Originally Posted by
RobbiRobbi
Here's my two cents: people who've managed to move a couch with their cargo bike, or regularly cycle to work in -20F weather, or really anything else that seems extreme to the uninitiated, like to talk about. That's understandable, people want to feel good about what they've done, but it can still be discouraging to people not on that level (yet.) But other times it's actively confrontational, which I think is super counter-productive. Most real lifestyle changes are made incrementally, and that means starting with the easy stuff.
Originally Posted by
mconlonx
Ultimately, leading by example is the best way to encourage anything. Like many other things, success will be if LCF becomes something which is attractive, rather than something it is necessary to promote.
There are many different ways to live car free. For example one can use public transportation for the little trips, and hire a delivery service for the big stuff.
In fact, I have neighbors that are driving cars, and routinely hire awkward stuff that doesn't fit in their cars to be delivered that I might otherwise carry on a bicycle. But I also know that I have some limits of what I can do with the bike... maybe. I have to work on some of those.
No couches so far, but I've had more than a few awkward loads on my bike.
I suppose I consider it as an example of living car free out of town and away from bus routes.
People can consider me as the local clown (entertainment purposes of the next thing heading down the road behind my bike), or perhaps can take it as an example of what is possible.
If nobody ever tries to carry a couch, then they may well think it is impossible. See a few headed down the road at a snails pace, and hopefully it opens up the possibilities.