Comments on: Wall Street Journal: Get rid of your car

By: Stuart M.

Stuart M. — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 12:18:23 +0000

Shankyrhodes, thanks for that obvious spam posting. I hope it gets deleted. Where is the “report this post” button when you need one?

Paul, I feel for you. I remember going on dates using public transportation when I lived in Europe, that was no big deal. BUT… in America a man is measured by the type of gasoline-powered wheelchair he drives. I have to think there must be some women bicyclists out there who would gladly go on a bicycling date to a cool restaurant out in the boonies somewhere during the daytime on a Saturday or Sunday. Try the Internet, there must be some way to hook up with local enthusiasts. BUT DON’T RIDE OFF AND LEAVE THE WOMAN A MILE BEHIND YOU, you get the best view (and will arrive at the restaurant hardly sweaty at all) from riding behind her. I have long fantasized about tandem biking on a date, but it has never happened. I thought getting an Xtracycle attachment would be neat for carting around my wife, but she took one look at the brochure and said she was not getting on that.

By: shankyrhodes

shankyrhodes — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 11:07:35 +0000

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By: Paul

Paul — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 05:26:20 +0000

Judging by so many of these comments and responses, maybe getting rid of THE WIFE that says there has to be so many cars in the family or relationship! I went carfree about 3 years ago and have dated even bike riding women (commuters and sport) that have made fun of their past “dates” with guys (in front of me) because they didn’t own a car! I haven’t met a single woman that didn’t own and use a car, even if she was a avid bike rider. I know several guys, including 4 of my friends who don’t have a car. WOMAN + RELATIONSHIP = MUST HAVE CAR has been my experience. I don’t date much anymore… neither do 3 of my carfree friends.

By: John

John — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:14:01 +0000

@Ellen – My neighborhood has central mailboxes instead of curbside ones. I have been in my front yard and watched people get in their cars and DRIVE three houses down to get their mail and then return home.

By: Ellen

Ellen — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:25:21 +0000

I agree the majority of American cities are not laid out for bikes. We currently are a 1 car, 2 bike household and drive the car only 1 time per week (to a location that is not accessible by bikes or bus). We take that opportunity in the car to piggy-back on some grocery shopping and errand running. While I know this is not feasible for many people, I have a problem with people who live one mile (or less) from work and still drive their cars their. At that distance you could even walk.

By: xcskimt (Robert)

xcskimt (Robert) — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:42:55 +0000

A good article. I have been commuting by bike for the last four years. I have been contemplating dropping to one car. Last year was the first year I biked more than I drove. My wife, still drives in my opinion too much but she is slowly giving in to some of my eccentrics. Green Bay is not as nice as far as bike lanes as say Portland, Madison, San Diego, and Minneapolis but it is improving. Maybe I can have her try commuting in the Spring.

By: Ciego

Ciego — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:43:31 +0000

I live in Southern California and have been commuting by bike for three years. I don’t think in places like this and with a family one can have only one car, but one can do more bike commuting as one of the readers suggested.

I am surprised that the WSJ suggests such a choice, but it seems like commuting by bike really is a trend toward environmentally friendly commutes and cost savings.

By: John

John — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:24:55 +0000

@siouxgeonz

You’re absolutely right. I’m really “car lite”. I generally only use the car on weekends, but yes, I do use a car.

I personally know families who own more vehicles than they have drivers. They park them in the garage, the driveway, and even the street. I don’t understand why anyone needs to own so many vehicles.

By: siouxgeonz

siouxgeonz — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 20:55:18 +0000

Many households have more cars than necessary. Cutting back on one car often isn’t “going car-free.”

I’m not sure whether it was going to happen anyway, but soemthign happened when I put the Xtracycle Free Radical on my Giant; or perhaps it was being given a hand-me-down Gore-tex rain suit. I’d hear the morning weather report and think, “Adventure time! What shall I wear?” instead of “should I ride or drive?”

It was getting out and riding in the bad weather that made me realize it was usually fun.

By: Sean

Sean — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:46:41 +0000

It’s awesome that bicycle commuting is getting more mainstream press! I commute across the Golden Gate Bridge every day for work and did a little calculation (when gas was about $4 a gallon) and calculated how much I could save by bicycle commuting and carpooling. It came out in the thousands per year. And that’s not even including the cost of ownership and maintenance of a car. http://www.seanchon.com/2008/05/why-cycle-commuting-to-work-is-better-than-driving-alone/

Now the tough part. How do we keep ourselves motivated when it’s cold and wet outside and the days are short? I know that’s been my biggest excuse when avoiding the bicycle commute this winter.