Would You Trade Your Car for a Bike (at Tour de Fat)!

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by dan brown on June 17, 2010 at 11:08am

I challenge some on the fence to consider this
(I ditched my car in Jan 2009 and have not regretted it yet)

consider all the $$$ costs of owning a car :

gas
city sticker, residential permits
insurance
maintainence
parking meters
tolls
car washes
parking tickets (incl. those red light camera tickets (evil))
etc etc

then consider the intangibles :

worrying about it getting hit / vandalized
where did you park it ?
sitting in traffic on a nice day as bikes fly by you
etc etc


and (IMHO) between :

owning a bike(s)
a Chicago Plus CTA Card
iGo / car rental
METRA / AMTRAK / megabus, etc.
cabs (last resort)

to me it has been a no brainer. being car-free has been both very liberating and
less stressful.

finally - it makes it so much easier for me to justify almost any bike-related purchase
when I see my friends spending so much $$$ on car-related things that never ever
hit my budget.

just my $.02

Adriana said:

I find this song far more contextually inspiring...not to say that How soon is now? lacks inspiration. Just an odd choice for the topic...the title perhaps, but still an odd choice.


T.C. O'Rourke said:

Sorry, I was merely thinking that "in an emergency" you could call a cab.

Oddly, quoting Morris was supposed to be an inspiration. Nevermind...

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by dan brown on June 17, 2010 at 1:18pm

I don't hate anyone (well, not quite).

I cannot fault any cyclist or chainlinker for owning / driving a car. As long as they spend time here;
I love 'em all.

there are times when cars are absolutely needed.

DB

Adriana said:

All valid points! Yay to you and all those who have gone or will go carless. Though I am weary of putting anything or anyone on a pedestal... Too many are looking to be idolized, the most charitable deed is done anonymously while most are fumbling for credit. My point is that every little bit helps :o) It's not about excuses. I am very aware of all my options. I do consider all these things Dan. I know it is; like most luxuries, about convenience. We all excel and fall short in various areas in our life. Don't hate me, I am human and I need to be loved, just like everybody else does. ok just had to throw that in cause I'm a big dork haha.

dan brown said:

I challenge some on the fence to consider this
(I ditched my car in Jan 2009 and have not regretted it yet)

consider all the $$$ costs of owning a car :

gas
city sticker, residential permits
insurance
maintainence
parking meters
tolls
car washes
parking tickets (incl. those red light camera tickets (evil))
etc etc

then consider the intangibles :

worrying about it getting hit / vandalized
where did you park it ?
sitting in traffic on a nice day as bikes fly by you
etc etc


and (IMHO) between :

owning a bike(s)
a Chicago Plus CTA Card
iGo / car rental
METRA / AMTRAK / megabus, etc.
cabs (last resort)

to me it has been a no brainer. being car-free has been both very liberating and
less stressful.

finally - it makes it so much easier for me to justify almost any bike-related purchase
when I see my friends spending so much $$$ on car-related things that never ever
hit my budget.

just my $.02

Adriana said:

I find this song far more contextually inspiring...not to say that How soon is now? lacks inspiration. Just an odd choice for the topic...the title perhaps, but still an odd choice.


T.C. O'Rourke said:

Sorry, I was merely thinking that "in an emergency" you could call a cab.

Oddly, quoting Morris was supposed to be an inspiration. Nevermind...

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mike Argeropoulos on June 17, 2010 at 1:32pm

Driving in your car, Oh, never never drop me home....
Anyway, whoever wants to win a marin Kentfield should be heading down to the Bike Away From Work party at the ING DIRECT Cafe at 21 E Chestnut, enter to win. Also, when you enter the cafe, you might automatically win something better than a Fat Tire. How about a cold Goose Island 312. I just counted 120 in the fridge. And it doesn't get tucked in very far. Bike and drink locally in the Gold Coast tonite!

Last Smiths joke, anyone want to parse whether the leather is worn on the passenger seat?

dan brown said:

I don't hate anyone (well, not quite).

I cannot fault any cyclist or chainlinker for owning / driving a car. As long as they spend time here;
I love 'em all.

there are times when cars are absolutely needed.

DB

Adriana said:

All valid points! Yay to you and all those who have gone or will go carless. Though I am weary of putting anything or anyone on a pedestal... Too many are looking to be idolized, the most charitable deed is done anonymously while most are fumbling for credit. My point is that every little bit helps :o) It's not about excuses. I am very aware of all my options. I do consider all these things Dan. I know it is; like most luxuries, about convenience. We all excel and fall short in various areas in our life. Don't hate me, I am human and I need to be loved, just like everybody else does. ok just had to throw that in cause I'm a big dork haha.

dan brown said:

I challenge some on the fence to consider this
(I ditched my car in Jan 2009 and have not regretted it yet)

consider all the $$$ costs of owning a car :

gas
city sticker, residential permits
insurance
maintainence
parking meters
tolls
car washes
parking tickets (incl. those red light camera tickets (evil))
etc etc

then consider the intangibles :

worrying about it getting hit / vandalized
where did you park it ?
sitting in traffic on a nice day as bikes fly by you
etc etc


and (IMHO) between :

owning a bike(s)
a Chicago Plus CTA Card
iGo / car rental
METRA / AMTRAK / megabus, etc.
cabs (last resort)

to me it has been a no brainer. being car-free has been both very liberating and
less stressful.

finally - it makes it so much easier for me to justify almost any bike-related purchase
when I see my friends spending so much $$$ on car-related things that never ever
hit my budget.

just my $.02

Adriana said:

I find this song far more contextually inspiring...not to say that How soon is now? lacks inspiration. Just an odd choice for the topic...the title perhaps, but still an odd choice.


T.C. O'Rourke said:

Sorry, I was merely thinking that "in an emergency" you could call a cab.

Oddly, quoting Morris was supposed to be an inspiration. Nevermind...

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on June 17, 2010 at 5:27pm

Adriana said:

Oh my how charming, he knows so much about these things...yes I will probably get hit by a ten ton truck or a double decker bus; on my bicycle though,

Yes, because bicycles are inherently dangerous.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by T.C. O'Rourke on June 18, 2010 at 1:43am

What has been implied here?

P.S. Please join my fan club.

P.P.S. Scrap your car and get righteous.

Adriana said:

Too many are looking to be idolized, the most charitable deed is done anonymously while most are fumbling for credit.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on June 18, 2010 at 3:11am

What has been implied here?

That if you ditch your car, and discover that you're much happier without it, and feel like you're a better person than you were before you made the break, that you aren't ever allowed to tell anyone about it because it might make them uncomfortable?

T.C. O'Rourke said:

What has been implied here?

P.S. Please join my fan club.

P.P.S. Scrap your car and get righteous.

Adriana said:

Too many are looking to be idolized, the most charitable deed is done anonymously while most are fumbling for credit.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Bikefreeek on June 24, 2010 at 9:38am

Heya folks,

there's still opportunity to trade your car for an awesome New Belgium custom commuter. I applaud all of you who have divorced your cars and appreciate the experiences shared about how life is better with out a car in Chicago. If you have ever considered ditching your car now is an excellent time to do it!

Check it out...

If you're serious about this contact me and I'll take you to dinner tonight with the folks who will be trading you the bike (good food and beer at a fine dining establishment).

Hope to hear from you soon...

• ▶ Reply

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