Living car free with young children?
01-13-10, 09:02 AM
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Living car free with young children?
Hello all,
I was wondering if anyone on here lives car free and has young children. I am curious as to how you go about your daily business...like getting groceries, going to doctor's appointments and making long-ish trips to go visit relatives. What kind of bike are you using? Or are you almost forced to live car-lite?
Thanks for the help.
I was wondering if anyone on here lives car free and has young children. I am curious as to how you go about your daily business...like getting groceries, going to doctor's appointments and making long-ish trips to go visit relatives. What kind of bike are you using? Or are you almost forced to live car-lite?
Thanks for the help.
01-13-10, 10:37 AM
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I don't have a family and kids myself, but I gather it can be done (provided you define "car free" as not owning a motor vehicle, rather than never ever using a motor vehicle at all). No doubt it will depend on where you live, where you work, etc. You'd probably want a serious cargo bike for grocery shopping and kiddie hauling.
Here's the blog of a family that's gone car-free: https://longwalktogreen.blogspot.com/
Here's the blog of a family that's gone car-free: https://longwalktogreen.blogspot.com/
01-13-10, 12:37 PM
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Just as a thought remember there are times kids need to get to the doctor rather quickly and not having a car at all can make those times tense. My son had asthma and there were several after midnight runs to the ER so calling a taxi wasn’t practical. At the time we did all of our shopping by bicycle and I had even made a trailer for our boy. Once he started school things got more complicated. But Doctors appointments, work transfers, after school events and things like that made keeping a car seem prudent. However I can’t picture my wife after about 5 months of pregnancy riding a bike anywhere.
But people do what they have to do so it can be done. I have been to countries where they don’t have any options.
But people do what they have to do so it can be done. I have been to countries where they don’t have any options.
01-13-10, 12:48 PM
#4
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Just as a thought remember there are times kids need to get to the doctor rather quickly and not having a car at all can make those times tense. My son had asthma and there were several after midnight runs to the ER so calling a taxi wasn’t practical. At the time we did all of our shopping by bicycle and I had even made a trailer for our boy. Once he started school things got more complicated. But Doctors appointments, work transfers, after school events and things like that made keeping a car seem prudent. However I can’t picture my wife after about 5 months of pregnancy riding a bike anywhere.
But people do what they have to do so it can be done. I have been to countries where they don’t have any options.
But people do what they have to do so it can be done. I have been to countries where they don’t have any options.
I once hd to take my grown son to the ER at about 3 AM (urgent but not emergent). I explained the situation to the dispatcher and the cab was there within a few minutes. While we were en route, the driver called ahead and had a wheelchair waiting at the ER entrance. The driver even gave me his cell phone number asnd said not to worry about the return fare because he understood that people often don't have cash on hand for these emergency runs. I did have the cash, so I not only paid the return fare, but gave him a huge tip. I will never forget his efficiency and kindness.
BTW, for a common occurrence like a kid with asthma attacks, I certainly can see why a private car would be worthwhile. I'm just saying that the taxi is a viable option for urgent runs to the hospital. IOf course the experts are always telling us that it's best to call an ambulance for real medical emergencies.
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01-13-10, 06:05 PM
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We used taxi's for the emergency runs, normal doctor appointments were handled by either walking or using a bike trailer. We were not car free, but very car light. We also lived near our work, hospital, doctor's offices and groceries. All were within a 3 mile radius of the apartment. The one time I needed a taxi was because I was home with both children, ages at the time were 5 months and 22 months. Wife had the car and was out of town for the weekend. DS managed to shove most of a Lego man up his nose and get it lodged in his sinus while I was changing his sister. I have no clue where he got the durned thing, he kept saying the name of one of the older kids that lived in our complex so all I could figure was that he gave it to him or left it where he could get a hold of it. Called the pediatrician and she said to meet her at the emergency room at the hospital about 1.5 miles away. So called the taxi and off we went.
Aaron
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
01-13-10, 07:14 PM
#6
In the right lane
We used taxi's for the emergency runs, normal doctor appointments were handled by either walking or using a bike trailer. We were not car free, but very car light. We also lived near our work, hospital, doctor's offices and groceries. All were within a 3 mile radius of the apartment. The one time I needed a taxi was because I was home with both children, ages at the time were 5 months and 22 months. Wife had the car and was out of town for the weekend. DS managed to shove most of a Lego man up his nose and get it lodged in his sinus while I was changing his sister. I have no clue where he got the durned thing, he kept saying the name of one of the older kids that lived in our complex so all I could figure was that he gave it to him or left it where he could get a hold of it. Called the pediatrician and she said to meet her at the emergency room at the hospital about 1.5 miles away. So called the taxi and off we went.
Aaron
Aaron
Last edited by gerv; 01-13-10 at 07:15 PM. Reason: side note
01-13-10, 08:12 PM
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I'm in a one-car, one-kid (8 months) family, and I'd have to agree with the opinions above that occasional (even emergency) car use can be handled well with taxis, or car-shares, or even renting on occasion. It's the day-to-day driving that's much harder to eliminate, without significant lifestyle changes.
Most of our driving is on those day-to-day errands. For the moment, Junior is too small to fit a helmet--in a jurisdiction with a mandatory helmet law, we can't really use our bikes for any trip involving Junior until he's older. With bikes out of the equation for now, we either drive, take transit, or walk. And transit or walking add an extra hour, minimum, to most trips from our house, apart from the all-too-few destinations we can get to from the nearest bus route without a transfer (fortunately, my workplace is one of them).
Of course, this situation is mostly our fault, for buying a house in a 1960s-era single-detached suburban development
. But it has exactly the attributes a lot of people at my age and stage look for in a house--it's close to the freeway, has low traffic, large lots, is very quiet, very safe, has an elementary school just down the street, and a large park is visible from our backyard. If we wanted to buy near a major transit hub, then living car-free would be more practical, but any property we would be able to afford would lose some (or all) of the attributes listed above*. You just can't carry very much extra mortgage interest with the amount of money we spend keeping our (t)rusty old '95 Corolla on the road.
*(edit: I wouldn't really miss living near the freeway that much. Of course, depending on where we'd move to, I might find I miss living right next to one of the few bicycle-friendly routes across the damn thing)
Most of our driving is on those day-to-day errands. For the moment, Junior is too small to fit a helmet--in a jurisdiction with a mandatory helmet law, we can't really use our bikes for any trip involving Junior until he's older. With bikes out of the equation for now, we either drive, take transit, or walk. And transit or walking add an extra hour, minimum, to most trips from our house, apart from the all-too-few destinations we can get to from the nearest bus route without a transfer (fortunately, my workplace is one of them).
Of course, this situation is mostly our fault, for buying a house in a 1960s-era single-detached suburban development
. But it has exactly the attributes a lot of people at my age and stage look for in a house--it's close to the freeway, has low traffic, large lots, is very quiet, very safe, has an elementary school just down the street, and a large park is visible from our backyard. If we wanted to buy near a major transit hub, then living car-free would be more practical, but any property we would be able to afford would lose some (or all) of the attributes listed above*. You just can't carry very much extra mortgage interest with the amount of money we spend keeping our (t)rusty old '95 Corolla on the road.*(edit: I wouldn't really miss living near the freeway that much. Of course, depending on where we'd move to, I might find I miss living right next to one of the few bicycle-friendly routes across the damn thing)
Last edited by jefferee; 01-13-10 at 08:15 PM.
01-13-10, 09:23 PM
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We've got 2 kids (9 and 6) and have been car free since before they were born. We live in a city so when they were babies we mostly carted them around on the bus if the destination was too far to just walk. The middle of the night runs to the hospital for labor and colic were made by taxi. Normal dental and doctor appoints are made by bus, walking, or car share depending on the location.
Grocery shopping when the oldest was a baby was accomplished by walking. She hung out on my front and the backpack full of groceries was on my back. I got a lot of comments, and a lot of weight bearing exercise. These day I (or the husband) just pick up groceries on the way home from work. I hop off the bus, run in for a quick shopping trip, then head back out to catch the bus home. We do that with most of our errands, doing them to and from work. If we aren't working on a grocery day, one or all of us will bike to the grocery with a trailer.
We added biking to our regular transportation mix when the kids were 3 and 6. They love it, but generally our trips with them are under 8 miles total. I think my oldest could go further, but the 6 year old isn't quite up to more than that.
Grocery shopping when the oldest was a baby was accomplished by walking. She hung out on my front and the backpack full of groceries was on my back. I got a lot of comments, and a lot of weight bearing exercise.
These day I (or the husband) just pick up groceries on the way home from work. I hop off the bus, run in for a quick shopping trip, then head back out to catch the bus home. We do that with most of our errands, doing them to and from work. If we aren't working on a grocery day, one or all of us will bike to the grocery with a trailer.We added biking to our regular transportation mix when the kids were 3 and 6. They love it, but generally our trips with them are under 8 miles total. I think my oldest could go further, but the 6 year old isn't quite up to more than that.
01-14-10, 01:06 AM
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Good post, but I wonder why you say the taxi wasn't an option for a midnight run to the ER. The cabs here run 24 hours.
I once hd to take my grown son to the ER at about 3 AM (urgent but not emergent). I explained the situation to the dispatcher and the cab was there within a few minutes. While we were en route, the driver called ahead and had a wheelchair waiting at the ER entrance. The driver even gave me his cell phone number asnd said not to worry about the return fare because he understood that people often don't have cash on hand for these emergency runs. I did have the cash, so I not only paid the return fare, but gave him a huge tip. I will never forget his efficiency and kindness.
BTW, for a common occurrence like a kid with asthma attacks, I certainly can see why a private car would be worthwhile. I'm just saying that the taxi is a viable option for urgent runs to the hospital. IOf course the experts are always telling us that it's best to call an ambulance for real medical emergencies.
I once hd to take my grown son to the ER at about 3 AM (urgent but not emergent). I explained the situation to the dispatcher and the cab was there within a few minutes. While we were en route, the driver called ahead and had a wheelchair waiting at the ER entrance. The driver even gave me his cell phone number asnd said not to worry about the return fare because he understood that people often don't have cash on hand for these emergency runs. I did have the cash, so I not only paid the return fare, but gave him a huge tip. I will never forget his efficiency and kindness.
BTW, for a common occurrence like a kid with asthma attacks, I certainly can see why a private car would be worthwhile. I'm just saying that the taxi is a viable option for urgent runs to the hospital. IOf course the experts are always telling us that it's best to call an ambulance for real medical emergencies.
I have been, at times, car free in my life but all of that was before I was married. Once I got married my wife and family moved to the top of my list of important things and became the driving force in what I did and why I did it. That includes where we lived and where I worked and how far I would go for a promotion.
Now it is just my wife and I and once again we are car light. I had 8k miles cycling last year and less than 5k on my car. With the sorry state of public transportation in my State it is unlikely I will be car free in the near future. With the sorry state of our economy it is equally unlikely that I will move in the near future either. Besides I like the weather here too much.
01-14-10, 01:24 AM
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For us, the decision to buy a car again (after two years) was not for the day-to-day driving, which could be done by bike and bus, but the weekend family outing to the countryside, where bus service is limited (you can actually get to a lot of places by bus, but there are many nice places you can't).
A car share might have worked for us (some friends of ours do this), but buying a car was a better option.
Nevertheless, to the OP: if you want to do it, it can be done. And look into car sharing.
A car share might have worked for us (some friends of ours do this), but buying a car was a better option.
Nevertheless, to the OP: if you want to do it, it can be done. And look into car sharing.
01-14-10, 12:15 PM
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This is an interesting question as my partner and I are both car-free and living in Toronto currently. We would like to have children. In Toronto, it would be easy being car-free because in addition to bicycles there is excellent 24-hour public transit, easy access to taxis, buses, trains, rental cars, and car-sharing programs (which we feel we would not need).
BUT we plan to relocate to somewhere smaller. One of the places we are considering is Hornby island, BC with population 1000. The place we are looking at would be about 5 km to the general store or doctor. But it is 11 km to the ferry terminal to get off the island, which only gets us to another island of population 1000, and it would be another 11 km to get off that island, and then 25 km to the nearest city.
There is also no public transit on either of the islands or taxi service. To be car-free aside from biking and have an emergency we would need to hitch a ride most likely. (apparently common on the islands though)
Another point is if we biked the 47 km to go on a shopping run in the city and pulled it back by cargo trailer the other 47 km, there is about a 15% grade to get away from the ferry terminal on the first island. I would assume we would need to go the 22 km (or have our own boat of some sort with folding bikes) to get to Vancouver island before being able to catch any kind of bus.
Obviously this will require some careful planning but do you think its doable for us to remain car-free? I mentioned to my partner wanting an SUV, and he looked at me as if I'd gone mad, only for me to mention a SUV in my mind was a Yubo Mondo
https://www.yubaride.com/
BUT we plan to relocate to somewhere smaller. One of the places we are considering is Hornby island, BC with population 1000. The place we are looking at would be about 5 km to the general store or doctor. But it is 11 km to the ferry terminal to get off the island, which only gets us to another island of population 1000, and it would be another 11 km to get off that island, and then 25 km to the nearest city.
There is also no public transit on either of the islands or taxi service. To be car-free aside from biking and have an emergency we would need to hitch a ride most likely. (apparently common on the islands though)
Another point is if we biked the 47 km to go on a shopping run in the city and pulled it back by cargo trailer the other 47 km, there is about a 15% grade to get away from the ferry terminal on the first island. I would assume we would need to go the 22 km (or have our own boat of some sort with folding bikes) to get to Vancouver island before being able to catch any kind of bus.
Obviously this will require some careful planning but do you think its doable for us to remain car-free? I mentioned to my partner wanting an SUV, and he looked at me as if I'd gone mad, only for me to mention a SUV in my mind was a Yubo Mondo
https://www.yubaride.com/
01-14-10, 03:05 PM
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I find totcycle.com to be inspirational. We have a newborn and bought an extra car to accommodate for the time being but once she is cycle ready I hope to cull the herd back down to one car.
01-15-10, 12:43 PM
#13
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This is an interesting question as my partner and I are both car-free and living in Toronto currently. We would like to have children. In Toronto, it would be easy being car-free because in addition to bicycles there is excellent 24-hour public transit, easy access to taxis, buses, trains, rental cars, and car-sharing programs (which we feel we would not need).
BUT we plan to relocate to somewhere smaller. One of the places we are considering is Hornby island, BC with population 1000. The place we are looking at would be about 5 km to the general store or doctor. But it is 11 km to the ferry terminal to get off the island, which only gets us to another island of population 1000, and it would be another 11 km to get off that island, and then 25 km to the nearest city.
There is also no public transit on either of the islands or taxi service. To be car-free aside from biking and have an emergency we would need to hitch a ride most likely. (apparently common on the islands though)
Another point is if we biked the 47 km to go on a shopping run in the city and pulled it back by cargo trailer the other 47 km, there is about a 15% grade to get away from the ferry terminal on the first island. I would assume we would need to go the 22 km (or have our own boat of some sort with folding bikes) to get to Vancouver island before being able to catch any kind of bus.
Obviously this will require some careful planning but do you think its doable for us to remain car-free? I mentioned to my partner wanting an SUV, and he looked at me as if I'd gone mad, only for me to mention a SUV in my mind was a Yubo Mondo
https://www.yubaride.com/
BUT we plan to relocate to somewhere smaller. One of the places we are considering is Hornby island, BC with population 1000. The place we are looking at would be about 5 km to the general store or doctor. But it is 11 km to the ferry terminal to get off the island, which only gets us to another island of population 1000, and it would be another 11 km to get off that island, and then 25 km to the nearest city.
There is also no public transit on either of the islands or taxi service. To be car-free aside from biking and have an emergency we would need to hitch a ride most likely. (apparently common on the islands though)
Another point is if we biked the 47 km to go on a shopping run in the city and pulled it back by cargo trailer the other 47 km, there is about a 15% grade to get away from the ferry terminal on the first island. I would assume we would need to go the 22 km (or have our own boat of some sort with folding bikes) to get to Vancouver island before being able to catch any kind of bus.
Obviously this will require some careful planning but do you think its doable for us to remain car-free? I mentioned to my partner wanting an SUV, and he looked at me as if I'd gone mad, only for me to mention a SUV in my mind was a Yubo Mondo
https://www.yubaride.com/
You might want to start a new thread about your question, as we're kinda hijacking this thread. It's an interesting question.
I once took the ferry (with a VW beetle) from Vancouver to Victoria. I remember seeing all the little islands along the way and dreamed about living on one.
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01-15-10, 10:16 PM
#14
In the right lane
This is an interesting question as my partner and I are both car-free and living in Toronto currently. We would like to have children. In Toronto, it would be easy being car-free because in addition to bicycles there is excellent 24-hour public transit, easy access to taxis, buses, trains, rental cars, and car-sharing programs (which we feel we would not need).
BUT we plan to relocate to somewhere smaller. One of the places we are considering is Hornby island, BC with population 1000. The place we are looking at would be about 5 km to the general store or doctor. But it is 11 km to the ferry terminal to get off the island, which only gets us to another island of population 1000, and it would be another 11 km to get off that island, and then 25 km to the nearest city.
There is also no public transit on either of the islands or taxi service. To be car-free aside from biking and have an emergency we would need to hitch a ride most likely. (apparently common on the islands though)
Another point is if we biked the 47 km to go on a shopping run in the city and pulled it back by cargo trailer the other 47 km, there is about a 15% grade to get away from the ferry terminal on the first island. I would assume we would need to go the 22 km (or have our own boat of some sort with folding bikes) to get to Vancouver island before being able to catch any kind of bus.
Obviously this will require some careful planning but do you think its doable for us to remain car-free? I mentioned to my partner wanting an SUV, and he looked at me as if I'd gone mad, only for me to mention a SUV in my mind was a Yubo Mondo
https://www.yubaride.com/
BUT we plan to relocate to somewhere smaller. One of the places we are considering is Hornby island, BC with population 1000. The place we are looking at would be about 5 km to the general store or doctor. But it is 11 km to the ferry terminal to get off the island, which only gets us to another island of population 1000, and it would be another 11 km to get off that island, and then 25 km to the nearest city.
There is also no public transit on either of the islands or taxi service. To be car-free aside from biking and have an emergency we would need to hitch a ride most likely. (apparently common on the islands though)
Another point is if we biked the 47 km to go on a shopping run in the city and pulled it back by cargo trailer the other 47 km, there is about a 15% grade to get away from the ferry terminal on the first island. I would assume we would need to go the 22 km (or have our own boat of some sort with folding bikes) to get to Vancouver island before being able to catch any kind of bus.
Obviously this will require some careful planning but do you think its doable for us to remain car-free? I mentioned to my partner wanting an SUV, and he looked at me as if I'd gone mad, only for me to mention a SUV in my mind was a Yubo Mondo
https://www.yubaride.com/
I have to wonder one thing: have you spent much time on Hornsby? These islands are pretty close to Vancouver and Victoria, but have a pretty laid-back, isolated lifestyle. It will be a major change compared to Toronto... ??
01-17-10, 06:40 AM
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car free in Haiti
lived in a car free household with young children (3 and 6) in Haiti for a while.
Being car free there is easier than in the USA because people buy food a reasonable walking distance from home (open air market) and everything else is set up for those who walk for transportation. Despite what people might think about Haiti, it is not all terror and misery at all - very beautiful. Now they're in very tough straits due to the combination of poverty and natural disaster, but having more motor vehicles wouldn't be such a help. People don't have fuel anyway.
Being car free there is easier than in the USA because people buy food a reasonable walking distance from home (open air market) and everything else is set up for those who walk for transportation. Despite what people might think about Haiti, it is not all terror and misery at all - very beautiful. Now they're in very tough straits due to the combination of poverty and natural disaster, but having more motor vehicles wouldn't be such a help. People don't have fuel anyway.
01-17-10, 08:12 AM
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Once you get out of North America you will notice that many, many, many ppl do just fine without a car.
We have 3 kids we have a car now ( I am not anti car, I just do not use it for day to day stuff) but we did not have one until number 3 was on the way and we only got one then because it was given to us for free.
Getting the kid to the doctor, to soccer practice, to choir, where ever can be done by bike, it just takes planning and timing.
and fi you spend an hour ridign home from the violin recital instead of 20 minutes in the car, you can talk more... exercise and talkign to the kdi, win win if you ask me.
For those emergency runs to the ER... taxi and/or ambulance... on average we go to the ER once a year.. so it would be cheaper to pay for a TAXI than keep a car just for that.
We do the Christmas shopping, weekly shopping, daily errands by bike. I even prefer to go out to dinner and movie with the wife by bike!!!
It can be done, you will find a way, but ppl will perster you for it. Ignore them, they mean good, but just have not been thinking or trying anything other than what everybody else does ....
Good luck
Rob
We have 3 kids we have a car now ( I am not anti car, I just do not use it for day to day stuff) but we did not have one until number 3 was on the way and we only got one then because it was given to us for free.
Getting the kid to the doctor, to soccer practice, to choir, where ever can be done by bike, it just takes planning and timing.
and fi you spend an hour ridign home from the violin recital instead of 20 minutes in the car, you can talk more... exercise and talkign to the kdi, win win if you ask me.
For those emergency runs to the ER... taxi and/or ambulance... on average we go to the ER once a year.. so it would be cheaper to pay for a TAXI than keep a car just for that.
We do the Christmas shopping, weekly shopping, daily errands by bike. I even prefer to go out to dinner and movie with the wife by bike!!!
It can be done, you will find a way, but ppl will perster you for it. Ignore them, they mean good, but just have not been thinking or trying anything other than what everybody else does ....
Good luck
Rob
01-17-10, 11:19 AM
#17
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Getting the kid to the doctor, to soccer practice, to choir, where ever can be done by bike, it just takes planning and timing.
and fi you spend an hour ridign home from the violin recital instead of 20 minutes in the car, you can talk more... exercise and talkign to the kdi, win win if you ask me.
and fi you spend an hour ridign home from the violin recital instead of 20 minutes in the car, you can talk more... exercise and talkign to the kdi, win win if you ask me.
Can you provide any details on where you were living car free year round and taking two children to the doctor, to soccer practice, to choir, where ever by bicycle, as well as violin practice,and presumably your place of employment? Distances involved and local weather and road conditions would be interesting too.
01-17-10, 11:26 AM
#18
I'm in shape! A round one
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Lake View, AL
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Bikes: Konas: Jake the Snake-Fire Mountain-Zing Supreme, Surly Long Haul Trucker, Santana Arriva tandem, Montagues: Paratrooper-Fit, Trek 1200, Bianchi Ocelot, and an old Bridgestone 200 I rebuilt as a singlespeed.
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I'm not worried about a car "free" lifestyle, as I don't believe cars are inherently evil in the first place. I have a toddler, and a car is extremely handy for many things. We do have a trailer for her, and take her in it when we don't "need" the car, but I've been on some truly scary taxi rides, and don't care to place my family's safety in the hands of a complete stranger... not to mention some of the absolutely filthy cars I've seen. I'm sure some folks have had wildly different experiences, but good for me we're all individuals, able to make choices for ourselves.
As for me, I'm a truck driver, and carry a bicycle in the truck for those frequent occasions when I want to go somewhere and don't want to (or can't) take the rig. Some towns are great for that, such as Georgetown, SC.
As for me, I'm a truck driver, and carry a bicycle in the truck for those frequent occasions when I want to go somewhere and don't want to (or can't) take the rig. Some towns are great for that, such as Georgetown, SC.
