Editor’s note: This is a guest post from Tammy Strobel of Rowdy Kittens.
Americans have a love affair with cars. Cars symbolize freedom, wealth, and a carefree lifestyle. Consumer culture has created an illusion that we “need” cars. Rather that giving people freedom, cars saddle us with incredible debt, constrain life choices and hamper good health.
Going car-lite is one of the best decisions you’ll ever make. Below are a few options to get you started.
1. Start small.
Selling our cars was part of our downsizing process and it was one of the best financial and health related decisions we’ve ever made. It took over two years to shed our cars and downsize our debt. So if you’re thinking of going car-lite, start small.
Micro-action: Leave your car in the garage for a week and do all your local errands by foot, bike or via public transit. Go for a test ride and see how you do.
2. Do a cost-benefit analysis.
Even if you’ve paid off your car, do you really know the true cost? According to “How to Live Well Without Owning a Car”:
- Americans spend 1/5 of their income on cars.
- An American Automobile Association study pointed out that the average American spends $8,410 per year to own a vehicle. That’s $700 per month.
- The figure includes car payments, insurance, gas, oil, car washes, registration fees, taxes, parking, tools and repairs.
Car ownership is the second largest household expense in the U.S. According to Bikes at Work, Inc. “the average household spends almost as much on their cars as they do on food and health care combined for their entire family.” One of the best money saving strategies available to you is going car-lite.
Micro-action: Add up the true cost of your car(s). How much do you spend every year on car payments, maintenance, gas, insurance, etc.?
3. Consider your health.
The rates of active transportation have declined significantly in the U.S. People are more likely to jump into their car and drive 2 miles to the store, rather than walking or biking. As active transportation rates have declined “we’ve seen a dramatic increase in childhood obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and other health risks. In fact, our children may be the first generation to have a shorter lifespan than their parents.”
Micro-action: Think about how much time you spend sitting everyday. Can you change this behavior by biking or walking more?
4. Going car-lite with kids.
Going car-lite with kids is challenging. But don’t let that stop you. There are many people who have gone car-free or car-lite with kids and rave about the benefits.
- You don’t have to spend $5,000 on a bike to get around safely. There is an abundance of family cargo bikes, child seats, and trailer options to consider. Totcycle.com is a great place to start poking around and exploring options.
- Don’t forget to connect with parents who have gone car-lite or car-free. Ask questions about bikes, gear, challenges and successes.
Micro-action: Read What is this thing we call safe? and In Praise of Car-Light Families.
5. Go multi-modal.
Biking isn’t the only way to get around without a car. Consider taking the bus, train, or walking to your destination. Taking a multi-modal approach to transportation is a great solution and will make your life a lot easier. For instance, on days when it’s pouring rain or snowing you can take the bus.
Micro-action: Research the types of public transportation options in your home town.
6. Truly experience your city by walking and biking.
You don’t have to travel the world to go on an adventure. There are adventure opportunities waiting in your backyard. Going car-lite is an amazing way to see your city in a new light.
For instance, as a result of selling my car(s) my world view has shifted. Rather than rushing from place to place, I slow down and observe my surroundings, patronize local business and say hi to my neighbors.
By biking and walking your city, you can truly experience it.
Micro-action: Tour your city by foot or by bike.
7. Get connected to your local community.
The U.S. has seen a resurgence in cycling. As gas prices continue to rise, new community groups have been founded in cities across the U.S. So get plugged into your local community. If your community doesn’t have an organization devoted to cycling, maybe you should start one?
Closing thoughts…
Going car-lite or car-free is possible. Changing my transportation choices has been large part of my simple living journey and it’s improved my life for the better. I’m happier, healthier and finally have a savings account.
***
Tammy Strobel blogs at RowdyKittens about social change through simple living and is the author of You Can Buy Happiness (and It’s Cheap).
Tony says
Interesting, I’ve recently been working through the costs associated with my car and they surprised me – and I track my finances pretty closely I can tell you :) I’ll be posting more info on my blog on that topic in due course. Currently I only really use my car at weekends, as I work from home.
I know the article was go lite rather than free, well I am lite and looking at going free. I’m nearly there, but there are a couple of issues I haven’t quite worked out yet. Two problems I keep running into are lack of cycle lanes (and dangerous, narrow roads) and dire public transport here in the UK. I was forced off the roads before by cars, back in my triathlon days, and am not looking forward to facing that battle again.
Great article though, thanks for posting. p.s. I love Portland!
Daniel Shaw says
As you’ve mentioned, there are many, many good reasons for bicycle commuting, recreational bicycling and creating a strong bike culture in general. Hopefully a couple with resonate with everyone and motivate more people to give up their cars even here in central Europe.
Dave Hill says
While I love the concept, I researched the car free idea. I live 20 miles away from work and there are no bus routes or rail links out here. Shame really.
On the flip side the car costs me very little. Petrol over here is $6.71 per gallon, so I run my car on LPG which halves the cost. I paid for my car second hand in cash so it isn’t costing me interest. Running on LPG offers me a tax break as the emissions are much lower. The car is also low on insurance too.
Very nice for those who live and work close together, good luck to them! Just offering an alternative to those who are stuck using the car maybe a good idea.
Rachel says
I feel I should comment just to represent the car-free. I live in a city with a good subway and bus system, and between that and my feet I can get nearly everywhere. NEARLY. Last fall, after many years here, I finally bought a bicycle. It’s a beautiful bike, I dutifully took a “how to ride safely in traffic” class, and now I’m trying to train myself to recognize opportunities to ride. :)
In general, I consider living without a car to be a wonderful life-hack, even though I do carry heavy things around in my backpack more often than my car-enabled friends. (Hey, at least it keeps me mindful of what I’m bringing home)
Ditto to what Michael Rakowski said — Zipcar is another great option, for those in urban areas who need a car every now and then.
Tammy Strobel says
@Michael – Ohhh I forgot about Zipcar. I talked about car sharing services in my book and Zipcar is fantastic. :)
@Brett – I know what you mean. The stat’s on cars are staggering. And those are only numbers related to the individual. The amount of money spent on maintaining roads, dealing with environmental problems and poor health due to cars is astounding. If you have a chance check out How to Live Well Without Owning a Car. http://www.amazon.com/How-Live-Well-Without-Owning/dp/1580087574 From what I remember the author has a chapter devoted to “societal costs” of car ownership.
@Jarrod – Thanks! Where in the south do you live? If you have a chance check out Bike Skirt – http://bikeskirt.com/. I believe the bloggers are based out of Alabama.
@Dave – Congratulations on the big move and good luck going car-lite / car-free. I think you’ll love it. If you have any questions about bike related stuff, feel free to email me. :)
Thanks everyone for leaving such thoughtful comments!
All the best,
Tammy
Dave Thielen says
Thanks for writing this post, Tammy!
I just moved a week and a half ago from the suburbs of Cincinnati into a more urban part of the city, and going car-lite is one of my primary goals now. I already love being able to walk to so many places. Taking the bus more is my next step. When my fiancee and I get married this summer we’re planning to ditch her car and share mine. Should be interesting to see how that works out.
Jarrod@ Optimistic Journey says
Great statistics Tammy!
So whether I’m done paying off my car or not, it probably means I’m still spending a hefty amount of change out of my pocket between insurance, gas, oil, and the rest of the bit huh?
It’s so true, we have become conditioned to believe that we need our cars, especially here in the south. We don’t even have a transit like New Yorkan’s do. At least in New York, the majority of the population is more accustomed to taking the transit. Anyhow, interesting article.
Thanks for sharing!!!
Brett says
“Americans spend 1/5 of their income on cars.” That hurts my brain to think about. I already felt like every time I drive my car I can hear the money draining out of my wallet.
Michael Rakowski says
I like these tips. I’d like to add that there are some interesting new car sharing services out there like Zipcar that let you get access to a car when you need one. You have to live in a city that has it but if you do it can help fill those gaps where you need more than a bike but don’t want to own a car.
Tammy Strobel says
@Sarah! Ohhh yikes! I haven’t been to Chicago, but one of my favorite bloggers lives there and she rides all the time. Her blog has a wealth of information on cycling and navigating the Chicago streets. It’s called Let’s Go Ride a Bike: http://letsgorideabike.com/blog/
I love this article too: “Roll Models: Joanna Goddard, Biking Mama-to-Be” http://letsgorideabike.com/blog/2010/05/roll-models-joanna-goddard-biking-mama-to-be/
And Chicago is home to the Active Transportation Alliance: http://www.activetrans.org/ Biking might not be a good option for you right now. But consider getting involved with some of ATA’s letter writing campaigns. :)
All the best,
Tammy