i would actually like an outlet for those kinds of opinions, though. the depave the world and critical massers have valid points and deserve an arena to voice them. someone who uses a bicycle from that point of view is definitely not a "commuter".

I would argue that is more of an advocacy issue. I would like to keep the car free section as ideology free is possible. Some people are car free for practical reasons, and don't want to get involved in the war. I could use some practical advice and discussion though.

the thing is, for a lot of people who go totally car free ideology or politics is as much a part of it as anything else. theres tons of practical stuff to discuss but for many the reasons behind being carfree will influence how they discuss the nuts and bolts. not to mention much of literature about being car free is political in nature

maybe, rather than having a subsection in commuting, have an entire section to discuss all aspects of car free living. kind of like the alt bike culture board. by all apsects i mean the nuts and bolts practicalities of going and living car free, the reasons for doing it, and other info supporting or detracting.

I like the idea, anyone want to come up with a 25 - 30 word description of the "car free" forum?

MAn you guys are good! to get joe master joe convinced takes alot of work, especially making a new thread!

who nelly! i'll give it a try-
This forum is to discuss all apsects of living life to the fullest...car free. Learn the nuts and bolts of life without a car, from biycyle dates to grocery shopping.

i dont know about that one. thats a lot of pressure. you all coudl do better. i need a drink.

Did you give up your car for good? Is your bike and public transportation the only way you travel from point A to point B? If your only mode of transportation is your bike, this forum is the place to discuss your car-free lifestyle.

Koffee

i like koffee's. thats way cool

Another vote for a car-free section.

I suspect there's a lot of people lurking--like me--on this board who only use their car a few times a month, and are contemplating car-free living...or a least getting rid of 1 car in a 2 car family. Maybe with enough tips and moral support, you guys might convince us to make the switch.

Besides going shopping (bags) and on a romantic date (tandem) what more can there be to discuss? Realistically, everybody is, was, or will be care free. Its not that rare or challenging....unless you are a kid an never had to get to work in the morning. What am I missing here?

Everyone is, was, or will ride a bike at some point. What could be the use of a bike forum? Discussing dorky shorts? You just move your feet around until you stop. That's all there is to it.

But seriously, it's precisely because it's not rare that it would be worth a separate section. You touched on some potential issues that would come up. There are plenty of others. Dealing with jobs that require you to own a car for no good reason. Trailers. Moving furniture. Insurance. (as I recently learned) Pros/cons of having a drivers license. I'm sure there are countless other and better subjects that would be appropriate too.

I think if we combine both, we get a good description. It's a little more than the 25 words, but well described:


Did you give up your car for good? Is your bike and public transportation the only way you travel from point A to point B? If your only mode of transportation is your bike, discuss your car-free lifestyle here. Learn the nuts and bolts of life without a car, from biycyle dates and grocery shopping, to commuting.

How does that sound, SecretSatellite?

Koffee

i'll never take a tandem on a date. dont like em. theres so many different ways to to move stuff on a bike theres loads to discuss. home made bike carts and stuff. and the reasons behind it all. a space to discuss car free living without the attendant arguments about car free living that erupt.

I think this all sounds great. Lets get a car-free section!

Well, find out when the forum gets off the ground!

Koffee

Right on I am in and will give it a go ,, I sold the car in Sept 2004 and have biked to work for about 20 odd years all year round in Toronto I also bought a bike trailer to get shopping and Xmass presents , here is a pic of the trailer with my cargo bike

I'm also car free, this would be a nice addtion for this fourm.

Good Luck,
GEEK

theres a thread in commuting called "anyone not own a car". this is an example of someone wanting to discuss living without a car and the discussion turning into an argument. bicyclists who drive post to that thread validating their car use and calling into question carlessness. why cant they leave well enough alone. every thread about car free issues gets turned into this.

we have some bike clubs and groups here in Toronto and they do all these big rides and go on about how great the bike is and how it is the way to go but alot drive to the locations with thier bikes then do the rides , I see them in the parking lots taking off or putting bikes on racks instead of riding the bike there ,,and I agree with your comments so how about we just get their posts deleted and keep it car free if we keep on top of it this could work out ??

Once this forum does get up and going, the mods will be checking in to ensure it doesn't turn into some car-hatin', 2 wheels good, four wheels bad kind of forum. ;)

Koffee

i just dont like when someone says something about being car free or against cars for wahtever reason, people who drive descend on the thread and it turns into the same argument again and again. by the way, i liked koffee's 2nd synopsis. ist rad.(german)

Well, if you meant "it's rad", then it's english. ;)

Koffee

no, i meant "ist". like the pavement t-shirt "pavement ist rad" maybe its not german but its way cool

i forgot the umlaut