gerv 

Don't feel too safe.... What would happen if I were driving my Bradley and I rear ended you?

novas

no, but bear in mind your audience. you are, after all, posting in a forum entitled "living car free" whose purpose seems to be an exchange of ideas on how to live car-free, tips for living car-free, and sharing stories that have come out of a car-free experience. (or, car-lite, as the case may be.)

it's really no surprise your comment is met with negativity and skepticism as to the purpose of your posting that entry.

Blue Order

One read of High and Mighty would wipe that grin off your face in regards to the "safety" of your Tahoe.

East Hill

East Hill

keisatsu

$1400 would cover 2 months rent, and enough left over for the power bill.

keisatsu

+1245349055894

wahoonc

That would more than cover my living expenses for a whole month...and I live pretty well!

Aaron

Specialized fan

As in a Bradly tank? What are the chances of that ever happening? I have a better chance of getting hit by some punk ass kid in a rice out Honda than a tank. Are you people serious or is this just one big joke? I even saw a thread about dumpster diving here, yea that's liven the dream, dream big! This is so dam amusing.

Newspaperguy

If size is at stake here, you'll never be the biggest on the road. Your Tahoe is larger and tougher than the Honda on the flatbed truck, but the original Hummer is a lot bigger than your Tahoe. If you upgrade to a Hummer, the local tow truck still has more size and bulk than you do. And the semi coming down the hill is no match for anyone else.

I prefer agility to size and for that reason, I'll take a Honda Civic or another car of similar size over a full-sized truck or SUV any day. The smaller car might lose in a crash, but it's easier for me to avoid that crash in the first place if I have a vehicle I can manoeuvre.

Specialized fan

You are correct, I will never win the size war, nor do I intend to, with that said my vehicle choice provides my family with the best protection for the money. I too am all about avoiding crashes. I do not want to test the airbags and emergency part of Onstar, but it is sure nice to know I have it. As far as the original Hummer that is an exotic high maintenance vehicle that I just don't have deep enough pockets to own one. I know people that have them, and they are money pits. The Tahoe does everything well dispite the cost of ownership as my kids can't be replaced. I would never cart my kids in a bike trailer on a public street. The bike trailer I have only sees duty on a bike path. Today it was 110* and there is no way in hell you would see me on a bike today. My hat's off to those who chose to suffer with a car, I surely wouldn't do it, I might spill my frappuccino!!

Newspaperguy

Where I live, I feel safe on a bike and if I had kids, I'd have no problem carting them in a bike trailer in town. If I lived in a different community, I might make some completely different transportation choices. In some places, drivers tend to be hostile to cyclists. In other areas, there are no practical alternatives to driving.

You've built a good case for the Tahoe, but the cost of running such a vehicle is expensive and becoming more pricey every day. Perhaps the cost is not yet a serious issue for you but it will become more significant in the coming months and years.

Blue Order

Better than the chances of your Tahoe ever being "safe."

Blue Order

Actually, it doesn't. Not even close.

Cyclaholic

How safe are your kids from all the a-holes in Tahoes when they're not in the back? ...I hope your kids like being indoors a lot.

commutr

As the owner of an F350 diesel, I frequently take the bike over the truck to run errands. Yes, the people at the local hardware store think I'm insane for strapping anything to the bike and riding home. But frankly, it's 5km. Big deal. Mainly, I ride to keep in shape and avoid traffic jams in the center of town. Being 'green' and a fred is just a side benefit.

As for why I still own an F350 diesel, it's paid for in full. The cost of fuel, even at $5/gal plus insurance and maintenance is still cheaper than a new or used car payment. When diesel fuel crosses $15/gal, it'll about break even to a payment. However, by $15/gal timeline, I hope public transit is far better.

As for safety, minivans and small cars are safer as they can avoid an accident rather than surviving the crash intact. The NHTSA has study after study showing avoiding an accident in a more nimble vehicle is a far better outcome than trying to survive the crash in a large vehicle.

I live car-light. Car-free isn't practical for me, yet. Also, an $1800/mo mortgage payment is cheap in my area. The average is twice that in and around Boston. I originally bought the F350 when I was racing motorcycles, and kept it as I started racing formula cars. Now I keep it because it's the cheapest option.

Living car-free is a huge adjustment for people. It takes time and patience to do it. I have thoughts more frequently lately about selling the truck and buying nothing. I'd just rely on taxis, public transit, zipcar, etc..and of course, the bike.

Machka 

There was a study done in this area, and it seems that on many roads, motorized traffic (in general, not just SUVs) has increased by 50% in the last year or so.

Scummer

Everytime I see a Tahoe from a roll over accident on a flatbed truck I'm thinking to myself "Damn, what an Idiot, his/her kids would have been much safer in a car with lower center of gravity"

grayloon

Its a good thing this is a bike forum and not a general discussion group. Very little I've seen posted on this thread wins over users of SUV's to bicycling.

zoltani

Thank you for continuing the pointlessness of the thread....good day!

Orgnoi1

While it would be certainly WAY cool to own a small car... its also not really an option for some... in my case we tow a 24ft snowmobile trailer all winter long with 4 sleds in it... to sell my Chevy 2500 Diesel really isnt in the cards even if I wanted to (and I dont... I love that truck) so since my monthly payments are enough to not allow me to buy another car I am just stuck as is... Not everyone has "options" to whether or not they drive their "gas guzzler" but kudos to those that can get around in life with a bicycle... I wish I was that close to work... to home... to where I need to go... <shrugs>

EatMyA**

PWOned

EatMyA**

to all the " I drive my SUV because I need to " whinners

HTFU! rent a U-haul

aMull

SUV owners make me laugh.

JosephPaul86

Screw that. I could pay for three months rent, groceries, and utilities. I am a frugal ******* though, and share a house payment with two roommates.

One of my neighbors just put a huge suspension lift on his v10 Ford F250. And when i was riding home i think I saw some 4' tall tires in his garage. Why am I living in Texas?

JosephPaul86

Move closer to work? Or work closer to home.

And as for the snow mobiles, get a dog sled and make some new best friends(dogs).

And don't tell me it can't be done. I live in a suburb in Texas and managed to go from driving a modified F150 to being car-free over night. Yeah, there are some hardships but the benefits are amazing.