best places to live car free
09-08-06, 08:55 PM
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 161
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by donnamb
I seem to do just fine here in Portland. I perceive that my life was a great deal more stressful with the car than without. I can't speak for anyone else, but there are a lot of other car free folks around here, and they seem happy enough. My brother is for sure.
Now, my bro and I are in complete agreement that we would not be happy living car free where we grew up in metro Detroit. In fact, if you create a worst list, definitely put metro Detroit on it.
Now, my bro and I are in complete agreement that we would not be happy living car free where we grew up in metro Detroit. In fact, if you create a worst list, definitely put metro Detroit on it.
09-09-06, 09:49 AM
#29
I scream for ice cream.
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Broakland, CA
Posts: 531
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Berkeley is great for cycling-- tons of people on bikes, roads with certain intersections blocked for bike-only traffic, bike routes, bike paths, tons of stores/shops in close proximity to each other and the car-driving public around here is actually really nice to bikers a majority of the time.
09-09-06, 11:02 AM
#30
Sophomoric Member
Originally Posted by twochins
ooh, i used to live in Hamtramck..man, the people there were great but the city of detroit is rough, real rough
__________________
"Think Outside the Cage"
09-09-06, 08:32 PM
#31
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Toronto
Posts: 970
Bikes: Miyata 600, Marin Larkspur, Marin Muirwoods, GT tequesta, Fuji Ace
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I vote for Toronto - I've never owned a car and I've lived there for 30 years. For a period of time I was car-free, bike-free, and transit-free, I just walked everywhere for about 4 months. I ate, played, had fun, and never missed metal-dependent transportation.
I currently live in Calgary car-lite; we borrow a car for some shopping trips and inter-city travel, but I am able to get to work and do daily chores without a car (don't think I could get by very well without transit or cycling though, it is very suburbanised here).
Considering less than half of montrealers own cars, I would guess that it is a good city to be car free
. Anyone care to corroborate??
I currently live in Calgary car-lite; we borrow a car for some shopping trips and inter-city travel, but I am able to get to work and do daily chores without a car (don't think I could get by very well without transit or cycling though, it is very suburbanised here).
Considering less than half of montrealers own cars, I would guess that it is a good city to be car free
. Anyone care to corroborate??
09-09-06, 10:21 PM
#32
Sophomoric Member
Originally Posted by rajman
For a period of time I was car-free, bike-free, and transit-free, I just walked everywhere for about 4 months. I ate, played, had fun, and never missed metal-dependent transportation.
But didn't your shoes have those little metal eyelets?
__________________
"Think Outside the Cage"
09-10-06, 09:43 AM
#33
Sophomoric Member
Originally Posted by wheel
This goes out to the cycle people.
Carfree in Phoenix has its rewards. Living in a Urban core (center of 4 million people) and having country and mountains even horses only 4 miles away or 10 miles away North and South Mountains. Transportation is the top expense in Phoenix becuae of the motor-vheicle.
[....]
I like Urban I also like Rural here you get both.
Carfree in Phoenix has its rewards. Living in a Urban core (center of 4 million people) and having country and mountains even horses only 4 miles away or 10 miles away North and South Mountains. Transportation is the top expense in Phoenix becuae of the motor-vheicle.
[....]
I like Urban I also like Rural here you get both.
This brings up a point that's important to me too when choosing a location. I also like to be right in the middle of the city, but with rural areas a short ride away. I have a couple small lakes and forests 2 miles from my house, and within 20 minutes I can be right out in the farmland. Within an hour (by mountain bike) there is a good singletrack trail system through fields, swamp and forest. I feel the need to get out of the city at least once a week.
__________________
"Think Outside the Cage"
09-10-06, 11:29 AM
#34
Sophomoric Member
Originally Posted by wheel
Yea right on Roody,
This is one reason I moved from the big cities of the East Coast. Nature is free and does not cost anything. The desert is an amazing palce to watch a sunset/sunrise, go for a hike, or sit ontop of a 25oo ft mountain and look out at the city below at night. This is a magical place and I never have to venture to far from my apt. if I want solitude.
This is one reason I moved from the big cities of the East Coast. Nature is free and does not cost anything. The desert is an amazing palce to watch a sunset/sunrise, go for a hike, or sit ontop of a 25oo ft mountain and look out at the city below at night. This is a magical place and I never have to venture to far from my apt. if I want solitude.
One good thing about cycling in an exploratory manner is that you really start to understand and appreciate the geography of your location. For example, on my rides I've been able to see that much of the woods within the city are located on a floodplain, so houses were never built there, and the land has stayed pretty wild and free, with development all around it. Out west, canyons are often like that too. Around here, Michigan State University has huge research farms south of their campus, so that region has never been urbanized either.
__________________
"Think Outside the Cage"
09-11-06, 12:48 AM
#36
Senior Member
Originally Posted by wheel
Yea right on Roody,
This is one reason I moved from the big cities of the East Coast. Nature is free and does not cost anything. The desert is an amazing palce to watch a sunset/sunrise, go for a hike, or sit ontop of a 25oo ft mountain and look out at the city below at night. This is a magical place and I never have to venture to far from my apt. if I want solitude.
This is one reason I moved from the big cities of the East Coast. Nature is free and does not cost anything. The desert is an amazing palce to watch a sunset/sunrise, go for a hike, or sit ontop of a 25oo ft mountain and look out at the city below at night. This is a magical place and I never have to venture to far from my apt. if I want solitude.
Riding across Nevada, Arizona we would camp out amongst the locals. On a group tour, local clubs prepared our breakfasts. TOld us about their towns. These small town citizens seemed to have had thriving community civic organizations that were well supported on a Saturday nite. Community projects seem better supported by all, compared to the apathy you sense in a city. Yet, I sensed locals valued their easy access to soltitude.
09-11-06, 01:21 AM
#37
Immoderator
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: POS Tennessee
Posts: 7,630
Bikes: Gary Fisher Simple City 8, Litespeed Obed
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
Here in the next couple years, I'm going to move around a bit, probably starting with Northern California, Oregon, then eventually working my way to Alaska. I've always wanted to see those places, and most seem to be very cycling-friendly.
__________________
Originally Posted by Bikeforums
Your rights end where another poster's feelings begin.
09-11-06, 01:24 AM
#38
Senior Member
Cycling friendly. A friend was stationed in Alaska. Cars not a menace, but grizzly bears aren't exactly friendly. He said, a grizzly can outrun a cyclist, and he knew of one ocassion where it did and chewed on the cyclist.
09-11-06, 01:37 AM
#39
Immoderator
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: POS Tennessee
Posts: 7,630
Bikes: Gary Fisher Simple City 8, Litespeed Obed
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
Originally Posted by cyclezealot
Cycling friendly. A friend was stationed in Alaska. Cars not a menace, but grizzly bears aren't exactly friendly. He said, a grizzly can outrun a cyclist, and he knew of one ocassion where it did and chewed on the cyclist.
__________________
Originally Posted by Bikeforums
Your rights end where another poster's feelings begin.
09-11-06, 04:54 AM
#40
Senior Member
Maybe humans would be more humble, if they were to realize they are not always on top of the food chain. Just look down a black tips throat.
09-11-06, 10:44 AM
#41
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 107
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
[QUOTE=Golf XRay Tango]The city of Toronto is a pretty great place to live car-free. Cycling in traffic is hard work, but the drivers here seem to be more aware of cyclists than in most American cities.
I agree, it seems that the drivers in toronto are very aware of cyclists. These photo's https://www.citynoise.org/article/2770 seem to prove that the driver not only is aware that she is on a bicycle, but seems to be trying to help with some sort of wheel truing.
I agree, it seems that the drivers in toronto are very aware of cyclists. These photo's https://www.citynoise.org/article/2770 seem to prove that the driver not only is aware that she is on a bicycle, but seems to be trying to help with some sort of wheel truing
.
09-11-06, 11:42 AM
#42
Sophomoric Member
Originally Posted by wheel
September 11 changed all of the best east coast places to live carfree, I found alternatives on the West Coast,
__________________
"Think Outside the Cage"
09-11-06, 01:51 PM
#43
Senior Member
Just FYI, this topic has been discussed numerous times in other threads. Do a search.
That said, in the developed world, I think Holland is far and away the best country for bicycles: especially Amsterdam; there are bicyclists everywhere, and very few autos
In the US, Portland is consistently rated the best city for bicycles, and it is richly deserved: The city has a comprehensive, integrated system of trails. Seattle (where I live) is very good as well, though our trails are more fragmented than in Portland.
That said, in the developed world, I think Holland is far and away the best country for bicycles: especially Amsterdam; there are bicyclists everywhere, and very few autos
In the US, Portland is consistently rated the best city for bicycles, and it is richly deserved: The city has a comprehensive, integrated system of trails. Seattle (where I live) is very good as well, though our trails are more fragmented than in Portland.
09-11-06, 07:07 PM
#44
Lurker extraordinaire
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: 4500' and climbing
Posts: 137
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I agree, it seems that the drivers in toronto are very aware of cyclists. These photo's https://www.citynoise.org/article/2770 seem to prove that the driver not only is aware that she is on a bicycle, but seems to be trying to help with some sort of wheel truing .
09-12-06, 04:01 PM
#45
Craig A. Lebowitz
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 372
Bikes: 1984 Trek 520 | 2002 Specialized Hardrock
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Even thought the drivers are somewhat crazy, DC is a good place to be without a car. NoVA and MD are meccas for biking and I think Arlington, VA would be even better than DC because they have a lot of marked, on-road routes.
09-12-06, 04:07 PM
#46
Dances With Cars
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 10,527
Bikes: TBL Onyx Pro(ss converted), Pake SS (starting to look kinda pimped)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Toronto..... I've not bought a tank of gas for over two years.
09-14-06, 03:37 PM
#48
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Lynn, MA
Posts: 472
Bikes: 60's lowrider, 80's Cavaletto Centurion, 94 Specialized Rockhopper sport
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Hey a couple of my buddy's where couriers in Prague. They said its hilly, beautiful and cobblestoney. Though if you dropped your wallet it would be stolen before it hit the ground
09-14-06, 04:44 PM
#49
flux capacitor
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Houston
Posts: 543
Bikes: 2003 Bianchi Eros, 82 Univega (fixed), random year mtb frame for ss
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Platy
I was a bike commuter in Dallas for most of 1981-82. Lived in University Park near SMU, worked in Farmers Branch, and went to graduate school at UTD. Married with children, wife had a car. Cycled about 33 miles a day. Never rode the bus. It worked and it was glorious.
I've visited Dallas a few times since I moved away in 1983. They now have by far the best light rail system in Texas and the bus system seemed to me to be quite adequate. Dallas could work okay for a person who is able to select their residence and job with an eye to being carfree.
Houston, well, ah, hmm. That's a head scratcher for me. They have the start of what could someday be a great light rail system, and they do have a bus system. But where Dallas seems committed to making public transit work, Houston just does not buy into the idea of alternative transportation.
I've visited Dallas a few times since I moved away in 1983. They now have by far the best light rail system in Texas and the bus system seemed to me to be quite adequate. Dallas could work okay for a person who is able to select their residence and job with an eye to being carfree.
Houston, well, ah, hmm. That's a head scratcher for me. They have the start of what could someday be a great light rail system, and they do have a bus system. But where Dallas seems committed to making public transit work, Houston just does not buy into the idea of alternative transportation.
People are just so connected with their cars in this city, it's going to take a while to show them a different, more effecient mode.
09-14-06, 10:26 PM
#50
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Toronto
Posts: 970
Bikes: Miyata 600, Marin Larkspur, Marin Muirwoods, GT tequesta, Fuji Ace
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Roody
"Metal-dependent transportation!"
But didn't your shoes have those little metal eyelets?
But didn't your shoes have those little metal eyelets?