by Chauncey Dumfry

Created on: June 23, 2008   Last Updated: April 28, 2009

The key to living without a car is location. Being human in the world today requires a few things. Number one is usually a job. Some folks are lucky enough to either be independently wealthy or successfully self employed, but for the vast majority of us we need a job and we need to get there. The average driver uses their car to get to work and back, and that task consumes most of the driving done. So if you can walk to work and back you barely need a car. Bicycles are a fantastic means of transportation.

We've all heard plenty of times that in addition to the freedom from gasoline powered car, you get exercise and you don't have to pay insurance premiums. grocery shopping can be tough without a car as you can only ride a bike around with so much weight on it and you can only carry so much stuff while walking, but many large grocery stores offer delivery services. Everything involved in owning a car costs money, from buying it to filling it up to maintaining its working condition to insuring it. A bicycle requires no insurance, no fueling, and repairs rarely exceed one hundred dollars. It may take longer to bike somewhere than to drive there, but you're outside, it's exhilarating. It sure isn't any fun to bike in the rain, but it also isn't fun paying to fill your gas tank.

If you live in a city, it should be easy enough to utilize public transportation, I know that a lot of times it can be frustrating waiting for a bus thats late while you are already late to work, but most public transit systems can be figured out, some buses/trains are always late, so compensate for it. It only takes a couple weeks to figure out.

Once you get used to not having a car it can become quite enjoyable. I often read stories about people spending money that they need to spend on credit card bills on filling their gas tank. Americans are all worked up about rising oil prices and a slowing economy, not me. I haven't spent a dime on gas in the last few years, and that is because my primary mode of transportation is a bicycle.

Unfortunately the general attitude towards exercise is that it is something to be done in free time, as a leisure activity. I say ditch your expensive gym membership and start biking to work. You'll find much more money in your pocket and you'll have more free time for relaxing. It really feels good to ride a bike past a gas station advertising prices higher than four dollars per gallon. The only thing I buy at gas stations is a snack and a bottle of water, since that's all you need to go an additional thirty miles on a bike, and always remember, shoes will get you anywhere.

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