While over reading the latest entry at Todd's Blog, I found my way to this link about Car-Head. I've suffered from Car-head for many many many years, even when I was biking the most. It's funny; you take the way things ARE for granted: it's the "normal" way, the way it's always been done... but it's none of those things. My wife and I struggled this evening with her desire to trade in her current car for a newer one and my dogged taurean resistance to putting more money into car society. There's this war going on in my head, and it all started when I bought an Xtracycle FreeRadical Conversion Kit. My aversion to cars has been growing as my eyes have been further and further opened to the damage we've done and are continuing to inflict upon our little blue ball. While I try and remain hopeful, the recent car acquisition is causing me considerable angst. I guess you can call it growing pains, but man is it a bitch. What I can take from this experience is a stronger commitment to drive less. My hat's off to folks who are car-free: it's not easy given the pervasive and ubiquitous nature or Car-Head mentality.
Portugal 2004
11 months ago
2 comments:
If you need to gradually reduce your car use, a carpool/carsharing can be a good way to do it. You can "rent" the car for as little as 30 minutes or as long as 6 months.
http://streetcar.co.uk/what_is_streetcar.aspx
http://www.flexcar.com/
http://clevercycles.com/blog/?p=19
I'm hoping to convince my neighbours to start something like this. There has been some positive feedback, because it's an old area with few parking spaces. So sometimes you can sell carsharing purely on convenience.
Another thing Todd might be able to help you with is selling you a folding bike, which can be used for commuting over long distances by public transit or by hitching a ride with a collegue at work. It might save money even if you/your wife only commute that way once or twice a week.
I guess you're aware of these things, but since you're struggling I just wanted to say something that might help...
Erik Sandblom
If you need to gradually reduce your car use, a carpool/carsharing can be a good way to do it. You can "rent" the car for as little as 30 minutes or as long as 6 months.
http://streetcar.co.uk/what_is_streetcar.aspx
http://www.flexcar.com/
http://clevercycles.com/blog/?p=19
I'm hoping to convince my neighbours to start something like this. There has been some positive feedback, because it's an old area with few parking spaces. So sometimes you can sell carsharing purely on convenience.
Another thing Todd might be able to help you with is selling you a folding bike, which can be used for commuting over long distances by public transit or by hitching a ride with a collegue at work. It might save money even if you/your wife only commute that way once or twice a week.
I guess you're aware of these things, but since you're struggling I just wanted to say something that might help...
Erik Sandblom
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