[adventurer]

I've always been somewhat interested in giving up my car for good, but I'm not sure. Anyone ever done this?

[chefmike]

Not likely where I live... but I am considering more frequent commuting to work, as it is a great ride. This is more of a bump post as I am interested in the topic.

What kind of bike/equipment are you thinking of using?

[BigDumbBear]

I couldn't give up cars completely myself... But I have talked to a few guys that don't own one themselves. When I was in Boston, MA, I talked to a few guys that were car-less. One guy was a bike messenger that ran a fixed gear and was on it 40+ hours a week and just walked or took the train "T" to get where else he needed to go. Another was a guy that rode his fixed gear bike from Maine to Boston, went to school, then rode back home every summer. Never got a clear answer on the distance traveled in that trip though. It's quite do-able and I'd love to do so myself.... It just won't happen for me. I love driving too much.

[riderman14]

i have been car free for 3 years now.it's not so hard if you live in a climate like i do.i do everything on "one" of my bikes.as i have found out,it's a lot easier to do it with a few different styles.i have road,mountain,hybreds,and beach cruisers.they all serve their purposes.i also have a "big tow" by yak. that i use to carry large items around with. i do have to sometimes get an occasional ride in a car from one of my friends,but they seem to understand me and appreciate my concerne for the inviornment.besides,using the barter system with them,likecookouts,fresh fish,or anything i can offer works too! ride on

[BigDumbBear]

Originally Posted by riderman14

i have been car free for 3 years now.it's not so hard if you live in a climate like i do.i do everything on "one" of my bikes.as i have found out,it's a lot easier to do it with a few different styles.i have road,mountain,hybreds,and beach cruisers.they all serve their purposes.i also have a "big tow" by yak. that i use to carry large items around with. i do have to sometimes get an occasional ride in a car from one of my friends,but they seem to understand me and appreciate my concerne for the inviornment.besides,using the barter system with them,likecookouts,fresh fish,or anything i can offer works too! ride on

My hat is off to you. I do what I can on the single speed, but haven't got to that point... probably never will.

[katvando]

Originally Posted by BigDumbBear

I couldn't give up cars completely myself... But I have talked to a few guys that don't own one themselves. When I was in Boston, MA, I talked to a few guys that were car-less. One guy was a bike messenger that ran a fixed gear and was on it 40+ hours a week and just walked or took the train "T" to get where else he needed to go. Another was a guy that rode his fixed gear bike from Maine to Boston, went to school, then rode back home every summer. Never got a clear answer on the distance traveled in that trip though. It's quite do-able and I'd love to do so myself.... It just won't happen for me. I love driving too much.

How the heck did he get his clothes and stuff he needed home for the summer?

[skunky]

I like to not be sweaty at work, this could be achieved with a bike motor, however, riding a bike with a gas motor on it has laws that are unclear to me, does it have to be above a certain CC amount or HP amount before laws apply in Texas?

[BigDumbBear]

Originally Posted by katvando

How the heck did he get his clothes and stuff he needed home for the summer?

He could have used a trailer or had a stash in both places... Never thought to ask that part.

[GreenDreams]

Hi Adventurer, great question!

I have always been car-free since being away from parents (I'm 30 now, never had a license). Pretty easy for me - was in the arctic (fly-in only, virtually no roads) when I came to driving age. Then when I lived in the city I just walked and used public bus transit. Now I live in a very small town that reaches amenities within a kilometer. Two things that I want to stress as being very helpful toward this is 1. A trailer to carry what you need. I used to put all things/groceries in a hikers backpack - can be hard on the shoulders and you can only pack in so much, so I was in the market for a trailer and boy am I glad I found the one I did - as opposed to the more conventional ones. The "fold-it" is aluminum, can hold lots, up to 300lbs., folds for storage. Originally purposed for a garden/yard cart, you buy the optional bike hitch that attaches to seat post.

2. If you live in a winter environment like I do, Nokkian studded tires are awesome to ride easily over snow and ice...I have the Hakka's, they've got over 300 studs per tire.

It's quite fun to blaze the streets in the -20'sC. Also, easier for me 'cause we work at home and don't need to travel to a job. But really, a lot of people could be car free - it's really the want of it that creates the real possibility.
A lot of people -especially starting out- find freedom in driving a motor vehicle, but truly there's a lot of freedom to be had not paying for all the bills and gas - and the knowledge that you're not polluting.

I'll live soon on the east coast, where the commute for amenities with be greater than now - around 15km, so considering I'll be driving up a mountain to come back home, I'm really looking forward to using an electric bike using the "bionX" system...that'll be fun.

Best wishes; most especially if you do go car-free! ---GD

[TxCyclist]

Would be nice to simplify but it's not possible for me with kids.

Plus I doubt I could ever not have a Jeep. It's my man toy.