October Auto free?
 

This forum has made me think back to exactly why I started cycle commuting. It was three fold, exersize, enviromental, and monetary. I saved a bunch of money not driving, so much I sold my truck and went 12 years without a car. Yes there was some sacrifice, my freedom to go camping at a moments notice. It was hard for me to get out of the city. Now I find myself once again owning a vehicle and driving it more than I should. So after reading many a post on this forum I began to think once again on why I was commuting I came up with the original 3 reason and an additional one. How can I support huge multi national corparations who strive to control every aspect of my life and that the money that goes to them some of it does funnel down into terrorist hands (I guess that is really 2) I am not trying to start a political debate here, but I have decided to make October (too late for August and do to scheduling difficulties I am going to have to drive to a wedding in September) Auto free, no cars period. Bus, train or cycle only. I know it can be done I was hoping that maybe some of you would care to join me and post some ideas on how to acomplish this. The more I ride and drive the angrier I get with a very large and vocal minority of drivers and I really do not want to buy into that life style anymore. Cycling is truly a lifestyle more than anything else and I want to return to my simpler times.

I do it all the time. Bike, bus, train. It can be done and it's a lot easier on the wallet than car ownership, upkeep, insurance, etc.

I have not owned or driven a vehicle for 2 years and taken a bus once during this time(when my bike broke down on tour) and do not miss vehicles.I do work out of my home which helps and live within biking distance to enough amenities that I am not bored.I suggest you plan a bike tour for your next vacation(particularly if you give up driving for good) where you can get out of the city and get in some camping(you really see and appreciate the scenery this way as well). Exercise,financial and environmental all played a role in my initial decision but when I think back on all the money I am saving and how much more I enjoy cycling rather than driving I find I really have no need for a car.

I have already started to accumulate the equipment I am going to need to do some cycle camping. When I moved from Seattle up here I did not realize how convienent this area is to biking out of town I am literally less than 5 minutes from my house to farmland and 30 mins from camping. (bike time mind you). Alas I do not work at home and do live 30 miles from my work I do ride home once or twice a week but I will have to take the bus to and from work. But with the cycle I will still get in about 14 miles a day on cycle.

Sounds like you could make it work with the cycle/bus scenario.All it should take is breaking the habit of driving everywhere by car and if you have previously done it for 12 years I would say you should have no problem.I found I was not biking or doing enough aerobic exercise in the city when I had a car and so getting rid of the car (actually it was a lemon anyway so the dealer had to buy it back lol)was the key to me increasing my cycling.And now cycling everywhere is habit and I think a much better one.

RWTD,

Man I rode for 5 years and then I slacked off, used the bke only for short hops. Well After doing 30 mile R/T commuting and putting the bike away I got out right fat gained around 60 lbs took me another 5 years to work that off!

I have never owned a car and at this point I have no intention of ever buying one. The same people who tell me I should get one are the same ones who are always complaining about their car problems:

"Petrol costs too much"

"I can't afford the repayments"

"I don't have time to exercise"

"Repairs are too expensive"

"I can't go outside when it rains" (yes, I've heard this one from car owners. Personally I wake up every day hoping for rain)

Blah, blah, blah! Of course, there are some inconveniences of not owning one, but I think they pale into insignificance compared to the inconveniences and problems caused by having one.