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Living Car Free Do you live car free or car light? Do you prefer to use alternative transportation (bicycles, walking, other human-powered or public transportation) for everyday activities whenever possible? Discuss your lifestyle here.

No license no car and loving it.

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Old 03-10-09, 05:34 PM
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No license no car and loving it.

About two months ago i got in a really bad car wreck. I almost died and was in the hospital for 9 days with a skull fracture and bleeding on the brain.I rolled the car and was really lucky to come out alive. I caused all this because i drank to much and couldn't put down the bottle. Before the accident i had bought a road bike to get back in shape and to try and cut back on how much i drive. The accident caused me to lose my license and really forced me to learn how to live without knowing i can just hop in the car to get somewhere real fast. I still get rides to places but im waiting on the whether to change so i can start riding more. I just thought wanted to share the what happened with some car free people who would appreciate it.
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Old 03-10-09, 05:46 PM
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I'm glad to see you're viewing the loss of your license in a good way. I doubt many Americans would look at it as positively as you. I'm also glad to see you survived your accident. Wow, that sounds like a bad one!
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Old 03-10-09, 06:45 PM
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you're lucky you didn't hurt anyone else.
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Old 03-11-09, 08:45 AM
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I had too many minor car accidents to count - nobody ever got hurt, but my cars mostly had dents, and I once put my work van in a ditch. It took me a long time to admit that maybe some of those accidents may perhaps have been, to a tiny degree, not entirely of course, but a little bit, my fault.

I still have my licence, I only got points once for speeding, and those have now expired. But I made a decision not to drive any more, and I haven't missed it at all. I'm happier, healthier, my finances are in better shape, and I don't have a sense of crushing guilt every time I travel.
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Old 03-11-09, 10:50 AM
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Originally Posted by hockey4mnhs
About two months ago i got in a really bad car wreck. I almost died and was in the hospital for 9 days with a skull fracture and bleeding on the brain.I rolled the car and was really lucky to come out alive. I caused all this because i drank to much and couldn't put down the bottle. Before the accident i had bought a road bike to get back in shape and to try and cut back on how much i drive. The accident caused me to lose my license and really forced me to learn how to live without knowing i can just hop in the car to get somewhere real fast. I still get rides to places but im waiting on the whether to change so i can start riding more. I just thought wanted to share the what happened with some car free people who would appreciate it.
I'm glad that you survived, and nobody else was hurt. Best wisnes on your continuing recovery.

My stepson, Jerry, was in a serious accident a few years ago. He also almost died and was in the hospital for many weeks. He still has serious problems from the accident--surgery a month ago, and he'll need a hip replacement before long. The whole experience has been hell for him, and also for me.

I don't understand why our society accepts the fatalities and serious injuries that go along with driving cars. Almost 40,000 Americans die in accidents every year, and hundreds of thousands worldwide. I guess that cars are so fun and convenient that it's OK that thousands of people are hurt and killed.
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Old 03-11-09, 11:29 AM
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Originally Posted by Roody
I don't understand why our society accepts the fatalities and serious injuries that go along with driving cars.
The death of one is a tragedy.

I always thought Marylin Manson came up with that...
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Old 03-11-09, 11:48 AM
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Originally Posted by rbrian
The death of one is a tragedy.

I always thought Marylin Manson came up with that...:
rolleyes:
Well that Joe Stalin really had a way with words too.
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Old 03-11-09, 03:41 PM
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Yeah i was so happy i did not hit anyone that was such a good feeling to hear that once i woke up. Thanks for all the support, it helps to know im not the only one riding a bike and liking it.
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Old 03-12-09, 02:25 AM
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The OP's story is repeated every hour of the day. You can just look at the sky and if there's a rain cloud above, a driver somewhere will pay with their life.
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Old 03-12-09, 04:41 PM
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That's great you started riding more, but it's unfortunate given the circumstances. I hope you can overcome your substance problem(if you have one). best of luck! stay safe!
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Old 03-13-09, 09:49 PM
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Originally Posted by hockey4mnhs
About two months ago i got in a really bad car wreck. I almost died and was in the hospital for 9 days with a skull fracture and bleeding on the brain.I rolled the car and was really lucky to come out alive. I caused all this because i drank to much and couldn't put down the bottle. Before the accident i had bought a road bike to get back in shape and to try and cut back on how much i drive. The accident caused me to lose my license and really forced me to learn how to live without knowing i can just hop in the car to get somewhere real fast. I still get rides to places but im waiting on the whether to change so i can start riding more. I just thought wanted to share the what happened with some car free people who would appreciate it.
I am glad you are learning the reality of the impact of DUI in a good way. Hopefully you will not repeat the same dumb mistake again, and I wish you the best of luck in your new car-free life of cycling.
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Old 03-13-09, 10:15 PM
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Originally Posted by watersyrup
you're lucky you didn't hurt anyone else.
How did you know no one else was hurt?
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Old 03-14-09, 02:01 PM
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Originally Posted by roody
i'm glad that you survived, and nobody else was hurt. Best wisnes on your continuing recovery.
I don't understand why our society accepts the fatalities and serious injuries that go along with driving cars. Almost 40,000 americans die in accidents every year, and hundreds of thousands worldwide. I guess that cars are so fun and convenient that it's ok that thousands of people are hurt and killed.
+1
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Old 03-14-09, 02:09 PM
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Good for you. Whenever i do something stupid, or something that has very bad consequences, I try to keep in mind, that from this point forward, I can live my life as a better person then I was the day before. I hope you continue to take this experience as a catalyst to a positive change in your life. I wish you luck.
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Old 03-14-09, 02:29 PM
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ever since I ditched the car and started biking I become more aware of how dangerous cars really are. Glad to hear you are ok.
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Old 03-14-09, 02:48 PM
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I have had clients with more than one DUI and they still feel they have a right to drive a car. I wish more people realize that perhaps they should not drink and drive. A couple of my client would benefit greatly from riding a bike to where ever they needed to go so they could lose some weight.
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Old 03-16-09, 03:13 PM
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So your a lawyer i take it? I think im going to become one any advice with school?
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Old 03-17-09, 01:07 PM
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Originally Posted by hockey4mnhs
About two months ago I got in a really bad car wreck. I almost died and was in the hospital for 9 days with a skull fracture and bleeding on the brain. I rolled the car and was really lucky to come out alive. I caused all this because I drank to much and couldn't put down the bottle. Before the accident I had bought a road bike to get back in shape and to try and cut back on how much i drive. The accident caused me to lose my license and really forced me to learn how to live without knowing i can just hop in the car to get somewhere real fast. I still get rides to places but im waiting on the whether to change so i can start riding more. I just thought wanted to share the what happened with some car free people who would appreciate it.
You can see it from both sides. Your perspective is unique.

In one sense, I experienced the same thing. While I have never driven, I have taken public transportation. I take it far less than I used to. The only times I do, is when, the weather is not good for biking.

Just to go on a bike ride, with the region's biggest bicycle club, I will bike, 25-40mi., just to get to the bike ride. I won't take public transportation to get there.
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