Obviously if you live 30min-1hr by car away from work you aren't going to ride a bike. I don't think everyone can go without a car but why not live closer to work etc instead of just complaining that you can't ride a bike? I live within walking distance to entertainment, shopping, and places to eat and a 15 min cycling trip to work. I live in Kansas City and haven't driven a car in 6 months (and mine isn't a Mercedes but a Honda). Since my car has been paid off I would only pay for insurance, gas, maintenance and parking. That would total about $400 a month. That is a lot of money that I can use elsewhere. The bike also gets me places faster than the bus. If I need to because of weather I will take it though. I don't think the point of this article is that everyone has to ride a bike but the fact that the little things can make a big difference? Its true.

P.S. - Thank God I don't have kids but picking up the ladies is kind of awkward

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For christsakes, people, she never said that everyone should give up their cars, and it is completely obvious that it would not work for everyone due to location, poor public trans or occupation.

I too have greatly reduced my reliance on my vehicle, I bike or ride a bus nearly every day, my truck is only used about every third or fourth day and, just like Sarah, thanks to the exercise I'm much more healthy and happy than I had been. But for now I can't quite give up the truck.

Sarah was simply pointing out the benefits of this healthy alternative. She wasn't preachy or accusing about it in the least. I am surprised at the level of animosity in some of the comments here. Perhaps they indicate feelings of latent guilt?

-- Rick Riehle

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Let me just be the first here to say that I think what you are doing is great. Like many before me here I don't think I could do it, specifically because I live on an island. Unlike the others here I would never make my inability to do something similar into a negative jab at you or your family. It must take a lot of energy for people to be that crabby!

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Never once did Sarah say, "Everyone should give up their cars. My way is the only way." I think it's FANTASTIC that she made the choices she did, that she commits to riding in the rain, that her whole family is involved in getting places together, and that she has the common sense to call 911 or a taxi/friend/family member if she's truly in a bind. No, not everyone can ditch their car, and we all have our reasons and excuses for why we hang onto them. But give Sarah a break. This works for her and countless other families. I, for one, am thankful that she's embarked on this great experiment, and has proven it can work.

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To answer the actual question, I would love to bike more but alas, I am a major klutz and me on a bike is just asking for trouble. I live in the SF bay area, so I take public transit as much as possible, but still drive some. If I could manage to ride a bike without falling down before I go two feet, I'd definitely try to cut down on my driving a lot more.

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When I was in my 60's I could bike to town about 12 miles; faster, than the city bus could get there. Almost every time I would pace the Bus.. After their many stops I would be out of his range. My speed was in the 20 mph range Young riders who train, can do 30 easily for several hours. a 30 mile commute is not that bad if not at night. Good bike lanes are almost a necessity. Healthy younger than me men regullarly ride coast to coast on Tandems in 10 to 15 days.

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I hope nobody was thinking my comment was overly critical. I have no qualms about people riding bikes to and from work and I would too if I could. I cant move closer to work because of costs. I live in northern Virginia which if anyone who lives nearby knows the housing and cost of living expensives are huge and drop a lot outside the immedite areas. Within 30 miles the price of gas drops from $3.80 to $3.33. So I live out of the way so I can actually afford to have a place. If a person lives in the ciy and has access to public transportation I think it is wonderful not to depend on a car. Isnt it true that most people in NYC dont have a car becuase there is no need? Its just that most Americans for one reason or another cannot live or work without a car. I was just saying that it is impractial for many people outside the cities. :-) I personally would love giving up my gas bill.

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I just wanted to thank you for not having a car and staying off the road! Finally I can get that parking spot in front of my house! What a joy!

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I live in the same city that Sarah does. Even though Portland is considered one of the most "bike friendly" cities in the US and has good mass transit, going car-free is tough, and I commend her family for making that committment. It's a true lifestyle change--one I am not ready/able to make, but a concept I revisit regularly--always monitoring the "state of the family" to see what positive changes we can make.

I live a 10 minute drive from work, which is (sadly) a 45 minute bus ride/walk from my home (2 buses at that). Biking is out of the question for me at this point, and my telecommuting opportunities are limited. Every single day I got in my car alone to make that 10 minute drive, I felt like a jerk. My solution? I rounded up my high-school age neighbor and a couple of her friends, and I drive them to school every day. Might as well have a full car if I'm going that way anyway and it saves one a city bus ride (and gives her 30 minutes extra sleep) and saves another mom or two from driving their kids to school. I also look at it as paying forward and building up a little carpool karma, since my daughter relies on other moms to get to extracurricular activites (when she can't ride the bus).

I try to walk to do my shopping, or hit stores that are on my way home from work. I don't do Target or most of the other big boxes much anymore (maybe 2-3 times annually), because they are out of my way. When I do, I always ask a friend or two if they need anything I can pick up, or if they'd like to join me, just to make the trip extra worth it.

Not car free, but there are ways we can all work together to decrease our collective dependence on personal autos.

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When I moved back to Portland after living in Atlanta for many years (43 mile commute to work, EACH WAY), I made the choice to live within the city proper, as close to the city center as I could, so I could reduce my commute times and my time in the car in general, among other things. That was more important to me than a new/newer large house on a large lot. My Atlanta friends are appalled that my daughter and in live in 1000 square feet on a 1/10th acre lot, rather than the 3000 square foot house on a 1/3 acre lot that we left behind. Yes, I could have moved to the Portland suburbs or exurbs and spent the same amount of money on a newer, big house with a big yard, but our quality of life in our 63 year old cottage set on a tree-filled lot in close in NE Portland far exceeds the one we had in the 'burbs, that included the horrific commute.

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Although a car-free lifestyle cannot easily be attained by everyone (see the above posters who live many miles from everything they do), the point that many people don't get is that this blogger is not telling YOU how you should live, albeit how SHE has decided to live. Congratulations Sarah, for finding a way to reap so many rewards from giving up the car. I am on my way to a near car-free life and have found the same benefits to be true.

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That's what I miss about Philadelphia!! If I still lived there, this thought would be admirable and do-able! But, one day I was stranded downtown with a no-show bus, walking to my Manayunk apartment, cursing the smells of the city, I went home, packed my belongings and went south until the ocean stopped me. I now live in the lovely little fishing village of Desin, Florida. Perfect except we have 0 public transportation. To solve this problem, we bought a used 2001 VW Beetle as our "temporary" family car (we will eventually outgrow it!!) and are trying (!!) to sell our 2005 VW Touareg V6 SUV. My thoughts are, instead of going car-free, buy a cheaper used car with great gas mileage and you will still sleep very well at night!!

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Kudos to you Sarah!!! I wish I was one of your kids. What an amazing experience to be riding along with mom and siblings in such a unique way. Think of the great heritage you are passing to them. And please don't let the nay sayers discourage you in this noble endeavor.

I totally understand what you are saying since I too gave up my car a year ago.
I'm a business owner, and why not? I owned a brand new Mercedes, I loved it and I miss my car a lot. But everything changed for me when I took a summer trip to Europe in 2007; I was amazed to find out how many people ride their bikes over there. A good example is that in the city of Berlin half the households DON'T OWN A CAR!!!! But everywhere I went I saw all kinds of people riding bikes, WITH THEIR KIDS TOO!!! Just like you do. Rain or shine, didn't matter, they know how to deal with it.
So after 3 months of backpacking the old continent along with my only daughter, I came back to the states a changed man.

I returned my car to the dealership and never looked back. I ride a full suspension GT mountain bike and I just LOVE IT!!! I bought a trailer which allows me to tow anything I want. In it I can fit lots of groceries from the supermarket, my duffle bag when I go to the gym or to spend the weekend at my brother’s, 2 weeks of dirty clothes and bed sheets for the laundry mat, all my camping gear and a week supply of food for 2 people. I recently got another trailer to tow my long board when I go surfing; the beach is 20 miles away ;-)

I lost more than 10 lbs., I’m in the best shape of my life, people tells me I’m going backwards… instead growing older, I’m growing younger yay!!! hehe
It shows… people think I’m in my mid 30’s but in reality I’m in my late 40’s, isn’t it great??!!
I’m reaping all the benefits you mentioned and then some.

I know this is not for everyone, but I also know everyone can stir their lives in that direction only if they want to. You can find excuses for everything but at the same time you can find solutions for anything, it’s a matter of will power.
Over 20 years without using the public system, I always had a good car available. Now I’m green and very conscious of the environment.
Whenever I really need a car, I borrow or rent one.

I live in downtown LA and I too face many challenges when riding my bike.
The difference? I don’t let them win my battle for a better world, a better me. Sure, there must be sacrifices, we all pay our dues, and some choose to pay with their hard earned money feeding those huge car companies and feeling the pain at the pump station.. The consequences? Everlasting pollution, the transferring of wealth to the middle east so they can perpetuate their lavish lifestyle, and getting themselves overweight for lack of natural activity as walking, while compromising the wellbeing of our world and future generations. Just to name a few.
In my case, I’ve fallen to the ground a couple times, I got all bruised and bloody; I’ve gotten all soaked and wet after riding under one or two rain showers, during summer time I arrive at work with sweat dripping down my face and back. But I’d rather pay my dues that way. The consequences? Less pollution, I’ll keep my wealth for me to enjoy it, with a nice sun tan, a trimmed body, showing by example to all around me that indeed it is possible to stop our dependency of foreign oil, and by doing so I do my part for the wellbeing of our world and future generations.

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I concur with Rick. This is obviously not something for everyone. Obviously it is not something that is a viable option for everyone...but if it is...then it could be an example. I don't believe that Sarah was trying to force her beliefs onto anyone in any way. I just think that she was showing what she does; and if it makes sense, that you could do it too.

My situation is quite different. My car was repo'd several years ago. It was costing me about $500/month for the note alone: and this was for a Chevy; and not even a top model...just basic transportation. Between my car, and my wife's...we were paying over $900/month: more than our apartment's rent.

My wife no longer has her car, because of the repairs needed to keep it running. So we are both without a vehicle. My wife will borrow our daughter's car from time to time; and on occasion, when she needs to do a lot of chasing: she will rent a car. But as for myself: I just walk everywhere. I enjoy the exercise; even though I don't always enjoy the weather (I live outside of Chicago).

We do have most everything that I need fairly close; so I am blessed in that way. I recognize that not everyone can live this kind of lifestyle; but we all make choices; so perhaps we can choose to drive differently. Group trips so that you don't waste time or money. Plan your trips so that you are not driving back and forth making wasted trips. Ask yourself: "do I really need to make this trip, or are their other options?".

My wife used to take the car to go to a corner store a block and a half a way. That was just stupid....when she could have walked. Of course, if it was extremely bad weather...they why not...but normally it wasn't. My health has gotten better since I have been walking more. I have more energy to do the things I need to do; and I even sleep better at night.

I want to get a bike too, so that I can go to other places. It takes me about 70 minutes to walk to church (each way); and I would like to be able to cut that down. I just don't know how it will work out during the winter this year: as this will be the first year without a vehicle at all.

Again, this is not for everyone. If this is not an option, then there may still be other things you can do to help reduce the fuel used. Car Pooling/Ride Sharing, mass transit (if available); Motor Cycles (that use less fuel); Horses (where appropriate) etc can all help. (not an all inclusive list...you have to see what works for you).

Our over dependence on oil in general, is (I believe) not a good thing. Our dependence on foreign oil is even worse. We need to all be responsible stewards for not only the planet; but for our wallets as well.

And as Forest Gump would say: "That's all I'm going to say about that".

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Right. This may work for people in major cities like NY or Chicago but in most cities in the US this would be almost impossible.

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I wish that I lived close enough to ride my bike to work. I use public transportation because with the gasoline prices these days, it's actually less expensive than using my car. There's a grocery store near my job, so I usually stop by there with a tote or a gym bag. I don't live in a major city - far from it. I purposely made sure that I lived close to a bus line so that I could get to work without having to drive there.
With my previous job, I only lived 1 1/2 miles away, and I started walking to work. I lost 25 lbs quickly.

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I already live without a car. Working in NYC, having a car is the biggest hassle there is. Thank goodness, the city has some of the most reliable public transportation in the country. For my transportation needs, I end up spending the most money on train passes while I save extra cash for the occasional taxi cab ride. Compared to those who already own a car, I save a pretty penny. That money goes into my savings or on other things I need. I agree with the author of the article that not having a car makes a person think twice about going out. Having extra time is a must as I have to time the trains in case one is late. I have to be more resourceful as far as getting groceries and other necessities because I don't have a car to drag them around. There is also a health plus. I have lost weight, developed muscles, and getting a toner body. Honestly, if a person can live without a car and have good transportation too, then get rid of the car. The world feels much different without on. And then after about a year or so, when a person has to drive a car again, it becomes a whole new experience.

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Thanks. I was beginning to think I was out here, all alone. I keep money now, and have a lot left over, for extra's.

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Get real. I live in the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, and if I took public transportation to all of my freelance work, kid's school (get real on that too. my kids don't go to our neighborhood school, it's LAUSD and abysmal), and errands, they'd have to put out an APB on me. Most likely they'd find me in the hospital psych ward.

But more power to anyone who lives in a place where they can get away with it--it ain't here.

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I sold my car before moving across country 4 years ago and bought a bike after my move. I walk, bike, bus and ride the trains. I'm in better shape physically and mentally (I hadn't realized how stressful driving is until I gave it up!) I get more reading done. I enjoy the scenery. I have slowed my life down and enjoy it more. I feel more connected to my environment, stopping to smell the flowers or to watch the birds, rabbits, etc. I don't have to worry about traffic snarls or finding a parking space. I am living according to my green values. And, of course, I am saving money!

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