No Car, No Problem: The Benefits of Car-Free Living (items, old, money)

[Escort Rider]

So much emotionality on so many forums and threads! Saying that people are addicted to their cars, while true in a narrow technical sense, is really counter-productive because it betrays a holier-than-thou mindset and makes the unstated connection to being addicted to heroin or tobacco or alcohol. What a relief to read the rationality of people like Formercalifornian, who avoid such loaded words while still advocating for reduced or eliminated car usage. You could say we are all addicted to the things we are used to and think we cannot do without (whether we can actually do without them or not): Running water, heating in our homes, having a refrigerator, etc. A car-free person may be "addicted" to his bicycle, but I would never phrase it like that. Some of you fanatics out there need to lighten up.

[plaidmom]

Originally Posted by Escort Rider

A car-free person may be "addicted" to his bicycle, but I would never phrase it like that.

Guilty. Totally.

Hello, my name is plaidmom and I am a bicycle-holic.

[GoCUBS1]

I think I'm "addicted" to scooters. I bought my first Honda scooter at 16 and used it all through H.S., college, city life... I now own a Yamaha Zuma125... A fuel-injected 2 seater w/125 mpg.... Goes 70 mph, little maintenance w/the fuel injection, long life, better for the environment, unbelievable gas savings, easy to park, and lots of FUN. If it weren't for Chicago winters, I'd drive them year round (although I often do drive in the winter if there is no ice)...

[GoCUBS1]

Originally Posted by Escort Rider

Saying that people are addicted to their cars, while true in a narrow technical sense, is really counter-productive because it betrays a holier-than-thou mindset and makes the unstated connection to being addicted to heroin or tobacco or alcohol.

Ok, I haven't read through this entire thread, but do people seriously make the connection to heroin addiction? Now what about being addicted to love?

[Escort Rider]

I said "unstated". The point was "addiction" was used in a pejorative sense.

[ryjb]

Both my wife and I are 20 miles each to our place of work. We also live in a town with limited resources. We drive together as much as possible to cut down on expense. We also try and do our grocery shopping after work. I wish we could get by with one vehicle. At the current time it just is not possible.

[formercalifornian]

Originally Posted by ryjb

Both my wife and I are 20 miles each to our place of work. We also live in a town with limited resources. We drive together as much as possible to cut down on expense. We also try and do our grocery shopping after work. I wish we could get by with one vehicle. At the current time it just is not possible.

When we started our car-lite journey, our very first step was to start combining trips, planning our routes to prevent back-tracking. I think you're on the right track!

[Sensei Han]

I am a cyclist and go everywhere locally I can on my bikes.

I plan on buying a scooter too, because some things I may need might not fair well carrying on bike. I may have to go further out or have a time constraint.

I currently have no car.

[Grandpa Pipes]

Originally Posted by Sensei Han

I am a cyclist and go everywhere locally I can on my bikes.

I plan on buying a scooter too, because some things I may need might not fair well carrying on bike. I may have to go further out or have a time constraint.

I currently have no car.

Rather that mess with a nasty smelly gasoline powered scooter consider building ,or buying, a bicycle trailer for all those items to large & bulky for the bike itself.

[gman6974]

I love my trucks and I love driving them. There is no way I would rather ride a bicycle than drive a vehicle. Unless it's at the beach or vacation. Thats just me.