Originally Posted by Double0757

I have been bike/train commuting for a solid year now. Lost 35 lb and started to save so much money on tolls and gas, that I invested some of it on the bike itself (dynamo front hubs, front and rear lights, new wheels, tape, brakes, bike friendly cloth, ....) a 1983 touring Cannodale. Now I ride it every where for small shores around the neighborhood, day and nights(10 miles radius). Which I enjoy immensely, for the health benefits, the independence and the feeling of freedom and joy riding a bike gives you!

Recently had two of my cars (have 5 cars total, 3 College kids and the wife and me) parked for maintenance ( wreck and expensive part on the other) and my wife and I where left with no working car for two weeks. I have now fixed one and in the proses of fixing the other (my sons).

Two weeks and we hardly missed the car. Not ready for car free at this stage of life (older parents and 3 kids in college we visit from time to time). However, we have decided to cut the cost of one car and keep only one car for us (wife and I). We figure we could save an extra $600.00 on insurance over the $2000.00 we save already in gas and tolls alone, not to mention maintenance. Which I figure about $100.00 a month (tires, muffler, brakes, oils, ....). I'll probably invest on a bike trailer and two bike kayak trailer (I've seen them around the neighborhood, pretty cool) and we'll be set!

We may move to car free in the future. Can always rent for travel and projects around the house. But for now, we are happy to get rid of one car!

Yes, cars can be security blankets (like in my case with the second car), but to some is a necessary evil (like us with one car)! Double O