Living Car Free - New Forum- Living Car Free

Here is the new forum for car free living. Feel free to discuss your car free concerns here... but keep in mind, this is NOT the forum for discussion about multi-use paths, arguing about your problems with cars, SUV's etc. or to flame people who drive. It's the spot for people to discuss getting around without cars, utility trailers, living without the car, etc. Any topics that deviate beyond the spirit of the forum will be moved out into their proper forums.

Enjoy.

Koffee Brown

My wife and I were car-free for the first 3+ years of our marriage. We bought our first car, a year-old Ford Pinto station wagon, in late 1976, about the time we bought our first house. I continued to commute to work on foot, by bicycle, and via public transportation, and we did not buy a second car until 1980, when I took a job considerably farther from home and joined a 2-man carpool. We are currently effectively back to one car, since my commute once again comprises various combinations of cycling, jogging, riding the bus, and riding with friends. Some of my coworkers offer me rides home, because they can save time in the carpool lane.

The most difficult aspects of being carless are: 1) grocery shopping; 2) attending late-evening cultural events; 3) visiting places far from home and not served by transit. We resolved the first with large framed backpacks and the latter two by getting rides from friends and reciprocating with gifts, gas money, or perhaps dinner before or after a concert or play.

The key to going carless is the availability of good public transit and your own willingness to cycle in at night and under various weather conditions. If I lived near downtown San Francisco or Boston, I doubt I would even WANT a car. You can also do a quick economic study to decide whether occasionally renting a car is cheaper for you than owning one.

Woohoo! Great forum idea.

I've been car-free all my life. Our household (3 adults, 2 cats, 1 gecko, 1 mystery rodent) manages just fine without a car. I occasionally use a car for work (less then once a month), but don't drive it: that's part of what I pay my assistant for.

To me, there are two key parts of being able to live without a personal car (I'm not assuming everyone can also live without a business car). The first is location, the second is selective shopping. Both require planning.

Its always been obvious to me (though apparently not to many others) that choosing a home is all about location: how close to transit, stores, work, etc. Car-free or not, I do not understand why anyone would chose to have a long commute. And while you can't always control your job location, you can certainly chose to live near grocery stores and other necessities.

Selective shopping also requires planning. First eliminate the junk, and buy wholesome foods. Fresh fruits, veggies, and meats need a lot less packaging - and therefore are easier to carry - than pre-packaged foods. Find stores that will deliver: in addition to small trips for perishables, we do a huge grocery every two weeks and have it delivered: costs us $5.00CAD. If you plan ahead, paying the occasional small delivery fee is still much cheaper than paying for gas.

Finally don't under-estimate what you can carry home on a bike. 20lbs of cat litter in a backpack or pannier is not that hard (consider using Swheat Scoop- works better, environmentally friendly, and much lighter too). Need new blinds? I carried 5 foot blinds strapped to my top tube. Get a good rack and a selection of bungee cords, and you're set. The people who stare at you and think you're nuts are just an added bonus. ;)

Finally don't under-estimate what you can carry home on a bike. 20lbs of cat litter in a backpack or pannier is not that hard)

I'll be doing that later today :)

Here is the new forum for car free living. Feel free to discuss your car free concerns here... but keep in mind, this is NOT the forum for discussion about multi-use paths, arguing about your problems with cars, SUV's etc. or to flame people who drive. It's the spot for people to discuss getting around without cars, utility trailers, living without the car, etc. Any topics that deviate beyond the spirit of the forum will be moved out into their proper forums.

Enjoy.

Koffee Brown
i've been away from my computer for awhile. this is a great surprise. I'M SUPER JAZZED!!! although i would like to be able to bash cars, thats part of my car free lifestyle

Two words: I wish. :cry:

This is fantastic. Maybe the only place where I don't feel like I'm in the lunatic fringe!

i've been away from my computer for awhile. this is a great surprise. I'M SUPER JAZZED!!! although i would like to be able to bash cars, thats part of my car free lifestyle

Yes, but you know that since this forum is not about car bashing, you won't do it here, will ya? ;)

Koffee

Wow, I guess Secret and I got our wish!!

You have to agree that coffee is good, coffee is great, etc to post here though hehe., and probably like pie.

Yes, this is NOT about bashing cars and their drivers, people can get that a bunch of places. This is about the practical HOW TO of living car free. After all the jokes and yuks and vitriol is done, what people mainly want to know is how to get 2 bags of groceries home on a bike etc.

I haven't posted in awhile but this forum looks interesting and appears to match my cycling style which I would define as for transportation or going places. I have been car-free for a number of years now,long enough that cars or driver's attitudes don't really bother me anymore (as long as I don't have to drive or ride in one lol)even though I often cycle in congested areas of SoFl .I usually walk for transportation if the distance is 5-8 miles or less and bike for longer distances as when I get on a bike I have a hard time riding just 5-8 miles and stopping lol.When necessary I have developed the ability to walk 30+ miles or bike 130+ miles.

Great idea for a forum. Gave up my car years ago, and I have no regrets, except........
1] I miss cruising on garbage pickup night.
2] Shopping can be a drag, although I have adjusted.
3] It makes dating tricky, as I live in the suburbs.

Just discovered this sub-forum. Awesome idea!!!

My goal is to live car-free. Although I'm not there yet, I'm moving closer to that goal everyday.

My wife, who doesn't drive (she was raised in NYC) is a waitress and just got an awesome new job ten miles away where it's a straight shot on the bus. She walks one block to catch the bus and takes the same bus right to the doorstep of the place, not having to change busses downtown. It takes her half the time to get there, although the actual distance is a little longer than her previous job. The bus going home stops only five houses away from ours. Yea!

Our only car was wrecked three months ago. It's still driveable but that's another incentive not to drive it unless I absolutely have to. I bicycle seven miles to work and run errands by bike. I rode 425 miles in May just commuting and running errands, not including "fun" rides (although they're all fun!).

My goal is to live car-free. Although I'm not there yet, I'm moving closer to that goal everyday.



Me, too. I'm unable to commute to work by bike more than a couple of times a month. All the logistics (baby wipes, getting up early, bringing extra clothes to work, etc.) are just too daunting for me at this point.

For now, I'm aiming to use the bike for all my local errands after work and on weekends. In other words, I'm using the car only for getting to work and back. Bike for everything else. I'm looking forward to learning tips and tricks from all of you. Grocery store, drugstore, library: All easy enough by bike. I want to set up a bike that will transport the cat and dog to the vet and bring the lumber home from the Home Despot. Thinking seriously about the Xtracycle.

Anyway, glad this forum is here.

This is exactly the forum I have been waiting for. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I believe most of us that live car free are probably the extreme minority in our respective localities. It will be nice having a forum to speak with others of similar lifestyle/disposition and share hints and suggestions.
No car bashing.....now that's going to be a toughie, but I'll give it a shot.

.
No car bashing.....now that's going to be a toughie, but I'll give it a shot.

Don't worry. We're here to set you straight just in case.... ;)

Glad you can enjoy the forums a little bit more now.

Koffee

I have one question, why is this in Advocacy & Safety?

Living car free means you commute everywhere you go. This should be in commuting, I cant think of anything that would make it fit in Advocacy & Safety

cause living without a car is more than just "commuting". commuting denotes that you use your bike to get to and from work. car free means you use your car to get to work, the store, the movies, the doctors office etc.. i think this section is in advocay because living car free goes farther than just commuting.

ok, so i was the first to request a board of this kind. i was super excited to have a place to discuss car free issues in a dedicated space. but now i'm peeved. koffee is cool but has been way too psuedo authoritarian about this whole deal. "that kind of discussion is for advocacy" bla bla bla. thats why i wanted to post here in the first place-so i could talk about stuff like my dislike of car culture without the input of drivers defending their lifestyle. so now, i think thsi board os a farce. if we cant talk about more than the nuts and bolts then thats shennanigans. how do i delete my account from bikeforums

how do i delete my account from bikeforums

i think you're being childish, secret. thermodynamics will take care of car culture, probably within our lifetimes. meanwhile, >99% of adult north american bicyclists also drive. yes i think that's sad, but you're really not helping anything by venting your hatred of them or by being petulant.

Awesome forum!

I've been car-free for almost two years, but it's been easy because I'm in downtown LA so virtually everything I need is close and convenient.

The one big problem that I haven't solved is dating. Are there any other car-free singles in this forum? How do you get from the "I'll meet you there" phase to "I'll pick you up?" I've arranged some fun, romantic picnics and rides, which go over well once in a while, but at some point a car seems like a prerequisite for a relationship, especially if you're a guy.

I really like being car free and I walk alot more and drive my bike and myself further have a love/ hate relationship with snow ,got three bikes and a bike trailer and getting a singel speed too but I notice how serious the problem with cell phones and cagers is getting ,,They HAVE to do something it has to stop and major fines handed to peeps that drive cars whilst yaking on their cells...........

Hi Jacobino! I don't have good news for you. If you don't have a car, most ladies will think you're a bum. So either we concentrate on the exceptional women, or us single carless guys need to set up a special Porsche sharing program.

Or even better, we set up a Ferrari sharing program. Then we can all just imply it's in the shop all the time.

Hi Jacobino! I don't have good news for you. If you don't have a car, most ladies will think you're a bum. So either we concentrate on the exceptional women, or us single carless guys need to set up a special Porsche sharing program.
There are plenty PLENTY of awesome ladies that drive bikes out there that don't think a guy is a bum cause he don't have a four wheel destroy the planet cage

There are plenty PLENTY of awesome ladies that drive bikes out there that don't think a guy is a bum cause he don't have a four wheel destroy the planet cage
Yeah I'm just cruising this forum to pick up guys. I think car-free is hot!

Hi Jacobino! I don't have good news for you. If you don't have a car, most ladies will think you're a bum. So either we concentrate on the exceptional women, or us single carless guys need to set up a special Porsche sharing program.

Or even better, we set up a Ferrari sharing program. Then we can all just imply it's in the shop all the time.

Shoot. I don't drive. How can I expect some man to drive if I don't either? That would be bogus.

Koffee

nice addition, but I think Car Free would be a better sub forum of commuting. I started commuting to work and now am trying for car free. plus I don't like having to go through the "angry" forum to get here.

nice addition, but I think Car Free would be a better sub forum of commuting. I started commuting to work and now am trying for car free. plus I don't like having to go through the "angry" forum to get here.

What I did was subscribe to all the relevent forums (including this one), and use "User Control Panel" to access them. This lets me skip the intermediate forums, and go directly to the interesting stuff.

What I did was subscribe to all the relevent forums (including this one), and use "User Control Panel" to access them. This lets me skip the intermediate forums, and go directly to the interesting stuff.
That's a good point. I for one will be sure to do that. It seems that the bike advocacy forum is constantly combative and the commuting forum thinks you're a weenie if you're not on a purpose-built, thousand dollar whip and riding superfast™ . This forum is more my speed, that is the "lowball hybrid, riding to the post office in sandals" kind of speed. :p :D

===> Working on getting it moved.

Koffee

===> Working on getting it moved.

Koffee


And I, for one, appreciate it. I sometimes make the mistake of reading, and then posting, in the "angry" forum (I llke that name for it). If I can avoid it, all the better. I try not to read an angry thread again after I have posted in it. Some people thrive on that stuff, I don't, and I don't want another heart surgery before I manage to hit 40. :D

I also must say that I'm glad this forum has been started!!!

I've been car-free now(100%) for 3 years. The 3 years prior to that I had a car but it was broken down about 80% of the time.

So.....what are we going to discuss here? Other than the fact that we are happy this forum exist.

peace,

Gabe

....what are we going to discuss here? Other than the fact that we are happy this forum exist...

One's transportation choices seem to have major lifestyle implications, and that's a fascinating subject. Tips and tricks are also interesting. Living well without owning a car requires skills and know-how that take a while to develop.

I lost my car over fifteen years ago and have been cycling everywhere ever since. I go grocery shopping, to the bank, work, everywhere. A lot of people have given me crap for not having a car, but lately with the price of gas they are starting to point to me saying, "Now that's the way to do it."

My current bike is a Giant Sedona. I've had her now for just over two years and I love her (yes I refer to my Sedona as a "she"). I bought some saddle bags a while back for carrying groceries and etc. I keep a bike kit under the seat with tools, spare repair kit, etc. I don't really have any tricks to share accept that I take my bike into the bike shop here (its called Rock 'n' Road) to get her overhauled twice a year - once in the spring and once more in the fall. In between I will stop in there to get the chain, gears, cables, and tires checked. Regular maintenance has kept me on the road cycling happy.

:) dc

Thank you Koffee for moving this into it's own section. Much appreciated.

I live in the Southern California area. I have been car free by both choice and necessary (financial) reasons since I learned to drive (I hope just having a driver's license does not disqualify me from this forum). I am happy to not participate in and contribute to the mad rush that defines Los Angeles' world famous car dependance and even addiction.

Lately I have been pressured into car ownership by a force not apparent for a reason for car ownership. My father is more ill now and appears at first to need a car to get around. He cannot fit on a bike for obvious reasons and I almost caved in. I discovered that there are programs even in L.A. that supports alternatives to car ownership (like taxicab vouchers) which makes my chosen lifestyle practical. It takes a little more time to find ways around car ownership but the rewards are there in means that I have least expected.

Good luck in development of this forum. I look foward in contributing to it whenever I can and have something interesting to write about.

Thank you Koffee for moving this into it's own section. Much appreciated.

Thank me for nagging the other admins... ;)

Koffee

Thinking seriously about the Xtracycle.


The Xtracycle is absolutely the greatest & worth every cent. I was skeptical when my fiance suggested it (we already had 2 trailers & panniers), but it outperformed all of them. It was our getaway vehicle for our wedding, carries all sorts of funky-sized cargo and is just plain fun.

I would seriously consider building up a touring bike w/an extracycle for long trips.

Oh, only one caveat --you need to be a social person for the Xtracycle...everybody wants to talk w/ya about it.

...since this forum is not about car bashing...

Koffee

Can we bash Hummers?

Seriously though, I only found this forum when it got its own home. As a non-car owner for almost a decade, I love the idea. I rent cars, I get rides with friends, and visitors always have a space to park.

The Xtracycle is absolutely the greatest & worth every cent. I was skeptical when my fiance suggested it (we already had 2 trailers & panniers), but it outperformed all of them. It was our getaway vehicle for our wedding, carries all sorts of funky-sized cargo and is just plain fun.

I would seriously consider building up a touring bike w/an extracycle for long trips.

Oh, only one caveat --you need to be a social person for the Xtracycle...everybody wants to talk w/ya about it.

I bought one of those Xtracycles (the free radical attachment) a couple of years ago but found that I didn't need that kind of carrying capacity all the time. One pannier usually does it for me and I have a BOB if the load demands it. I don't regret the purchase at all because it's not like it's rotting in my closet and I like to support innovative ideas. One day I might find a frame for cheap and I'll put it to use. I kind of picture a "parade bike" that is FUN FUN FUN....

I learned about the Xtracycle from BikeForums; I have hopes that this new forum will be a good one.

Chuckie
(car-free for two and half years and counting)

I bought one of those Xtracycles (the free radical attachment) a couple of years ago but found that I didn't need that kind of carrying capacity all the time. One pannier usually does it for me and I have a BOB if the load demands it. I don't regret the purchase at all because it's not like it's rotting in my closet and I like to support innovative ideas. One day I might find a frame for cheap and I'll put it to use. I kind of picture a "parade bike" that is FUN FUN FUN....

I learned about the Xtracycle from BikeForums; I have hopes that this new forum will be a good one.

Chuckie
(car-free for two and half years and counting)


Well, if this forum turns to crap, let me know so we can make some changes for ya. ;)

Koffee

So does anyone here have a dress code at work? Mine is pretty flexible, though they
say they expect business casual. Do you take extra clothes in a back-pack (those of
you with similar dress expectations at work)? ....and shoes too?
What about snowy conditions. I recently moved up north and have not had to deal with
snowy conditions. For that matter, rainy conditions....do you have a rain suit? Any
recommendations?
I'm not bike free, but would like to get at least 50% of the way there.

I've been car free by necessity for the past four years. I was in the middle of a career change and without a job, there was no way I could keep a used vehicle that was breaking down every three to four months. In fact, I was close to bankruptcy and buying groceries with credit cards using one to pay for the other. That car drained all my savings and had me living paycheck to paycheck. I had no idea the power of commuter tains or lightrail and like many really believed you could only travel via motor transport. When the car was taken away, it was the saddest day of my life. The car was given to me by my father and it was his only possession of value. I really believed that I was doomed to spend the rest of my life using buses and no longer being able to visit the burbs or go anywhere interesting. I was stuck living in a five mile radius of my home.

Once employed, I decided to move where a lightrail was running every 15 minutes. I just can't believe how this system changed my life. Seriously. It's become a toy that I use two or three times a day for work, mall shopping and bike rides during the weekends. I like the system so much, I even stopped bike commuting to work five miles each day because the train is safer, much more comfortable since it rides on smooth rails and totally stress free. I estimate the system carries me over 420 miles each month for only $53.00 dollars. An incredible bargain.

My advice is simple. Locate a city or town that has lightrail service. New lines are opening all the time and word is spreading that lightrail brings economic prosperity where ever they are constructed. I've seen this in my town as homes along the lightrail line went up in value over 30% once the station opened. In Houston, a lightrail was constructed in this car town not long ago and it became the most successful in all the nation. I've seen a lightrail constructed in the middle of nowhere in South Jersey and now it's attracting tens of millions in new development in a neighborhood that's practically a slum! Go to the web site (www.lightrailnow.com) and see how this new method of transportation can make you car free and maybe even bike free!!! ;-)

Speaking of bicycles, I have to thank Paul Dorn and Mike Hessey (folding society) for educating me about the power and enjoyment of human transporation machines.

These are the steps I used to become car free.

1. Locate lightrail.
2. Find new job at the end of line
3. Move to the other end of the line where it's less expensive
4. Sell car and give the buyer your condolences. ;-)

Here is the new forum for car free living. Feel free to discuss your car free concerns here... but keep in mind, this is NOT the forum for discussion about multi-use paths, arguing about your problems with cars, SUV's etc. or to flame people who drive. It's the spot for people to discuss getting around without cars, utility trailers, living without the car, etc. Any topics that deviate beyond the spirit of the forum will be moved out into their proper forums.

Enjoy.

Koffee Brown

here is a car free issue, i think. something to look out for.
recently my primary care clinic outsourced its lab and x-ray work. typically i don't need these things, but this week i stepped on a nail. i called and asked exactly how far away is the clinic that does the x-ray to make sure all the nail was out. they said only a few minutes don't worry. i said "i am on a bike so i need it to be with in five miles not only because my foot hurts to bike, but time". so, i get the refereal and it is in Edina. a suburb onf MPLS. about 20 miles away. not far when you are not ill'in.
So, i have now found a clinic that has all the essentials, a full lab, x-ray, and a few specialty doctors. I guess I had never thought about a primary care clinic not being able to draw blood for a simple blood test or an x-ray. but being car free this is now something for me to think about. and maybe others in choosing a clinic or watching how their clinic maybe changing. i made at least 15 phone calls before i found a clinic that had what i needed.
have others run into this?
i have been reading in different publications related to HR that talk about clinics outsourcing those services. I don't think they realize how that can affect someone without a car.

Hello-
I am new to these forums, and I'm hoping I've picked the right place to post this...
I have lived car free for going on 23 years. Yes. A miracle...or an empty wallet.
Either way, I live in a major metro area, and it's not so bad- I really enjoy biking, even on
my $100 clunker.
But my commutes are getting wider and the buses are becoming...irregular.
So I want to go faster, of course...but about 50% of the time I lug my 41" tall 3 1/2 year old
behind me- so no scooters in my future.
I am thinking about getting a basic commuting bike (no trail riding here) and adding a pedal assist kit.
Anyone with any ideas for lightweight bikes under $300?

Thanks!

Rachunaj -- Welcome! It'll be good to have a mmber with so much experience.

Cheap bikes? Check out some of the threads here, or start a new thread. I would consider used, especially if you know enough about bikes to spot a good deal.

I have been posting mostly in the "Commuting" forum...

But I realize I should be visiting here as well...
You see, I have not even started either of my 2 vehicles since June of this year. Which is pretty tough, one is a 2004 FatBoy Harley Davidson. I gave up driving when the price of gas was 2.00 per Gallon... now it is over 3.00.

It is tough some days to go shopping and such, but I manage. I keep a bungie cord in my pannier at all times. Oh bet you guessed I ride with a pannier too... at least the left side one... when I need more supplies I put on both.

My bike is a 1994 Trek 7000 MTB, I put Conti Town & Country Tires on it (1.9 width). thing flys down the road. I have been seriously thinking what it would be like on one of those very light road bikes.

I will always ride this ole' trek...

Well if you really want to impress the right kind of woman, add an Xtracycle to your mountain bike, put Footsies on it and a tandem stoker handlebar on your seatpost and pedal her to dinner and movies. (Providing she weighs less than the Xtracycle's 200 lb. limit).

And if you have to go very far or up steep hills, add a Stokemonkey from www.cleverchimp.com.

Heck I've even seen a photo online of a bride sitting side-saddle on an Xtracycle with the groom pedalling away from the church, tin cans and all.

WAY more exclusive than a Porshche! She WILL remember you.

Hey everyone! Thanks Koffee for putting this thread together! I want to bounce a question off of Y'all... I have a recumbent, and a trailer for most of my riding and errands, but I'm thinking of getting a mountain bike for the versatility, Riding in grass, over curbs, ETC... The question is this: What's the best all around car-free set up? Thanks for sharing. Peace, Ritz.

WWW.TOURDEPANTS.COM :eek:

Hey everyone! Thanks Koffee for putting this thread together! I want to bounce a question off of Y'all... I have a recumbent, and a trailer for most of my riding and errands, but I'm thinking of getting a mountain bike for the versatility, Riding in grass, over curbs, ETC... The question is this: What's the best all around car-free set up? Thanks for sharing. Peace, Ritz.

My ideal set up for total freedom of movement without a car is this:

- A $50 old Walmart-style beater with lots of rack space and bags to get the groceries and go to work
- A Brompton for any cycling that involves taking the train or flying
- A bent for long-distance touring
- A cross-country mountain bike for heavy off-road and mixed on- and off-road touring

The absolute necessity for me is the former 2 (the beater and the Brompton): I just couldn't live without them. The latter 2 (bent and MTB) are for fun, and I could do without the MTB easily, but I'd be very sad without my bent for sure. 4 bikes aren't cheap (apart the beater) but I recouped the cost quickly and easily with what I saved on gas, insurance, parking, etc...

Cool, it seems I'm on the right track. With a $99.00 Wal*Mart "Mountain Bike" (That's my beater) already in my arsenal, and a Sun Recumbent as my daily ride, I think I'm headed in the right direction. I also have the Child / Cargo trailer (Good for a hundred pounds of stuff). Now, a folder and a decent MTB, and I'll be set! Thank You! Peace, Ritz.

WWW.TOURDEPANTS.COM :eek: