”The benefits of a ‘car-less’ household are myriad, but few are as quantifiable as the $ people sink into a depreciating asset that sits unused 95% of the time. I haven’t had to think about the many costs of car ownership for many years, which is incredibly liberating.” dailyhive.com/vancouver/bi... - ThreadSky

brenttoderian.bsky.social • 172 days ago

”The benefits of a ‘car-less’ household are myriad, but few are as quantifiable as the $ people sink into a depreciating asset that sits unused 95% of the time. I haven’t had to think about the many costs of car ownership for many years, which is incredibly liberating.” https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/biking-saves-money

Comments

matthoyt.bsky.social•172 days ago

📌

debewing.bsky.social•172 days ago

This is another source of misunderstanding across american communities: there are places you literally can't live without a car. Some of them have low median incomes.

debewing.bsky.social•172 days ago

My point is that America has gotten to the point where they're triggered over any perspective that looks different from theirs, and I think part of it has to do with being unable to make these choices. Not something different you could do here; I'm just observing.

netherschot.bsky.social•172 days ago

That's a salient point, but I wonder what could be done. Putting cycle lanes in cities seems to be controversial especially with suburban commuters and rurally. Nobody likes being out of their comfort zone, notions they grew up with challenged to the core.

netherschot.bsky.social•172 days ago

Perhaps what might work is a holiday village like Centre Parcs but in the US. Almost car-free, tranquil yet crowded, plenty businesses from bars to retail. And when leaving a message 'doncha wish your suburb was Dutch like me?" with steps to get there?

debewing.bsky.social•171 days ago

My suburb is mostly Korean. I think they'd be down with it!

crewedavid.bsky.social•172 days ago

Definitely in a city. But in the sticks it’s hard to see how we could operate car free. Even with an electric cargo bike. There’s no cycling infrastructure. Colchester

lpfischer.bsky.social•171 days ago

In densely populated countries like UK and Denmark we can do a lot by offering cycling infrastructure in the countryside. People will need a car, but could do many things by bike. In places like the US, everything is just too far if you’re in the sticks.

roosefella.bsky.social•171 days ago

Even in US suburbs - where most Americans live - some cycle infrastructure and ebikes can make those long, soulless strip malls accessible without a car.

The distances aren't always huge, but the built environment is inhospitable.

roosefella.bsky.social•171 days ago

Obviously a lot more needs to be done in those areas, like multifam residential infill

thornbury.bsky.social•172 days ago

Public transport isn't great here, so we have always needed one car, but not having a second one has saved us a fortune over the years.

wiligl.bsky.social•172 days ago

I own an electric cargo bike since 2021 and sold my fossil car 3 months ago. I don't plan to buy a new car.

trywait808.bsky.social•171 days ago

One size fits all aproach doesn't work in murrica. Not everywhere has public transportation. Gtfo!

ericeatspickles.bsky.social•171 days ago

In the city I went one further by reducing my dependency on public transport & cycling my commute as well as local trips.
I calculated by avoiding the cost of car ownership, PT season tickets, etc, over the years I saved around £37,000.

adnan.social•172 days ago

Hey, not having a car lets us get a house in a nicer neighbourhood. I figured that instead of living far away from the city and having a car to bring us back to places where we work, study, want to shop, or hang out, how about we use that monthly expense for the mortgage?

lifesafeast.bsky.social•172 days ago

That’s what I tell my son.

adnan.social•172 days ago

Luckily, the next generation isn't as enamoured with cars as my generation was. I remember the excitement of learning to drive. Little did I know how much joy & free time it would suck out of my life.

debewing.bsky.social•172 days ago

exactly. I lived in DC for 14 years - with a car once I got a job in Virginia. I finally divorced because he wouldn't move closer to where we both worked. Now I have decent bus service, but I've also lived in the boonies.

adnan.social•172 days ago

Neighbourhoods can make such a difference in your life. It is hard to feel sad when there are so many nice things accessible to you.

lpfischer.bsky.social•171 days ago

We decided ages ago that we want to live in the city, with theatres, restaurants & shops all around - and people. Meant a more expensive house, but also that we’ve never needed a car. Has worked fine for us.

jeannetteeggers.bsky.social•171 days ago

I never owned a car and don't intend to change that. Of course, that limits my choices on where to live, but that's worth it for me.

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