I feel like I need to make the decision of staying LCF or buying a car.
05-03-16, 08:13 AM
#26
Prefers Cicero
On the other hand, if the self-driving cars are really on the verge of taking over, maybe not.
05-04-16, 05:07 PM
#27
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But you did need it for family purposes for a while - driving elderly relatives, etc. - and so might ben4345 at some point. So I think she (?) should learn to drive now, while' she's fairly young and it's easier to learn, so she will have the skill should she need it, even if she doesn't renew the license every year.
On the other hand, if the self-driving cars are really on the verge of taking over, maybe not.
On the other hand, if the self-driving cars are really on the verge of taking over, maybe not.
I can't wait to be on a bicycle negotiating for tarmac with self driving cars.
05-05-16, 10:10 AM
#28
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So you're carrying around 45 lbs daily plus another 35 lbs 'frequently'?? Perhaps you can pare that load down a bit?
Oh, and motorists (people no matter what their mode of transport) will likely yell/talk about you now what bike and/or gear you're using.
Oh, and motorists (people no matter what their mode of transport) will likely yell/talk about you now what bike and/or gear you're using.
People will yell and throw things at us, no matter what, that is true. But the frequency of this changes significantly when I am with my pack.
There is a grocery delivery service here in NYC that uses Yuba Mundo bikes with electric assist. They go like bats out of hell, carrying lots of cargo very quickly.
I tried a pedal-assist bakfiets a few years ago. I was very impressed at how the system kicked in only when I needed it.
The front loading bikes look like more fun. I see them around here, too.
You've received lots of good advice here. Learn to drive. (You said you will.) You can spend less, but if you want to spend that much, you'll have a blast. Just don't get it stolen. You're lucky you live in Portland where you can contemplate stuff like this. I gather in Portland, you won't be looked at as a weirdo as you are in other places. Cargo bikes are gaining here, too, as are e-bikes and pedal assist bikes. I love these trends.
I tried a pedal-assist bakfiets a few years ago. I was very impressed at how the system kicked in only when I needed it.
The front loading bikes look like more fun. I see them around here, too.
You've received lots of good advice here. Learn to drive. (You said you will.) You can spend less, but if you want to spend that much, you'll have a blast. Just don't get it stolen. You're lucky you live in Portland where you can contemplate stuff like this. I gather in Portland, you won't be looked at as a weirdo as you are in other places. Cargo bikes are gaining here, too, as are e-bikes and pedal assist bikes. I love these trends.
If you need an electric bike that cost $6,100, you're better off with a scooter. You can buy a good one for half that price, insurance is less than a car and you don't have to worry about recharging.
What are your public transit options in Portland? You know they have cartogo and Zipcar in Portland right? If every cab ride cost $50.00 dollars, you can afford 200 rides with 10K!! Find out how many times a month/year you need a car and factor how much it would cost to use ZipCar, Rent a car or call a taxi as alternatives.
What are your public transit options in Portland? You know they have cartogo and Zipcar in Portland right? If every cab ride cost $50.00 dollars, you can afford 200 rides with 10K!! Find out how many times a month/year you need a car and factor how much it would cost to use ZipCar, Rent a car or call a taxi as alternatives.
The o.p. doesn't even know how to drive yet? I drove for 35 years in NYC without a single accident and in 8 years in Portland have had two. Neither of them my fault. Get the license o.p. and put a few hundred miles under your belt before you start running the numbers. Or better yet, quit while you are ahead and forget that you even thought about car ownership for even a New York minute. I am 58 years old and can pedal a Bob Yak trailer loaded well past its weight limit (70lb) up any hill in Portland. No one NEEDS a car, but the economy would crash and burn if that truth ever got out.
05-05-16, 12:04 PM
#29
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But then I realize how more healthier I am compared to my peers that started driving as soon as they could. They are on their way to diabetes, heart disease, along with so many health issues we have in the US. They struggle going to the gym on a regular basis, always going on some kind of "diet", it is just so sad.
05-05-16, 01:39 PM
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The quote was in reference to getting an early start driving. There's nothing about a license per se. It's over dependence on driving that may interfere with getting enough exercise. But of course it's all up to the individual.
05-05-16, 01:57 PM
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Many posters have previously suggested that obtaining and possessing a valid license's license can prove useful in many scenarios (employment, renting a vehicle, ID), including those that do not require owning, or even driving a car. The OP brought up all the health horror stories he presumably assumes is the result of such an action.
05-05-16, 02:08 PM
#32
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Many posters have previously suggested that obtaining and possessing a valid license's license can prove useful in many scenarios (employment, renting a vehicle, ID), including those that do not require owning, or even driving a car. The OP brought up all the health horror stories he presumably assumes is the result of such an action.
05-05-16, 03:58 PM
#33
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But then I realize how more healthier I am compared to my peers that started driving as soon as they could. They are on their way to diabetes, heart disease, along with so many health issues we have in the US. They struggle going to the gym on a regular basis, always going on some kind of "diet", it is just so sad.
05-05-16, 04:51 PM
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Vehicle ownership in itself, no, but a sedentary lifestyle brought on by excessive motoring and not enough cycling and walking, yes.
A sedentary lifestyle and lack of physical activity can contribute to or be a risk factor for:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedentary_lifestyle
[/SUP]
A sedentary lifestyle and lack of physical activity can contribute to or be a risk factor for:
- Anxiety[SUP][8][/SUP][SUP][9][/SUP][SUP][10][/SUP]
- Cardiovascular disease[SUP][11][/SUP][SUP][12][/SUP]
- Colon cancer[SUP][8][/SUP]
- Depression[SUP][8][/SUP][SUP][10][/SUP]
- Diabetes[SUP][8][/SUP]
- High blood pressure[SUP][8][/SUP][SUP][13][/SUP]
- Lipid disorders[SUP][8][/SUP]
- Mortality in adults[SUP][14][/SUP]
- Obesity[SUP][15][/SUP][SUP][16][/SUP]
- Osteoporosis[SUP][8][/SUP][SUP][17][/SUP][SUP][18][/SUP]
- Scoliosis[SUP][8][/SUP][SUP][19][/SUP][SUP][20][/SUP]
- Spinal disc herniation (Low back pain)[SUP][21][/SUP]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedentary_lifestyle
[/SUP]
05-05-16, 08:15 PM
#35
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Many posters have previously suggested that obtaining and possessing a valid license's license can prove useful in many scenarios (employment, renting a vehicle, ID), including those that do not require owning, or even driving a car. The OP brought up all the health horror stories he presumably assumes is the result of such an action.
Vehicle ownership in itself, no, but a sedentary lifestyle brought on by excessive motoring and not enough cycling and walking, yes.
A sedentary lifestyle and lack of physical activity can contribute to or be a risk factor for:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedentary_lifestyle
[/SUP]
A sedentary lifestyle and lack of physical activity can contribute to or be a risk factor for:
- Anxiety[SUP][8][/SUP][SUP][9][/SUP][SUP][10][/SUP]
- Cardiovascular disease[SUP][11][/SUP][SUP][12][/SUP]
- Colon cancer[SUP][8][/SUP]
- Depression[SUP][8][/SUP][SUP][10][/SUP]
- Diabetes[SUP][8][/SUP]
- High blood pressure[SUP][8][/SUP][SUP][13][/SUP]
- Lipid disorders[SUP][8][/SUP]
- Mortality in adults[SUP][14][/SUP]
- Obesity[SUP][15][/SUP][SUP][16][/SUP]
- Osteoporosis[SUP][8][/SUP][SUP][17][/SUP][SUP][18][/SUP]
- Scoliosis[SUP][8][/SUP][SUP][19][/SUP][SUP][20][/SUP]
- Spinal disc herniation (Low back pain)[SUP][21][/SUP]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedentary_lifestyle
[/SUP]
05-05-16, 10:28 PM
#36
Prefers Cicero
It's not the ownership per se, it is the use. I know you are a highly motivated fitness buff, but not everybody is, and it's often a struggle to ensure we get adequate exercise. Not having ready access to a car is one way to ensure you get "free" exercise just from normal day-to-day activities
05-05-16, 10:29 PM
#37
Prefers Cicero
Also:
Are cars the new tobacco?
https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral...889-015-1435-9
"Not owning a car in the US is associated with especially high levels of [moderate to vigorous physical activity]".
https://www.heartandstroke.com/site/c...alth_risks.htm
https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/defa...2015_final.pdf
see page 16 for impact of cars on health of owners, includng:
- Each additional hour spent travelling in a car per day is associated with a 6% increase in the
likelihood of becoming obese.
- Each additional kilometre walked per day is associated with a 4.8% reduction in the likelihood
of becoming obese.
- Switching from private motor transport to active travel or public transport is associated with a
significant reduction in body mass index (BMI).
https://www.bbc.com/autos/story/20160...or-your-health
New car smell is due to toxic fumes.
Are cars the new tobacco?
https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral...889-015-1435-9
"Not owning a car in the US is associated with especially high levels of [moderate to vigorous physical activity]".
https://www.heartandstroke.com/site/c...alth_risks.htm
https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/defa...2015_final.pdf
see page 16 for impact of cars on health of owners, includng:
- Each additional hour spent travelling in a car per day is associated with a 6% increase in the
likelihood of becoming obese.
- Each additional kilometre walked per day is associated with a 4.8% reduction in the likelihood
of becoming obese.
- Switching from private motor transport to active travel or public transport is associated with a
significant reduction in body mass index (BMI).
https://www.bbc.com/autos/story/20160...or-your-health
New car smell is due to toxic fumes.
Last edited by cooker; 05-05-16 at 10:43 PM.
05-06-16, 12:55 PM
#38
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05-06-16, 12:56 PM
#39
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It's not the ownership per se, it is the use. I know you are a highly motivated fitness buff, but not everybody is, and it's often a struggle to ensure we get adequate exercise. Not having ready access to a car is one way to ensure you get "free" exercise just from normal day-to-day activities
I'm getting just as much recreational cycling as when I was driving. But now every errand is active too. And sometimes hauling a loaded cargo trailer.
I didn't have the "drive" to live quite this way when I had a car in the driveway. But when driving is not on the table anymore, it's kind of silly to consider it as you ponder your immediate future. The automatic activity that follows comes naturally. It doesn't require discipline and motivation to stay fit for the sake of it.
When I'm active on errands/commuting/recreation/visiting friends I don't have to find time to "go exercise".
My point is not that living car free means you must get a lot of exercise. If you live in your employers back yard, have close-by mass transit, restaurants food nearby or delivered, and watch a lot of tv, you can still be inactive. It just takes more work.
Last edited by Walter S; 05-06-16 at 12:59 PM.
05-06-16, 01:10 PM
#40
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Not getting enough exercise is a danger for me, as I have everything I need right here in my neighborhood, and the railway station is just a few blocks away. It's a good thing I have a dog that needs walking.
05-06-16, 03:10 PM
#41
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Dogs are similar to no car - probably increases your activity. It helps to be car free and buy dog food in 40 lb bags. I have a terrier mix named Apollo that I recently adopted as a pup. Talk about energy!
05-27-16, 12:10 AM
#42
Senior Member
That's exactly what i do.. I really only need to do 'car' things two, maybe three times a month tops.. much easier/cheaper to rent.. 90% of the time the car is just sitting doing nothing, taking up money and space..it's like having a player piano on hand...'just in case'.
05-28-16, 03:52 PM
#43
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I remind myself once in a while that I can rent a car whenever I want to. I just keep failing to come up with a good reason.
05-29-16, 12:31 AM
#44
Sophomoric Member
Same here! I've rented U-Haul trucks a couple times to move, but I never saw the need to rent a car. Ironically, I did used to rent cars once in a while when I owned cars, but never when I was carfree. Somehow, owning a car feeds into the "need" to rent one.
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