CAR FREE

i am a part time commuter and recreational rider and have been seriously thinking of being more car free. we own 3 cars and would real like to hear stories, advice.

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Permalink Reply by Skip Montanaro 0mi on May 29, 2014 at 1:15pm

We have one car (VW Golf TDi) which my wife uses for the most part. Between the two of us we probably have 10 bikes (it varies from week to week sometimes). Most of them are mine. Depending on the weather, I choose between three different bikes to ride to work. I have an old (rusty) Schwinn Racer I ride to the Metra on the days I take the train.  We also share a bike with an Xtracycle Free Radical, which is handy for running errands if you need to haul things. (I've even picked up several bags of mulch with it.) We each have a bike up in Michigan for summer riding up there. (She's up there a lot this summer. I'm taking the train up on weekends.) Then there are the bikes I'm working on, or which are just passing through on their way to someone else...

If it was just me, I'd ditch the car and just use Zipcar or similar service when I needed a car.

Permalink Reply by Simon Phearson on May 29, 2014 at 3:46pm

IMO, if you're already savvy on commuting (even if only part-time), you've got the basic skillset you need to be car-free. It's mostly just about taking the bike, then, instead of driving.

I think the biggest adjustment, for me, in going car-free, is the grocery shopping. I end up going more frequently, and grabbing fewer things on a trip. If you're used to the weekend haul - that might be a bit of an adjustment. I've also never had to deal with kids and the lack of a car. My brother's family of four commutes everywhere by bike - my brother, his wife, and then each of his two kids, who are each in their young adolescence now. They seem to be making it work, but I don't have any close insight on it.

Basically, it's a little like anything bike-related - the way to learn is to jump in and improvise as you go. I'm guessing that your circumstances are such that your solutions will be relatively unique - car-free is easy for me because I don't live anywhere where I could store three cars if I wanted to. So I would just say, don't be afraid! Give it a go! And if it doesn't work out, no biggie. 

Permalink Reply by Mike Zumwalt on May 29, 2014 at 4:26pm
I've done it for 10 years. You can borrow a friends? or use i-go and zip car.
Permalink Reply by KayCee on May 29, 2014 at 4:43pm

We sold our only car in August- we are walking distance to Target, work, and trains, have a Zipcar membership, and have learned to make the most of my monthly business trips (car rental involved, usually about 5 days.)  I have two young kids, and they ride with me.  

The things that make this doable for us are location, location, cargo bike, and location...  I'm also self-employed so I don't have to be somewhere at a certain time very often, which I realize is a luxury- so when I do and it's super crappy out or I'm really pressed for time I can splurge on a cab or use Lyft.  

We do get rides with relatives on occasion and it has made it a little difficult to visit family in the 'burbs on a whim, Winter was rough, and working around kids being tired makes a little bit of a difference, but no regrets here.  It all seems pretty minor compared to what we're saving and what we've gained (better knowledge of the city, lots of time outside, trips to parks/museums we never would have noticed, a love of our family time while commuting.)

I can get a TON of groceries on our Yuba Mundo, and I make a Costco run when the opportunity presents, my kids and I think the bike is a blast, and I'm shocked every time I rent a car and pay for gas.

If you had three cars, you may want more bikes to fit your needs as well ;)  If you hate it, you can always buy a car again.  Try it for the summer! I'm smiling every time I see a "Get your City Sticker Here" sign because I don't have to pay for one.

Permalink Reply by mark stetson on May 29, 2014 at 5:32pm

A rack and a pair of Jannd or Cannondale grocery bag panniers will haul a lot of groceries.  Although I have a car, I managed not to drive it from mid November until April (when I drove it to a cycling event).  Making it a priority to not drive but still needing to eat forces me to get out and ride the bike when I wouldn't otherwise.

Permalink Reply by Jerry Lee on May 30, 2014 at 10:21pm

 I haven't used any of my cars for the past 7 months, I commute from Andersonville to Franklin Park, 5 days a week. In bad winter days I take bus, blue line and then Pace, coming home I use taxi blue line and cta bus. Now in better weather, rain included, I use above methods plus biking about 6 miles. Total trip is 18 miles one way. I have a choice of 15 bikes to use for my self. Soon, I will bike all the way to and from work, time  involved between 1.5 hours to 2.5 hours. When I leave work at midnight, I take different routes for a better variety, going thru different neigborhoods.

   I use the bike to grocery shop(4 blocks away) but have to shop Saturday and sunday to carry all the groceries. I am considering building a bike just for grocery shopping and being about carry more load.

Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on May 31, 2014 at 9:43am

5 years ago my son totaled my car. When I got the insurance check I realized I did not need a car and deposited it and began commuting by bike. Never looked back. Best thing I ever did. All my errands and crocery shopping is done by bike. I have no parking fees, traffic tickets, car insurance, gas or oil costs and car payments. I am healthier and leave a small carbon footprint.

Permalink Reply by Marc A. Irwin on June 1, 2014 at 1:02am

Adapt by buying more accessories for a bike which will give you more use.  I started replacing my car when gas reached $2 a gallon permanently.  Like you, I had been a frequent commuter all my life, at that point I bought a dedicated commuting bike, folding baskets, lights, and studded tires for the winter.  It later morphed into a really nice upgrade and now I drive when I go out of town.  I buy $20 in gas ever 6-8 weeks.

Permalink Reply by Chitown_Mike on June 6, 2014 at 7:06am

My wife and I are in the midst of getting rid of 1 car and going to 2.  I am also tired of working on said car!  I just picked up a brand new Trek at VCC and haven't looked back.  A bit of a crash course this past week, but looking forward we will definitely be able to manage it with some more organization and schedule planning.  

But I am also too interested in hearing about what others have face and overcome.

Permalink Reply by Michelle Milham on June 6, 2014 at 8:14am

Marc that is a PRETTY bike. Somas tempt me every time. 

Permalink Reply by Marc A. Irwin on June 6, 2014 at 9:45am


The big challenge I think most people need to deal with is being totally practical.  Have at least one bike that is reliable, all purpose transportation for the 5-10 mile ride.  Something that is comfortable, durable and yet will be entertaining for all the utilitarian stuff.  You kinda have to put recreation waay back in the back of your head when making this choice.

Marc
Chitown_Mike said:

My wife and I are in the midst of getting rid of 1 car and going to 2.  I am also tired of working on said car!  I just picked up a brand new Trek at VCC and haven't looked back.  A bit of a crash course this past week, but looking forward we will definitely be able to manage it with some more organization and schedule planning.  

But I am also too interested in hearing about what others have face and overcome.

Permalink Reply by Chitown_Mike on June 6, 2014 at 10:51am

Marc, thanks for the tip.  Actually I picked up a brand new Trek 1.2 for commuting, group rides, and as my "working out" since I'll cycle really early morning.  My all arounder is my old 1988 Trek 800 that has been purpose built to be a commuter, hauler, grocery-getter, and will be the winter ride it just needs some new wheels on it, or at least a new rear hub and a spoked rim.


Marc A. Irwin said:


The big challenge I think most people need to deal with is being totally practical.  Have at least one bike that is reliable, all purpose transportation for the 5-10 mile ride.  Something that is comfortable, durable and yet will be entertaining for all the utilitarian stuff.  You kinda have to put recreation waay back in the back of your head when making this choice.

Marc
Chitown_Mike said:

My wife and I are in the midst of getting rid of 1 car and going to 2.  I am also tired of working on said car!  I just picked up a brand new Trek at VCC and haven't looked back.  A bit of a crash course this past week, but looking forward we will definitely be able to manage it with some more organization and schedule planning.  

But I am also too interested in hearing about what others have face and overcome.

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