Living Car Free - Dealing with criticism

Did you have criticism when you decided to get rid of your car? If so, how did you respond to it?

We have 2 cars. A minivan for the wife and a truck for me. I've been traveling pretty much everywhere by bike for almost a year now. I drive my truck about once a month to keep everything from seizing up, but it's still going to need brakes from lack of daily use due to really bad rust. So I figured if I made it through the winter I was safe to get rid of it.

I got the normal questions like:

"What if the van breaks down and you need a vehicle?" I responded that we can't take my truck anywhere as a family anyway so we would be renting a vehicle regardless of the situation.

"Everyone I know that gets ride of their truck regrets it, are you sure you want to do it?" I respond that I was going to get ride of it and have my wife's van second hand anyway so we weren't going to have a truck. By only having one vehicle I have room to store a utility trailer for those times when I need to haul something.

When the roads are bad my mom emails and asks me to take my truck (she always has to has something to worry about). She just thinks it's too dangerous to be on a bike. I just ignore those.

I know the obvious advantages such as insurance savings and maintenance costs, as well as the fact I'm happier riding my bike most days. I also enjoy being a bit odd.

I thought I had my wife's support until this morning when she was saying she wasn't sure if it was a good idea and maybe she should try to learn how to drive a manual transmission again so she could use my truck in the event of a problem with her van. I'm thinking with how rarely you have problems with a vehicle that's only 3 years old, we can take the chance and save the insurance money in case we need to rent something. I pay about $600 a year. If we have to rent a car that often, we'll buy a new van.

So I'm just not sure how to do something when it seems that everyone around me seems to think it's a bad idea. Suggestions?

...So I'm just not sure how to do something when it seems that everyone around me seems to think it's a bad idea. Suggestions?

My suggestion is to just tell people that you & your wife will be a one-car family for a while. That's still socially acceptable (I think). Get a AAA membership to handle mechanical breakdowns that your wife may experience, and make sure that both of you have phone numbers for taxis to call in case of emergencies. If necessary, point out that if you need to buy another car, it's no big deal and you can get wheels again in no more than day or two. That should give you enough cover to do what you want.

Did you have criticism when you decided to get rid of your car? If so, how did you respond to it?

My Ex had concerns when I started a 9 mile commute through the desert. Im not sure why because earlier in our marriage I had been doing a 17 mile commute in another city.

But two things happened to get her full support.

1) She saw me riding home one day while she was driving home and realized that I rode safely.

2) I had her "do the math" on getting another car and she realized that it would have put us in the red each month.

I had similar concerns when I got rid of my car (my wife still has hers, although she is driving it less and less). I saw a few places where having a car would be needed, and those come up a few times per year. When I need a car, for something (work related trip, family visiting etc), I rent one. Overall rental costs are far less than the expense of maintaining a car. The other area where I used my car was to haul big stuff home from Home Depot - and they offer a truck that you can rent by the hour - ends up costing me less than $20 per trip.

Bottom line - I can't see replacing my car, don't miss it a bit. And getting rid of it gives me great justification to buy more bike stuff.....

I like Platy's point that you can pick up another car/truck/whatever at the drop of a hat should a real need arise. (With all the money you'll save, you could buy one with cash.)

The thing to keep in mind is that people who object are having an emotional reaction, not a logical one. So logical answers will not be satisfying for them.

Your wife may be saying it's not a good idea because of this or that, but what she's really feeling is loss of face. In other words, what will the neighbors/our friends/our family think. You can't win that argument with facts or logic.

See, it doesn't matter right now that you bike to work and for errands, because it appears to everyone that it's a choice. Sure you could take the car, but you choose to ride the bike instead. Hooray for you! After dropping the car, then it looks like you *have* to ride a bike because "the poor guy doesn't have a car". Prestige is the issue.

You *might* get to a draw with responses that address prestige matters--how much more money you'll have, how much healthier you'll be, or how much better you'll look after dropping those extra pounds.

My situation was a little different when I went car-free, but friends and my parents were horrified at the idea. They came up with every excuse imaginable as to why I was being stupid to ditch my car. What finally worked for me with my people was happiness.

I explained that I'd already done car-lite and could easily go car-free. It made sense for me (not *to* me, *for* me) because of how frustrating driving had become for me and how angry it made me. Finally, I explained that without the expense, I could work less and enjoy life more.

"After all, you'd rather see me happy, right?" That was the stop, right there. What were they going to say? "No, I'd rather see you miserable and suffering."

You win these things on emotion, not logic or facts.

You should definitely figure out some alternate means of transportation. That should keep them happy.


Do some research on:
1. public transportation
2. car rentals
3. taxis

Get telephone numbers. Phone them up and determine costs. Estimate the cost-per-year vs. cost of maintaining your truck.

Then go for a ride on you bicycle.

When I junked my last car, and got on the bike full-time (was already pretty much there, anyway -- the entire month before it quit, I drove it ONCE!), there wasn't a lot of talk about it. Took a few months....

My sister and her husband 'hinted' that sooner or later, I was gonna hafta break down and buy a car; did this a few times. My answer was standard -- "Don't want one, can't afford it, anyway." They FINALLY shut up about it.

They still think it's a phase, that I'm in a second childhood or something, playing with an expensive toy -- and that they can bring me back to reality.

I have a reality for them -- I'll get off the bike when I'm no longer able to ride it!

(BTW -- been 5-1/2 years now)

So I'm just not sure how to do something when it seems that everyone around me seems to think it's a bad idea. Suggestions? Exactly the same way you would have done it if it seemed like a great idea to everyone. Why do you feel the need to justify your decisions to anyone except for your life partner? Are you in charge of your own life or do you have to get a stamp of approval for all your plans from semi-random half-strangers first?

My sister and her husband 'hinted' that sooner or later, I was gonna hafta break down and buy a car; did this a few times. My answer was standard -- "Don't want one, can't afford it, anyway." They FINALLY shut up about it.

I hear you on that, I put up with years of comments like that. It is almost like people want to see you forced into a car, but I think it mostly comes from a place of misunderstanding and concern.

For me it was a little different because I never actually learned to drive, which, growing up in the suburbs, was probably more of an accomplishment than managing to get a license. But like I said, it basically took a couple of years of me, my bike and my trailer doing everything on my own to stop people from making comments like that. The Christmas I rode the tree 15km back to my house is what finally quieted people down for good.

Although, after the better part of eight years of that I got burnt out by the whole thing and moved to Amsterdam, so maybe I'm not the best test case.

I haven't had any criticism in a long while. When I tell people I don't own a car most of them don't really care. Some say something like "well that saves a lot of money". Maybe my area has more understanding people or they just think it is more normal to save as much money as possible by riding a bicycle.

Recently I told somebody that when the temperatures are lower than 20 degrees I use a lot of chemical hand and feet warmers. I explained that buying a bunch of them each day was much cheaper than calling a cab or renting a car. They do cost three times more per day than the amount of gasoline I would have used in my last car. The savings comes from not buying a car and not really needing to use those chemical heaters more than two months out of the year.

I put one in each shoe and two in each mitten. The second one goes into the thumb because it is separate from the other section.

Last week I needed a cab to take my dog to the veterinarian. It cost about $26 for the round trip. Using chemical heaters costs about seven dollars per day. If I remove them from my gloves and shoes when I'm done using them I can conserve them. I just put them in an air tight thermos container. The heaters use up the oxygen and then stop reacting. When I pull them out they get more oxygen and begin generating heat.

If you have relatives that tell you not to ride in the cold, you can tell them about how using chemical heat packets keeps you warm throughout the winter months.

I haven't had any criticism in a long while. When I tell people I don't own a car most of them don't really care. Some say something like "well that saves a lot of money". Maybe my area has more understanding people or they just think it is more normal to save as much money as possible by riding a bicycle.

Recently I told somebody that when the temperatures are lower than 20 degrees I use a lot of chemical hand and feet warmers. I explained that buying a bunch of them each day was much cheaper than calling a cab or renting a car. They do cost three times more per day than the amount of gasoline I would have used in my last car. The savings comes from not buying a car and not really needing to use those chemical heaters more than two months out of the year.

I put one in each shoe and two in each mitten. The second one goes into the thumb because it is separate from the other section.

Last week I needed a cab to take my dog to the veterinarian. It cost about $26 for the round trip. Using chemical heaters costs about seven dollars per day. If I remove them from my gloves and shoes when I'm done using them I can conserve them. I just put them in an air tight thermos container. The heaters use up the oxygen and then stop reacting. When I pull them out they get more oxygen and begin generating heat.

If you have relatives that tell you not to ride in the cold, you can tell them about how using chemical heat packets keeps you warm throughout the winter months.

Neat tip on the chemical packs, I never thought about the oxygen deprivation angle. I have done the reusable packs that can be microwaved, and I have put a couple of hot potatoes in my pockets before.:o:D

Aaron:)

Using chemical heaters costs about seven dollars per day...

That's a startlingly high cost.
Have you tried reusable chemical warmers (http://www.hotsnapz.com/)?
Or battery powered ones (http://us.sanyo.com/SANYO-Store/2-Sided-Rechargeable-Hand-Warmer-Battery-Charger-Silver)?


To Chandltp: It sounds like you've thought this through and weighed the costs. Well done.
You may never convince them all. Most of society is brainwashed into thinking that driving is the most responsible way to get around.

I like the emotional response. I think I'll got with that, since most of their concerns are emotional. I don't know if I'll get any further.

I felt so defeated yesterday and today that I almost drove, using the cold as an excuse. It was 11F here this morning with no wind, and I quite enjoyed my ride to work.

I find it ironic that there was an advertisement for Nissan at the top of this page. :rolleyes:

If the truck is paid for and you can carry state minimum insurance you won't be out much money at all to keep it. Your wife has some security issues with getting rid of the truck. The insurance you'd have to carry on the truck is a cheap form of security for the wife.

That's a startlingly high cost.
Have you tried reusable chemical warmers (http://www.hotsnapz.com/)?
Or battery powered ones (http://us.sanyo.com/SANYO-Store/2-Sided-Rechargeable-Hand-Warmer-Battery-Charger-Silver)?

I have considered getting some Hottronic warmers for my shoes. I don't know if they would work in boots due to the high top above the ankles. The reusable chemical warmers you pointed to look really thick. I don't know how well they would work in a glove if at all. They definitely won't work in shoe. Their heat only lasts thirty minutes to two hours. The company also says they should be kept wrapped to make them last longer. I don't want to keep the heaters warm, I want the heaters to keep me warm. I've called the company to ask them some questions. I left a message since nobody was answering the phone when I called.


I find it ironic that there was an advertisement for Nissan at the top of this page. :rolleyes:
This site selects some advertisements by scanning the text and choosing what it thinks fits the topic of discussion. If we all wrote about water skiing there would be ads for boats, trucks pulling boat trailers, and other related equipment. Just by typing that sentence it makes it more likely that such things will appear. The word truck has been mentioned several times in this thread, thus we see truck advertisements.


If the truck is paid for and you can carry state minimum insurance you won't be out much money at all to keep it.

Much money is a relative term. If we all were earning many multiples of our annual spending then keeping an old truck around wouldn't be much of an expense. In Montana there is a yearly registration fee of about $360.00. After a vehicle is ten years old the fee goes away (I think). Keeping an old car insured and in good repair might cost two months rent even with the minimum insurance requirements. It's the liability part that takes up most of the cost of insurance and that is the mandatory part of it. The thing is that if you ever get sued and you just have the minimum liability coverage your home and other possessions are at risk. If you didn't have the truck around in the first place it would be unlikely that you would get into an accident and be sued.

It's all about which risks you are willing to accept. All risk is just a gamble. Every risk assessment is based on hypothetical outcomes. I'm sure there are people out there that have beaten all the odds and never needed insurance. I think keeping a second motor vehicle multiplies your chances of being sued, injured, or killed. It does guarantee you will be spending more money no matter how you look at it.

Is there a Flex Car service near you? I wish there were one where I live.

Recently I told somebody that when the temperatures are lower than 20 degrees I use a lot of chemical hand and feet warmers. I explained that buying a bunch of them each day was much cheaper than calling a cab or renting a car. They do cost three times more per day than the amount of gasoline I would have used in my last car. The savings comes from not buying a car and not really needing to use those chemical heaters more than two months out of the year.

for you and certain other people, the chemical hand/foot warmers might really be the best solution.

i hope you'd at least consider wearing the super-insulated kind of gloves / boots that are favored by people who work in places like Barrow (northernmost city in USA).

If the truck is paid for and you can carry state minimum insurance you won't be out much money at all to keep it. Your wife has some security issues with getting rid of the truck. The insurance you'd have to carry on the truck is a cheap form of security for the wife.

The OP says he spend $600 a year for the second each vehicle. He also needs to buy gas for the occasional ride, registration, any repairs. It could easily run $100 a month. It might be worth the extra money. You won't do much traveling by taxi for $100, but around here a monthly bus pass is less than $50.

$600.00 a year to keep the car, or $600.00 a year for his wife and mother's peace of mind? It is a cheap way to keep a bunch of people off his back. If his family isn't on board with ditching the truck it is by no means worth it.

What I did in a situation like this was to keep my SUV, keep it parked, pay the insurance/ license fees and let the wife use it when she needed a vehicle to haul large loads or for a back up vehicle. The drop in the SUV operating/maintenance expenditures paid for the insurance/license fees, and giving the wife a peace of mind in the case of her needing a spare/large load vehicle.

Exactly the same way you would have done it if it seemed like a great idea to everyone. Why do you feel the need to justify your decisions to anyone except for your life partner? Are you in charge of your own life or do you have to get a stamp of approval for all your plans from semi-random half-strangers first?

Couldn't agree more. Also, the idea that you need a vehicle in the driveway for 'peace of mind' is kinda creepy. It's often said that teenagers are ruled by 'peer pressure' but what I see and hear is the complete opposite, suburban adults afraid of what their neighbors will think about the house, the car, the clothes..?

If the truck just sits around not being used or being used infrequently then there are also going to be big repair bills besides the 600 bucks a year. All the rubber hoses and belts will go out first from disuse, then i the tires will rot, and then on and on and on... However, if you sell the ruck now while it is still worth something then you can take that money and put it to good use for you either in an investment fund or paying off some debt and saving you interest. If you keep the truck it will cost A LOT more than 600 a year I think. Also don't forget that even though the truck is just sitting its also depreciating when the times come that you do want to sell it. I suggest taking some of the money you will save by selling the truck and upgrading your current auto insurance or adding AAA so that when or if you wifes van breaks down you are covered to rent a car for free. Seems a lot less hassle to me.

I wrote up a list of snappy comebacks. it only took a few to shut them up.

This site selects some advertisements by scanning the text and choosing what it thinks fits the topic of discussion. If we all wrote about water skiing there would be ads for boats, trucks pulling boat trailers, and other related equipment. Just by typing that sentence it makes it more likely that such things will appear. The word truck has been mentioned several times in this thread, thus we see truck advertisements.

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OK, let's see if that works. :D

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OK, let's see if that works. :D
Kinda like an Aussie rain dance or something? OK, here goes...

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:lol:

ibtl.

If the truck just sits around not being used or being used infrequently then there are also going to be big repair bills besides the 600 bucks a year. All the rubber hoses and belts will go out first from disuse, then i the tires will rot, and then on and on and on... However, if you sell the ruck now while it is still worth something then you can take that money and put it to good use for you either in an investment fund or paying off some debt and saving you interest. If you keep the truck it will cost A LOT more than 600 a year I think. Also don't forget that even though the truck is just sitting its also depreciating when the times come that you do want to sell it. I suggest taking some of the money you will save by selling the truck and upgrading your current auto insurance or adding AAA so that when or if you wifes van breaks down you are covered to rent a car for free. Seems a lot less hassle to me.


You would have replaced a lot of those parts anyway, and a lot sooner, if you used the vehicle on a regular basis. The tires on my vehicle lasted 10 years before I replaced them due to side wall checking/wear, a good tire treatment helped in prolonging their life as in the case of the rubber hoses as well. Trying to rent a vehicle can be a hassle in itself, not all secondary vehicle usage needs can be delayed and planned in advance for, especially when need in the spur of the moment. Vehicle depreciation can be less painful since one can take advantage of the reduced insurance/license fees, even less painful still if one buys a newer used vehicle to begin with.

Regarding criticism: not everyone's opinion counts. Before trying to address their criticism, think for a minute if they actually should have a say in how you arrange your life. Your wife and possible kids obviously have every right to expect their worries will be considered in the process. Everyone else, not so much.

--J

Did you have criticism when you decided to get rid of your car? If so, how did you respond to it?

We have 2 cars. A minivan for the wife and a truck for me. I've been traveling pretty much everywhere by bike for almost a year now. I drive my truck about once a month to keep everything from seizing up, but it's still going to need brakes from lack of daily use due to really bad rust. So I figured if I made it through the winter I was safe to get rid of it.

I got the normal questions like:

"What if the van breaks down and you need a vehicle?" I responded that we can't take my truck anywhere as a family anyway so we would be renting a vehicle regardless of the situation.

"Everyone I know that gets ride of their truck regrets it, are you sure you want to do it?" I respond that I was going to get ride of it and have my wife's van second hand anyway so we weren't going to have a truck. By only having one vehicle I have room to store a utility trailer for those times when I need to haul something.

When the roads are bad my mom emails and asks me to take my truck (she always has to has something to worry about). She just thinks it's too dangerous to be on a bike. I just ignore those.

I know the obvious advantages such as insurance savings and maintenance costs, as well as the fact I'm happier riding my bike most days. I also enjoy being a bit odd.

I thought I had my wife's support until this morning when she was saying she wasn't sure if it was a good idea and maybe she should try to learn how to drive a manual transmission again so she could use my truck in the event of a problem with her van. I'm thinking with how rarely you have problems with a vehicle that's only 3 years old, we can take the chance and save the insurance money in case we need to rent something. I pay about $600 a year. If we have to rent a car that often, we'll buy a new van.

So I'm just not sure how to do something when it seems that everyone around me seems to think it's a bad idea. Suggestions?

Personally I'm not too concerned about what opinions other people want to volunteer.

If I think it's the right thing to do, I do it. THEN, if I want someone else's opinion, I'll ask them.

I gave my motor vehicle to a charity about 6 years ago and have NEVER regretted it.

I really ENJOY riding a bicycle but I don't really enjoy driving a motor vehicle.

On a bicycle I feel that I'm part of the solution, whereas, in a motor vehicle, I feel that I'm part of the problem.

Kinda like an Aussie rain dance or something? OK, here goes...

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:lol:

Ok... I'm going waiting for it. :popcorn

we got a naked puppet

Yea, it's those additional costs of it sitting that are bothering me. I'm looking at $200-$300 for brakes on a vehicle I don't use just to pass the $50 yearly inspection. It's not that much, but since I have a bike I need to maintain I see that as A LOT of bike maintenance.

I've been doing a lot of thinking about my life in general lately and I've realized I don't do enough of what I want. When the weather warms up I think I'm selling the truck (it's a 2WD in snow country).

I'll use the money to get a trailer so we can still haul the big stuff home from Lowes (probably bigger stuff in all reality).

I'll tell the wife to save the $600 a year and rent a car when we need one.

After a few weeks, everybody will get bored with telling you how to live your life and will move onto something else.

I didn't really get rid of my car, I never had one in the first place...when I bought my bike, that is.

My wife has a vehicle, but my primary means of transportation is my bike. I love doing it. When I started riding I had my wife drive me to work with my bike and I would cycle home...about 20ish miles. She often implores me to consider driving her truck, or at least getting a ride from her, but I tell her that all the money I spent on my bike (and the work it took to renew it) would be in vain.

To anyone who criticizes me for giving up relying on a car, I say this: You are stupid. More likely, I actually politely agree to disagree with them. The benefits of riding a bike FAR outweigh the costs of driving a vehicle. My uncle actually gave me a truck, and I still have yet to register it my name and insure it because I enjoy riding on my bike much more.

If anyone gives you grief over your decision, remember that you need to be a big boy and do what you will do. Secondly, consider that you will maintain incredible health if you are riding a bike enough to say that it is your primary means of transportation.

Did you have criticism when you decided to get rid of your car? If so, how did you respond to it?

I thought I had my wife's support until this morning when she was saying she wasn't sure if it was a good idea and maybe she should try to learn how to drive a manual transmission again so she could use my truck in the event of a problem with her van. I'm thinking with how rarely you have problems with a vehicle that's only 3 years old, we can take the chance and save the insurance money in case we need to rent something. I pay about $600 a year. If we have to rent a car that often, we'll buy a new van.

So I'm just not sure how to do something when it seems that everyone around me seems to think it's a bad idea. Suggestions?

Give it some time and let your wife see how beneficial it can be for your health and your marital finances. Don't be upset over the fact that she doesn't seem to want you to do it, and whatever you do don't let that get between you two...basic marriage counseling. She wants you to be safe, have a reliable means of transportation, etc. Nothing wrong with that.

For those critics, just borrow their truck when needed:). Do you have zip car in your area ? A good solution for those in need of an occasional vehicle.

When people find I prefer to ride, some say it's good exercise and others say I must be saving money because I don't need to buy fuel that often. Both are true. But I ride because I like to ride. Exercise and savings are cool benefits, but they're not my reasons for riding.

If someone who knows me and understands me has a valid concern about safety or about what I'll do in an emergency, I'll listen, consider it and then give them a response. They know I've thought about what I'm doing and they respect me for it. (If someone who doesn't know me tries to make a comment, my response may be a little flippant.)

By now, people understand that I ride and most of them respect it. When I show up somewhere in a car (which happens occasionally,) they'll start to ask questions.

Got rid of the truck, and the woman magically vanished. She hasn't bugged me since. It's one of the best things about being car free--no nagging mouchers!

I have a strange situation, I park a company Truck in my driveway every night, I have a anti-bike wife,, so I got rid of my truck,
I got criticism even still...

My parents are paying their annual visit this weekend, and I'm sure the topic of going car-less will come up, one way or another. My partner and I are both getting really excited about the prospect of selling our crappy little car and getting a cargo bike for errands. It's entirely feasible in the city. However, my mother is going to *freak out.* Ever since I got rid of my car 3.5 years ago and started walking and later biking to work, she's been gunning for me to get another one. I've tried to explain to her many times that having 2 cars for a 2-person family of bike commuters make no sense at all, nor could we afford insurance for another car even if we wanted one. She doesn't listen. She is terrified at the thought of me biking around a big city and is sure I'll get hit by a car or ride headlong into something and die. She thinks I'm positively insane for biking to work every day. Ah, mothers! :)

Ironically, she's always complaining about how I should exercise more. Apparently 80 minutes on my bike 3-4 times per week isn't enough? Heh.

My partner and I are both getting really excited about the prospect of selling our crappy little car and getting a cargo bike for errands. It's entirely feasible in the city. However, my mother is going to *freak out.* Ever since I got rid of my car 3.5 years ago and started walking and later biking to work, she's been gunning for me to get another one. I've tried to explain to her many times that having 2 cars for a 2-person family of bike commuters make no sense at all, nor could we afford insurance for another car even if we wanted one. She doesn't listen. She is terrified at the thought of me biking around a big city and is sure I'll get hit by a car or ride headlong into something and die. She thinks I'm positively insane for biking to work every day. Ah, mothers! :)

Ironically, she's always complaining about how I should exercise more. Apparently 80 minutes on my bike 3-4 times per week isn't enough? Heh.

You have a stable partner. You didn't end up in jail. You seem like you turned out reasonably well. She should be thankful the bicycle is your only vice. You can tell her I said so :)

Is the truck paid for?

You have a stable partner. You didn't end up in jail. You seem like you turned out reasonably well. She should be thankful the bicycle is your only vice. You can tell her I said so :)

Why thank you :D

Well the first point in all of this is that since noone of all those people around me pays for my expenses, they do not get a say in what I ride or drive, how do I spend my money, and what I choose to posses and what I choose not to. So, to have a car or not have a car is fully my decision and it does not concern anyone else around me.

That said, yes, there will always be those other people that have nothing better to do with their lives then stick their noses where they weren't invited or wanted, and for them I have one tactic: ignore. Everyone has a right to decide for themselves how they live their own lives, and so do I. And I do not have a need, or an obligation to explain my choices to anyone else. Sufficient?

I really can't see the point in getting so worked up over what others think, most of them which you don't know at all, some just from passing by, and maybe a handfull you know well enough that you can remember their names. So what's the point really?

The same as I don't worry over theirs obviously unhealthy habits (chain smoking, no psychical activity of whatever kind) that are going to do them in someday, I don't see much of a need for worrying over their highly overrated and questionable opinions. If their opinions are based on largely-spread stereotypes that an average human being should be unhealthy, smoke or drink regularly, drive even a few hundred feets instead of walking - and if all that is needed to make one look "normal" in their eyes, than thank you very much, but no thanks - I'll be very much not normal (that is I'll try to live a somewhat healthy lifestyle, ride more, eat healthy, move on my own two legs as much as I can), and I'll do it with pleasure. What is considered "normal" today isn't really anymore normal, it's skewed completely from a normal and healthy lifestyle.

I live my life for myself, not in everlasting fear of what all others around me are going to think. As long as I do no harm to others with my lifestyle, it is completely irrevelant what they say. If anything, with all that driving and chain smoking, most of the people I know make much more damage to the enviroment, and indirectly to me when I have to breathe those toxic fumes, then I could ever do with my cycling.

And in the end, I choose how I live my life, and what really counts is that I'm at peace with how I live my life. Not what others say, not what others think, at the end of the day it all comes back down to baseline principles and character that guide me in my decisions. And one decision is that I will ride a bike as much as I can, and by that I will be contributing my small contribution to lessening the effects of pollution our cars spew around every day. And yes, I do have a car for some things, but it is used only when nessecary, and when I feel justified doing so. In reality, 90% of my urban transport needs are covered by the bike.