recent column on going Car-lite

Ok, so as a general rule I've refrained from posting my monthly columns for the newspaper because they're too bloomin' long for the sort of attention span fostered by this medium. However, I have for the most part been enjoying biking to work immensely, and want to share.

This column tends to reflect my latest obsessions and passions on a monthly basis. Currently I’m consumed by living a lifestyle not so dependent on the automobile, and by my fruit and vegetable juicing addiction. Since perhaps you aren’t as jazzed about juicing beets and carrots as I am, we’ll choose the topic we can all relate to and carries the most baggage.
It all started when I checked out How to Live Well Without Owning a Car, by Chris Balish, from the local library. (It will have been returned by the time you read this so reserve it online now!)
My drive to reduce my dependence on cars is fueled by necessity. My single income cannot support my family’s two-vehicle habit anymore. Going car-free would be ideal, but with small children it wouldn’t be wise here.
The average American spends 20% of their income on cars. If for example you spend $550 a month for payments, insurance, gas, maintenance, taxes, parking, etc, consider that this same amount invested monthly over 10 years at an 8% interest rate would yield $100,620. This is certainly more than enough to pay for bus fare and the occasional rental car while having plenty left over for a cup of coffee and lets see uh… how about a house, a college education for your kids, the opportunity to be your own boss, or perhaps the option of being a more generous giver?
Today I visited some local bike shops with very helpful staff, and I will soon be outfitted with a sweet ride. H.G. Wells said, “Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the human race.” My problem of working in a sedentary job and not getting enough exercise will soon be alleviated. The only, yet huge, problem is this steep hill jutting out of Lake Superior that I’ll have to scale with nothing but pedal power. Rat scallions!
This will be the most difficult obstacle to overcome if I want to be a successful bicycling commuter. Perseverance should whip me into shape though, and if not Duluth’s buses recently had the bike racks installed for this. I also work with something like 800 people. Surely I could be creative enough to find a ride on days when Nor’easters strike. (For some reason the massive parking lot is absolutely packed, and almost nobody car pools.)
Recently though, I spoke with Louise at my place of employment. She is 59 years old and usually bikes 22 miles one way to reach our little patch of Corporate America. When asked why she does this, she doesn’t hesitate a moment in saying, “I’ve got a lead foot, and it keeps me from getting a ticket.” Well, shucks, if Louise can do it so can I!
Another obstacle is time. It does take longer to bike, walk, take the bus, or even carpool, but this doesn’t take into account the big picture.
I was surprised to learn that the typical American male devotes 1600 hours a year for the “freedom” of owning a car. This includes hours of work to pay for it, time spent idling in traffic, parking it, maintaining it, shoveling it out after a snowstorm, scraping the windows, letting it warm up, etc. 1600 hours of toil are logged for an average of 7500 miles a year, which is less than 5 miles per hour. This places it ahead of a brisk walking pace, but not by much.
Did you know the typical American walks just 300 yards a day? I bet walruses lunge along further than that on a daily basis. I wonder if this has something to do with all the health problems that run rampant in our society. Perhaps one could also save the cost of a gym membership, which they probably don’t use nearly enough anyway, and spend a little more quality time on the bike commuting to work. For me it will take 30 minutes by bike instead of 15 by car.
Beyond the financial and health aspects of this decision, I truly believe one’s quality of life could really benefit without the added stress of caring for a car. You also will have the opportunity to be more engaged with the rest of the community whether you choose to walk, bike, take the bus, or enjoy the company of co-workers in a carpool. The environmental benefits of making this kind of decision are enormous, and if one is creative there is still ample opportunity to journey away from the city into the wilderness.
For me, though, I am finally realizing with great relief that I do not need to meet the expense of two vehicles. Surely my family can find a way to exist in this world with only our minivan. It is astounding that I could write this with a straight face as if this will actually be a sacrifice when so many people in the world get by on far less. Have a joyful Easter. This is a time for contemplating true sacrifice.