride the bus, walk or ride. Im so over it. The police officers here hassle everyone, motorcyclists, pedestrians, drivers---its all so idiotic.

Is my driving horrible? I dont think so. The tickets are not for drunkeness and the like. Its always stupid asinine things like: Im the person that gets caught in the "trap" --I didnt get the memo on Thursday they are ticketing everyone that turns right on the red....kinda nonsense. The sign on my car says: TICKET ME!

I just hate driving. I hate it. I hate it. I hate it. But in SFlorida it is necessary. It sucks. I have a great job (two in fact) but I hate to drive. I hate every time I get in the car. I hate every time I see a police car. Sadly, they are everywhere. Everywhere!

I hate driving, too, and I'm car free. On the rare occasions that I drive someone else's vehicle, I am very conservative. I keep the speed down to 90 km. per hour (speed limit is 110-120 kph), avoid the fast lane and obey all traffic laws.

It seems to me that if you did the same you could avoid getting those tickets, reduce emissions, and perhaps avoid being involved in a crash.

I hate driving, too, and I'm car free. On the rare occasions that I drive someone else's vehicle, I am very conservative. I keep the speed down to 90 km. per hour (speed limit is 110-120 kph), avoid the fast lane and obey all traffic laws.

It seems to me that if you did the same you could avoid getting those tickets, reduce emissions, and perhaps avoid being involved in a crash.

Be careful Ekdog your talking to BADBOY! He is one tough dude don't you know! I guess the 10 represents his age? He is sooooo cool he thinks that he doesn't have to obey traffic laws when he drives his Yaris! Society and rules are just not his thing.

Seriously, don't turn right on a red when there is a "no right on red" sign, use your turn signal, and obey the laws. Driving is a privilege not a right. Do you really think that your going to get any sympathy on a car-free cycling forum for your reckless driving? There a trillion threads on here complaining about drivers exactly like you. When I did drive, for 10 years, I never received one ticket because I obeyed the laws. Do us a favor and watch out for cyclists too buddy!

Be careful Ekdog your talking to BADBOY! He is one tough dude don't you know! I guess the 10 represents his age? He is sooooo cool he thinks that he doesn't have to obey traffic laws when he drives his Yaris! Society and rules are just not his thing.

Seriously, don't turn right on a red when there is a "no right on red" sign, use your turn signal, and obey the laws. Driving is a privilege not a right. Do you really think that your going to get any sympathy on a car-free cycling forum for your reckless driving? There a trillion threads on here complaining about drivers exactly like you. When I did drive, for 10 years, I never received one ticket because I obeyed the laws. Do us a favor and watch out for cyclists too buddy!
Yikes. I didn't realize I was posting under the name of Zeppinger. :lol:
Zepp, you are learning your lessons well! (i.e. not every post from a car free person is blessed with wisdom and therefore exempt from criticism) :thumb:

**

Ekdog, Zeppinger and I-Like to Bike--well aren't you friendly? I guess you are the Welcoming Committee. Like wolves surrounding fresh prey---Newbie hazing at its best.




BadBoy10=Cannondale Bad Boy 2010
My age=I’m in my late 30’s
You would have to actually live in SFlorida to understand ticketing is a huge revenue builder especially since property tax legislation changed (voters voted to lower property taxes and it has killed government, service industries. Economically Florida is suffering. If you read about our housing market you would understand why ticketing is bigger than it has ever been. Everyone receives tickets all the time. On any given day on the highway you will see 4 or 5 police officers providing back up for a solitary traffic citation. It is what it is. I have no issue with police officers and their career choices. I am thankful actually. My focus was to answer the question: I ride my bicycle a lot because I am tired of tickets and driving a car is very expensive.
My issue is not with following traffic laws nor was I looking for sympathy. I only stated the obvious— there are “traps” everywhere. You have stated the obvious—follow the law and you won’t get caught. I am stating if there is a purposeful system set up to catch you doing something: it will. Am I whining? No. I just have learned to work around it. I bike.
Traffic citations have skyrocketed--why? It is quick easy government revenue. And we need it to keep providing government services.
A friend of mine was recently cited for not having a seat belt. No less than 6 police officers showed up to assist. Granted, Florida is notorious with shooting police officers and I understand the safety measures--and they are doing their job. But 6---?
If you have never owned a car--it may be difficult for you to conceptualize.
I doubt you follow all the rules every single day. The day you don’t in SFlorida you will be ticketed because there is always law enforcement waiting and watching.

Ekdog, Zeppinger and I-Like to Bike--well aren't you friendly? I guess you are the Welcoming Committee. Like wolves surrounding fresh prey---Newbie hazing at its best.





BadBoy10=Cannondale Bad Boy 2010
My age=I’m in my late 30’s
You would have to actually live in SFlorida to understand ticketing is a huge revenue builder especially since property tax legislation changed (voters voted to lower property taxes and it has killed government, service industries. Economically Florida is suffering. If you read about our housing market you would understand why ticketing is bigger than it has ever been. Everyone receives tickets all the time. On any given day on the highway you will see 4 or 5 police officers providing back up for a solitary traffic citation. It is what it is. I have no issue with police officers and their career choices. I am thankful actually. My focus was to answer the question: I ride my bicycle a lot because I am tired of tickets and driving a car is very expensive.
My issue is not with following traffic laws nor was I looking for sympathy. I only stated the obvious— there are “traps” everywhere. You have stated the obvious—follow the law and you won’t get caught. I am stating if there is a purposeful system set up to catch you doing something: it will. Am I whining? No. I just have learned to work around it. I bike.
Traffic citations have skyrocketed--why? It is quick easy government revenue. And we need it to keep providing government services.
A friend of mine was recently cited for not having a seat belt. No less than 6 police officers showed up to assist. Granted, Florida is notorious with shooting police officers and I understand the safety measures--and they are doing their job. But 6---?
If you have never owned a car--it may be difficult for you to conceptualize.
I doubt you follow all the rules every single day. The day you don’t in SFlorida you will be ticketed because there is always law enforcement waiting and watching.



Hazing? Who's hazing?

If, as you say, the traffic citations and fines are nothing more than a means of raising the revenue that your area needs to keep government services going, why do you oppose being ticketed? Aren't you willing to pay your fair share of "taxes"?

Anyway, we can both agree that the more you cycle the better. Just be careful, really, whether you're behind the wheel of a car or on your bike.

Have a happy and safe 2010.

I am single with no kids. I pay more than my share of my taxes. Truly.

I am not a tea partier.