Last week, filling up my gas tank cost me over $50 for the first time ever. After paying, I got to thinking about how I could reduce the amount I drive to save a little dough. It didn't take long to determine that there are very few (if any) things that I need my car for. I could bike/transit just about anywhere I go. So I challenged myself (and anyone else who wants to be challenged). The challenge: No car, all summer.
I decided that if the car was available, eventually I would drive it. Some rainy day it would be far easier to drive than to bike/skytrain it. So I eliminated the option. On Monday, I removed the insurance and parked the car for the summer. No matter where I have to go, I will find a way to ride/transit it to my destination.
Can it be done? Well of course it can, thousands get by without a car every year. But can I do it? How do I get to the pub downtown on Friday nights? How do I get to North Van for long runs? How do I get to Seattle for Blue Jays weekend? (June 30 and July 1 for anyone interested!)? All important questions. I have two rules in accepting the challenge. First, I cannot become a burden on my friends. No asking to get a ride to get some milk from the store, or bumming a ride to work on rainy days. Second, my social life can't suffer (which to be honest, is not all that difficult!). No ditching on Friday nights at the pub.
3 days in and things are already going well. Turns out riding to work takes about 35 minutes (compared to 30 by car... no joke). The first big challenge will be this weekend. I am registered for the Elk Beaver Lake 50k on Saturday and need to get to Victoria and back by Saturday night (to be able to get to work on Sunday). The plan right now is to leave work a little early on Friday, bike to Tsawaassen, catch the 5:00 ferry, get to my hotel (before dark), get up, run 50k, ride home (before dark). I figure if I can get through the weekend, there is no reason I can't get through the summer.
Interested in giving the Green Summer Challenge a try? I'd love to hear how others answer the challenges of a life without a car. I expect the challenge to be tough, but rewarding. A great way to stay fit, save some money, and reduce my carbon footprint.
Comments
My five Cents Worth
I have been thinking of blogging about various enviro issues that have been in the news lately, car use, plastic garbage bags, food production to name a few. Thanks Geoff for issuing the challenge.
Ean and I have talked about how we hardly can reduce our use of the car anymore. We never saw the need for more than one car, as we live close (on purpose) to most of our everyday activities and needs. Whenever possible, I bike. I must be known as the "bag lady" in flashy Edgemont, as I cycle into the "village" for my groceries. I have two extremely large panniers that fit a weeks supplies of fruit and veggies (and we eat lots of that stuff) and some library books for good measure. I do cycle in all kind of weather (icy, snowy roads is were I draw the line), thanks to second-hand MEC goretex bike pants and jacket. We do not drive into town everyday, the kids are signed up at activities that we can walk/ride to, we carpool as much as possible to runs/leisure activities, the kids always walk or ride to school. Twice a month I use the car for a ginormous shopping spree to stock up on household stuff, dry food etc.
So, am I weaseling out of the challenge? I guess so. There are a few trips I do need the flexibility of having a car...Getting to the airport with 2 kids and luggage for 2 month would be one - taking the cab would get me around that, but that still puts a car on the road - taking the airporter would be another solution, but it does not leave from the North Shore and at the time of the day I am leaving it would be hard to get me and the kids to the Bayshore by public transport. Shopping at the Superstore twice a month is the other one and lastly taking the family to our secret forest service campground in August (a 3 h drive from North Van, combined with a stop at the Stormy race) the other...
So, Geoff, while I think it's a great challenge and I hope it gets a lot of people to think about their car use...I am already driving very little, combine trips if I need to take the car and think about the impact on our nature (and the cost) everytime I do contemplate using the car.
Now, we heard 3 folks that will not take the challenge...anybody out there taking this on? Even if you think you cannot, starting to change habits, getting the kids to cycke to school, choosing restaurants/activities/events that are close by, car pooling, taking the bus, combining trips, hopping on the bike for shorter trips, will be a step in the right direction.
Great example!
Before I had my first full-time job, I managed just fine without a car. True, I sponged rides off my neighbors and roommates when it came time to get the groceries, go skiing, etc, but it certainly is possible and not that great of a sacrifice for a single dude.
It does get a lot more difficult, as Monty pointed out, for a family. You can't practically shop at Costco on your bike, or take Billy and Suzy to their soccer game in the rain at the other end of town at the crack of dawn on a Sunday where there is no transit. With 4+ in a car, I guess it's car pooling, in any case.
Good luck with it, brother Geoff. Good luck at EB, too. Give the Jackal a big kiss for me.
Great