[Brewtaster]

I am 25 now, and had a car from the age of 16-23. Its been a definite adjustment not having a car, but I seem to do fine on my bike most of the time, and public transit makes up for the rest of my travels. Doesnt hurt havin friends with cars either, just in case.

[cbman]

Who could resist wheeling in a big old Jeep???

[Stinkfist]

I lived car free for about 2 1/2 years in my twenties because I couldn't afford one. I had to let the car go so that I didn't have to pay for gas, insurance, etc. and I could save up some money. Actually that is the whole reason I ever started becoming interested in bikes. I have a clunker of a car now and a nice Trek Madona 5.2 whose name is Madonna (Madge for short). I put more time and energy into my bike than I ever have a car and that's the way I like it!

[Tarukai]

Originally Posted by Dean

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

x3 on this. Even if I lived in the city, I would still keep the Jeep, because I have too much fun with it to NOT have it.

It'll get better as it gets lifted and adjusted.

I've considered it, and would absolutely try it if I didn't live in the suburbs. If I go to live in a city I might try it for a month or two and leave my Jeep with the parents, but who knows. I might need it for hauling things even in one.

[digitalmouse]

I've been car free for over 9 years, since I moved to Europe in 2000. In much of Europe, cycling is a very common way to get around town, and usually the bus, train, and metro/subway services fill in the gaps where a cycle becomes impractical (such as covering a long distance very quickly).

Of course I am very proud of where I currently live - Copenhagen. It has the largest *daily* cycle-to-work population for it's size - each and every day 400,000-500,000 people ride their bicycle to work or school in Copenhagen. Forty years ago Copenhagen was just as car-clogged as anywhere else but now 55% of the population choose the bicycle. 37% in the Greater Metropolitan area.

Since I switched over to recumbent trikes in 2006, I've found a whole new appreciation for cycling. A 'bent is more comfortable for me, so I can travel farther and (usually) faster, and therefore get more done. My little Anthrotech trike serves as the daily commuter (10 km per day), shopping cart, lumber truck, moving van, and long distance tourer (two annual trips of over 1,000 km/600 miles).

And I am glad to see more people looking at recumbent cycling in general: there are several families with trikes in the area that carry a kid on the back-rack *and* often pull a trailer with another kid inside, plus groceries, and they enjoy doing it.

With the exception of missing my motorcycling days, I am quite happy to give up the auto. I haven't kept track, but I am certain I've saved gobs of cash by not having to pay for gas, car-insurance/car-taxes, and vehicle maintenance.

Now all I need to do is save up for a Bionx or similar electric motor, and I'm all set!

[Comko]

That's awesome, digitalmouse!

[cleric]

I used to not have a car because I live in a small town and could cycle where I wanted but if there were those "No Bicycles or Skateboard" signs in certain places I could rollerblade there anyway lol

[Sean]

Originally Posted by katvando

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

usps.

[Angelica]

OH! How I wish I lived car free! Gas prices are OUTRAGEOUS!!!

[Burr]

Originally Posted by digitalmouse

With the exception of missing my motorcycling days, I am quite happy to give up the auto. I haven't kept track, but I am certain I've saved gobs of cash by not having to pay for gas, car-insurance/car-taxes, and vehicle maintenance.

Now all I need to do is save up for a Bionx or similar electric motor, and I'm all set!

Sounds wonderful, where did you grow-up?