rhm

I'm not completely car free, but I take pride in not owning a car. I wouldn't want to be called smug about this... but I imagine some people might think the charge applies.

I don't want to project, but I suspect this is true of other people on this forum.

But of course there are many car-free people who would very much prefer to have a car, and who are not in the least proud of not having one.

Thoughts?

Roody

Of course. And "proud" is not a four letter word. I worked hard to become carfree in the first place, starting more than 40 years ago. I was a pioneer, a gadfly, an activist, and an innovator.

(Disclaimer: As many of you know, I'm no longer carfree. I live in a household with other family members who own one car. But I do stand on my record with many years of carfreedom.)

CliffordK

I'm not completely carless, but I haven't been driving for nearly a year now.

I wouldn't say proud... but I am happy with the decision.

enigmaT120

What's the difference between proud and smug? If I were car-free where I live I would think I was a god. I guess that's somewhere beyond smug.

MikeRides

It was my pride that led me to being car free last year. I was too proud (eh, maybe a better way to put it is I was too cheap) to take my car to a "professional" and insisted on rebuilding the engine myself even though I was also working 12-14 hour shifts back to back at the time. I was proud that I managed to perform such a task without any outside help and I was proud that I survived living in the sticks without a car for approx six months.

I'm now car light, and really my pride has nothing to do with it. I just enjoy riding my bike, but lack the desire to ride for recreation and prefer having a specific destination to ride to/from.

rhm

Well, I'm sure different people hear the words differently.

To my mind, "proud" implies I believe I'm doing the right thing and have nothing to be ashamed of. It should come across in the way I say the words "I don't have a car." I am not embarrassed by the fact that I don't have a car. Nor do I flaunt it, though I will ask for a ride if I need it. Last Friday I got a stranger to drive me and a stack of aluminum gutter from Home Depot to my house. I tried to pay him for the ride, but he would not accept payment.

"Smug" would imply I'm satisfied with what I've done. I have done my part, have you? aren't I wonderful?

wolfchild

Not a speck of pride or smugness in me. I just go about my daily business and do what I need to do. Why would anybody feel smug because of LCF ??

chewybrian 

I am proud of some elements that came along with the decision:

-lost 100 pounds.
-rode a triple century in one day.
-saved enough to buy a condo.

It was a difficult decision, but it worked for me. I would not be embarrassed to own a car in the future, however, if it made sense for me.

I try not to judge others (unless they wear socks with sandals). However, I think the financial and health benefits I found in being car free are there for some other people, and a certain percentage could benefit in the same way I did. It's definitely not for everyone, for various reasons.

Machka 

When I was car-free for many years ... it was just how things were. Nothing to be proud of particularly. It's not an accomplishment like riding a 1200K randonnee or graduating from university.

And really, it was the simplest option for me at the time. I didn't want to be bothered with the fuss and hassle of vehicle ownership ... most things I needed were easily accessible in about a 10 km radius without a car ... and it was a great way to maintain or improve my fitness level.

Artkansas 

Like Machka, my feelings are just acceptance. If I drive I feel jealousy when I see people on bike. I feel no shame in being car-free. It's not like I'm missing something.

Dahon.Steve

I don't think I can say that it was a proud feeling to become carfree. To me, it's more like breathing and natural. I enjoy taking public transit and having the city pay all the associated costs.

My father didn't own a car until I was ten years old. Until then we would do everything using trains and buses and I miss those days. If you've been carfree for 40+ years of your life as I've been, it becomes second nature. I never get up and worry how I'm going arrive at work or shop for food. Life has never been easier.

gerv 

I kind of agree with this. Lately I've begun to consider it just another vehicle. It gets me where I need to go.

However, I do think it's a great way to get around and I really enjoy my rides!!

I also think it could be a vital part of a strategy to get the world to stop wasting precious resources (resources that future generations will need... like clean air and a stable climate). So I see myself as setting a good example for others and I try to encourage others to think about these issues. But there's no real pride on my part. It's more like a hopeful feeling.

Van Goghs Ear

I think, if anything it makes me more optimistic, and as cheesy as it sounds gives me a "can do" attitude that I see a lot of my friends who are chained to cars as a source of transportation seem to lack.

I never have to worry about paying for parking downtown, I can avoid rush hour, and when my vehicle breaks down, I can fix it within a day. I just think removing complexities from your life turns you into a more resourceful individual.

I remember my friend had the same day off of work as I did a few months ago, I asked if he wanted to head down to our favourite coffee shop and browse records next door, he said he couldn't because his car was in the shop. He lives three blocks from me and the place is about 3km from us...I tend to notice that a lot from drivers, but I'm sure it's not true of all

Roody

This kind of thing does make me feel a little smug, although I try not to express it in any way. And I guess I feel a slight contempt for people who don't even try to be more self-reliant.

Hey, I'm not proud of it--just telling the truth. I hope you all don't flame me for it.

For example, a co-worker calls in "sick" on a cold morning because their car won't start. They live closer to work than I do, but I just rode my bike or walked in the same cold weather that they can't handle. And now I have to work harder all day just to pick up the slack because they called in. I feel a little smug, a little resentful, and a lot like they should give me half of their sick pay!

My mother was one of the kindest women I ever knew. One time I told her that it bothered me that I was on a strict diet, but my co-workers were celebrating a team accomplishment by getting cheesecake. My mom said kindly (of course) that it was OK to think for just a few minutes that I was a little BETTER than them, that I knew how to sacrifice pleasure for a longer term goal, and I was getting much healthier. In other words, she was telling me to be smug for just a few minutes, and I would feel better while still maintaining my own diet. It worked, and I guess I do sort of the same thing when it comes to being carfree. Hey, it beats feeling sorry for myself!

Jim from Boston

Are you proud to live car free?

I’m car-light, but that’s because cycling is a big part of my life style, and car-light (or –free) is the natural consequence. So I would not say I am “proud” or “smug,” but satisfied. But I think that pride, or smugness really requires the response of admiration, or envy, by others to be a reality. So I am proud (hopefully not smug), by the response of others.

I posted to this thread, ”What People Say”

Similar to:

chubbyhubs

Proud in the transportation mode no.

For me being carfree is just a better fit with my over all life style.

When I drive I rarely think about how or what I am going to do. So cycling provides more logistics to accomplish a task IMO
For instance when I drive home from my job I just push a pedal to speed home remaining distracted from work. Whereas when I ride my bike I am able to transition my thoughts from the work day. I use cycling as a focal point to direct my thoughts. So by the time I get home, work is over and does not come in the house.

just my perspective, your may be different

FBinNY 

Neither proud, nor wishing otherwise. It's a choice which I made because it made sense for me. Doesn't make me a better person then my neighbor who chose to have and drive a car because it made sense for him.

Roody

The definition doesn't say anything about pride involving a feeling of being better than other people. Pride is exactly what most people have been describing on this thread, even though they say they're not proud. As a psychologist, I've always sen pride as a good thing--it involves building up oneself--not tearing down somebody else. If you put extra effort of skill, knowledge, or work into being carfree, you should certainly feel proud of your accomplishment.

[HR][/HR]


pride
prīd/
noun

• 1.
  a feeling or deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired.
  "the team was bursting with pride after recording a sensational victory"
• 
  [TABLE="class: vk_tbl vk_gy"]
  [TR]
  [TD="class: lr_dct_nyms_ttl"]synonyms:[/TD]
  [TD]pleasure, joy, delight, gratification, fulfillment,satisfaction, a sense of achievement, "take pride in a good job well done"[/TD]
  [/TR]
  [/TABLE]
  
  
  
  

FBinNY 

I'm sorry I misled you with the reference to other people. I was trying to say that I'm no prouder about opting to be car free that my neighbor would be about opting to drive.

It's simply that, even using your definition, pride implies something to be proud of or about, ie. an achievement. This doesn't rise to that in my mind, it's simply a choice, and one I can change if I wish. In a way it's more like what I have for dinner. I enjoy it, and it fills my belly, but I don't feel a sense of pride about it either.

OTOH I am somewhat proud that I'm very healthy for my age, and like to believe (or kid myself) that it's not all luck and good genes.

Roody

I wasn't referring to you personally. Just to people in general. Maybe the definition of pride is changing gradually in general usage, and that's reflected here?

But still, for most people in America, and probably a lot of other countries, it is a bit of an accomplishment to live without a car, or even to use the car a lot less. Not only is the infrastructure set up for cars, but they're the cultural norm supported by millions of dollars in advertising. You say you're not proud of what you chose for dinner, but if you grew the food yourself, or did a particularly good job of cooking it, you would possibly be proud of that skill and effort. I think that's what being carfree in most parts of America is--going a little beyond what the average person does in terms of knowledge, effort, self-reliance, and tenacity.

Of course, I hope the day comes when being carfree is just as easy a choice as what to have for dinner. When that day comes, I'll no longer be proud of my carfree accomplishments--but I think we're still a long way from that.

FBinNY 

I see what you mean, and there are valid points. Maybe I set my personal bar too high (it's just mine), and maybe it has to do with the reasons people go carless. Some people make an active decision to "give up" the car as a matter of social conscience, and they might rightfully be proud of their willingness to do so. Others might have made a great effort to go carless, or at least ride a bike to lose weight or be healthier. Still others, might do it to reduce the drain on the budget and save the dough towards their kids' education. There are probably many reasons that people might go carless which would be prideworthy.

I don't fit those profiles. I'm a long time cyclist, and when I came home from Cozumel on July 4th 6 or 7 years ago oil prices were up again. Also, I had strong objections about where our oil dollars were going, so in a small fit of pique I declared independence from OPEC. The plan was to celebrate for all of July. Then it went so well I extended it through the summer, then to Halloween and finally decided to continue until weather made it prohibitive. That was a mild winter so I never stopped, and once a year rolled around, it was a done deal. I might not have given up the car, but insurance is costly here, so I decided to turn in my plates and rent if I ever needed to, which I do from time to time, especially to go to airports.

Riding has also made me feel better physically, improved my condition so I no longer lose half the Spring getting back into shape, and overall works well for me, despite some inconvenience. So all in all I consider it a rational choice, and not something to be proud of per se.

Of course I could take credit for the drop in oil demand and the resultant cut in OPEC revenues, but I'm not sure that my 1,000 gallons per year was the key to that.

BTW - I'm a bit proud of my decision to boycott OPEC, but I also know that I have an alpine stubborn, contrary streak that runs deep within, and I'm not proud of that.

cvskates

I just sold my truck earlier this month (even if I hadn't been using it for a couple months), so I'm still wallowing in my own sense of how awesome I am :-).

I'm not 100% car free, but having done the math on the money we're saving and the calories I'm burning, I'm pretty proud of myself. Having said that, outside BF I keep that to myself.

Walter S

I think Hoity Toity maybe hits the mark. Equal parts of proud and smug.

ro-monster

I am not proud of choosing to be car-free, but I am often filled with gratitude that I made that choice. Every time I ride in someone's car and we enter a parking lot crowded with people trying to grab an open space before someone else does, I'm grateful that I never have to deal with that. Every time I see a line of cars crawling along in traffic, I'm grateful that I can pass by unhindered. When I ride the bus or train, I'm grateful that I can simply relax and look at my surroundings instead of trying constantly to focus on dozens of potential hazards coming from different directions every moment. I'm grateful that my trips on my bike or my feet show me places and things most people never get to see.

Walter S

That hits the mark for so many of us I'm sure. There's daily stress (or lack thereof) in about all of the stuff you mention. I remember when I used to commute by car to work every day. Getting off work was not that great. I hated the rush hour drive. A twenty minute drive on the interstate might average forty five at rush hour. Or two or three hours. It may be just me personally but I found it so depressing to get in a long line of cars that are all waiting to get on the interstate and creep along - when it occasionally moves for a bit. All breathing in each other's fumes while maximizing all the air on high as we sit in a hot bubble of polluting exhausts. God that was depressing.

Cycling restored the fun in getting off work. There are periods of time like riding on my bicycle that really make me feel like a kid again. I'm glad I can find that again nearly every day. It hasn't always been true.