two weeks, one bike, no car

We read another confession of failed a carfree trial at Slate.com today. We've come across dozens of these while doing research for cfa2. Most are very similar both in their motivations and realizations. This one is enlightening because the author is a self-proclaimed "committed" cyclist. Not only is he single and working at home (or in a coffee shop), but he is fit and familiar with riding a bike. He seems the perfect candidate for a carfree success.

As it turns out, his previous experience does little to help, and in some cases actually hinders,his carfree effort. Up until this point he has only ridden for rectreation, not transportation. His gear, clothing and attitude towards cycling require a major adjustment. In the end, his adjustments were not enough. He only makes it two weeks before driving to the supermarket for canned soup.

One might ask why we have posted two carfree trial failure stories. Are we promoting carfree lifestyle or discouraging it? Well, we think neither. These stories provide good examples of how things can go wrong, get difficult, and frustrate attempts, especially in the beginning. We think there is as much to learn from failure as from success. And hopefully all the tips and recommendations here are evidence of the successes.

Also, these stories make us question the whole idea of committing to being carfree. There is a point where one chooses to sell the car, and that definitely requires some commitment. But does carfree life have to start out as a challenge with rigid, lofty goals and a deadline? Perhaps the failures are not in an inability to give up the car, but in an unwillingness to take the time to adjust to a new lifestyle. We don't know anyone who has "committed" to driving a car. Why should carfree life be pass or fail? W see no reason to throw in the towel over a soup craving on a rainy day.

BTW, if any readers want to contribute their own stories, we would much prefer to post local stuff (successes, failures, and otherwise) than items yanked from national press. Send them to cfa2@pedalsong.net.

no car, one month, two kids

Steve Bean pointed us a mother's trials in giving up her car for a month. She talks about all the struggles and hardship she encountered in fulfilling her commitment to go carfree for a month. It's a little depressing to read about her feelings of exclusion from suburban society, her guilt over bringing a stroller on the bus, her frustrations with scheduling trips, and her sticker-shock when shopping local vs. Walmart. Frankly, it may be enough to make you abandon the whole carfree idea. It is more of a confession than a how-to manual.

However, we like the write-up for its honesty. She doesn't sugar-coat carfree life or linger on the financial benefits or earth-saving virtues of not driving. She probably didn't make all the best decisions in her effort, and that is why this is a good read for those considering becoming a carfree family.

While reading, it might help to ponder a couple questions:
To what extent does she switch over to a carfree lifestyle, and to what extent does she try to continue her previous lifestyle without a car?
To what extents do her complaints reflect her concern over other peoples' perception of her, and of her perceptions of them?
What might have made this experiment easier for her?

Update: you can read a more detailed account of these trials at the author's blog