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!
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!
