The Car-Free Lifestyle-How To Do It

Whenever I reveal the fact that I am a non-driver who lives car-free, I always receive many questions about how I do it and what all this choice entails. Many questions are the ones I have most come to expect, largely about the practical issues and how-tos, but some are also interesting questions regarding how this choice has come to effect my lifestyle as a whole. There has been a journey of sorts that has brought me to the point I am in this whole "car-free" life of mine, and this journey has brought about much more to my life than simply forgoing four wheels in most instances.

Originally, I came to be a non-driver due to anxiety about driving. I do know how to drive and have tried learning for my drivers test on several occasions, but each time something would come up again, bringing my fears to a higher level than they were before. In one instance, I hit a mailbox and in another, I was nearly ran off a little two lane road by the impatient SUV driver behind me. Both of these instances shook the little bits of confidence I had mustered up, and from that point on, I decided I would work with what I had (my own feet, buses, etc) until I was ready to take official drivers ed once Sean and I came up with the funds.

Well, I wound up loving walking, biking, and bus riding so much that there never wound up being a need for me to take the drivers ed lessons at that point, so we opted for me as I was, being well aware that I could take driving lessons when/if the need arose in the future, and so we embarked on learning how to make this all work. Regardless of my driving status, we have always been big on walking & biking & never intended to buy a second car. Sean & I are also highly concerned about our nation's great dependence on oil & cars as is, but especially when it comes to leaning on foreign oil. And, of course, I'm a little bit green hippie (just a little..;o)), so other than driving to work, our car was never a huge part of our lifestyle anyway, and became even less as we ventured further into green living.

In the years that have followed, there have been many tips and tricks I have learned to make being car-free not only work for me, but give me a rich life in the process, and oddly, one that is far more exciting than when I couldn't think outside the car. I fully realize that being car-free probably will not work for most people, nor is it necessarily a choice most people would desire to make any way, but I hope by sharing how I do it, perhaps some of you might be able to work some gas savings into your lives, too. :o)

How To Be Car-Free

1. Pick a location near whatever shops, doctors, activities, and whatnot that are essential to your life, as well as public transit if available. Even if a lousy public transit city, there may be places to live that are near to libraries, grocery stores, strip malls, and the like. Even if you cannot be totally car-free, being able to walk to a few places can help boost gas savings and also calorie burning.

Check the Walk Score for the place you live in now. I absolutely love this website and on several occasions have learned of places nearby that I hadn't noticed before.

2.Plan, plan, plan your shopping. I have a pantry list that lists everything I like to keep stocked at all times, as well as the amount. This allows me to order bulk foods & assure they do not spoil, stock up when items are on sale, and save time by making less frequent trips and online purchases dried food items, medicinal herbs, craft supplies, cleaning product supplies, and so on. On a normal shopping trip, I only purchase "fresh" items unless something odd & unforeseen has happened, and then I'm only buying an item or two from the pantry list.

This list also allows me to plan the purchase of many items when they typically go on sale. Deals for linens can usually be found in January white sales, for instance. Clothing for the entire family can be purchased from rummage sales, thrift stores, and the like. Gifts for upcoming holidays and birthdays can typically be found, or made, months in advance, at not only great prices, but also super special gifts that will really mean something to the recipient. For the fall/winter birthdays and holidays, I like to have everything done by the time September rolls around and learned all about this type of planning from my Mom.

Growing some of your own food can also be a great way to add to the pantry; I like to think of my garden as living outdoor food storage ;o). Even on the tiniest apartment patio, a pretty nice size container garden can be tended to. In the winter, herbs and some smaller plants can be grown inside, on a counter, bakers rack, or window sill that receives ample sunlight.


3. Making bulk purchasing of grains, legumes, flour, baking items, laundry detergent, and anything else is heavy, through a co-op, buying club, health food store, farm, internet resource, or wherever can save a lot of money, time, and a backache--and not just for car-free people either. Local Harvest can help you locate what might be available in your area, and depending on your family's tastes, Costco, Sam's Club, or another warehouse store might work for you. (They wouldn't work for us, but I do know many people who do enjoy their memberships :o)) For military families, certain items might be able to be stocked up at case lot sales or by using the discount shelves at the commissary.

There are many other places that we have found for stocking bulk items and a good emergency preparedness food storage, and typically we have found them by word of mouth, so ask around to see what else might be available in your area.

4. Learn to forgo items that you do not really need, especially those that may be bulky or need to purchased fairly often. I have replaced all of my "paper products" with reusable counterparts, so paper towels, napkins, diapers, feminine hygiene items, and similar goods do not need to be purchased. This not only saves trips and hassles but quite a bit of money as well.


5. Purchase top quality shoes, backpacks, rain gear, cold weather clothing, water bottles and options for babywearing. Many excellent items can be found at army surplus type stores, sporting good stores, and even thrift stores, in some cases. All of these items make car-free living safer and far more easy.

6. Purchase a bike with a kiddie hauler of some kind. The pull along style trailers can hold children and/or shopping. A basket or child seat can also be added to the bike itself to allow for more haulage.

Along with a bike, using a stroller, wagon, or rolling shopping basket to hold your shopping, rather than your child, can make bringing items home very easy. A sling, Mei Tai, backpack carrier, or other babywearing device can then be used to safely carry baby or toddler.

7. Be prepared, aware and safe! Always carry enough cash for a cab on your physical body (NOT in a purse, backpack, etc), along with a trusty little map that you know how to read--preferably with bus information written on it. At some point, you probably will miss the bus, probably while in the down pouring rain, since that is just how life works. LOL. Be prepared!

Taking a self-defense class is a worthwhile endeavor for anyone, especially women, but even more important when walking about. If I were to recommend a class, IMPACT Training would be it.


8. Connect with fellow car-free people, through both local organizations and internet resources.

A few such links:

Car-Free Seattle
Car-Free Cities
National Bicycle Greenway
LJ's Carfree Community

9. When somebody does give you a ride somewhere, always be sure to offer gas money. I am frequently offered rides by friends and family, along with invites to this place or that, and many people will not accept gas money from me. If this is the case, free baby/house/petsitting, a huge plate of their fave baked goods, an invite to dinner, help with house/yardwork, or some other needed favors are nice ways to reciprocate their kindness. If all else fails, and your kind helpers will not allow you to "pay them back," sending a nice gift "just because" is something they can't refuse. :o)



So, there is a little insight into how I do it. Someday in the future, I probably will take drivers ed, though I doubt a car will ever be my main form of transportation by choice, without a real reasoning to make this necessary. But until there comes a point in my life where I simply must be driving, this lifestyle is one I most enjoy and is one that is easy on the pocketbook and planet, and promotes good health. :o)


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