This comes from an article on the bicyclefixation.com website. This one of my favorite cycling sites. Since this article specifically addresses car freedom, as do some others on the site, I thought y'all might enjoy it. The URL to the full article is https://www.bicyclefixation.com/autoholics.htm.

THE PETRO-JUNKIE'S PEDAL-PUSHER PLEDGE

1. Get a life by getting a bike--become a born-again cyclist.
2. Resolve to use pedal power whenever possible in place of a car.
3. Rethink your priorities and the concept of time as a commodity.
4. Forsake the frontier mentality of "use it up and throw it away."
5. Quit the cult of conspicuous consumption and competitive conceit.
6. Do without, get by with less, and recycle what you have.
7. Live more harmoniously with the planet and its inhabitants.
8. Lead by example and encourage others to follow in your path.

With the proper preparation, substituting a bike for your Buick or BMW should bring not only substantial health and financial benefits, but also the peace of mind that comes from taking personal responsibility seriously.

--Riley R. Geary, Car-Free Lifestyle Counselor since 1988

This one has been on my mind for a long while.

The only thing we own in this life is healthful free time. But most of us have been duped into trading the best years of our lives in soul-deadening jobs in order to buy "stuff". And we save for "Golden Years" which may not even come; and if they do, may come with a host of debilitating maladies.

27,000 days. That's what we get, if we're lucky.
But we can only count on today.

Very well said

I like the 8 principles. But I would add something about

9. Work with your neighbors or community to make alternatives to the car available to more people.

I'm thinking not only about public transit, but cooperative transit schemes also.

You're preaching to the converted; the people reading your post have mostly already done this. I don't know the answer to this question, but here it is: How does one get the message out to a car-crazed public that the very thing they love is not, in fact, their friend? How do you convince all those people stuck on the freeway that there are other options? (One would think that the very wretchedness of the freeway experience itself would be enough, but, since there are still millions of people doing it every day, apparently not...)

In the end, it is material conditions that drive change. Most people are resistant to change and will not change their ways untill the nudge of necessity propells them in a new direction. As for getting the word out, I think Platy's stratigy is really about the best we can do: just ride and be an example for others to follow. To be a little more proactive, we can print up the 'properganda' stickers provided by C.I.C.L.E (Cyclists Inciting Change through Live Exchange) and plaster them up in places where drivers will see them. I have some pinned to my cubicle walls at work. I don't think this sort of thing has much affect, but it may, and we have no way of knowing who may have been influenced in what way to make a change.

First, keep in mind that on this forum you're not preaching to the converted, you're also preaching to those who are thinking about becoming converted. Many of the posters here, and most of the lurkers (presumably) have not yet made the switch to carfree, but they're considering it.

I think this is the answer to your question. Don't waste time preaching to the "car-crazed public." Instead, provide those who are interested in your message with some support, information and a sense of fun and adventure. And also be sure to give good vibes to those who have already converted, lest they backslide.

Don't think of it as backsliding--a [temporary] lapse in judgement, perhaps.

And for those who have not converted (me), a gentle coax in the right direction .

East Hill

A rise in gas taxes would help.

Price is not the only factor that motivates people to get around without a car, but it's significant. It does not make economic or environmental sense for non-car-users to be subsidizing roads and clean air for the car users.

Nope. That only hurts the poor. I would think a better plan would be to approach businesses about making it easier for people to get to work without a car. Or starting/expanding businesses near high density/low income housing.

The poorest people in the US sometimes live in the cars. They won't be giving them up. Middle class folks can afford to have a car sit in the driveway, and only use it as needed. The rich just don't care.