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!