Living Car-Free is Good For The Environment and Your Community
Posted on May 10, 2010 - 09:32 AM
By: Brian Liloia
In the eyes of many young Americans, the chance to one day own a car is likened to gaining a new kind of freedom and independence. However, many people are wising up about the realities of owning a personal vehicle, such as the writer of this particular article called ‘No Car, No Problem’. Cars are not only expensive and polluting, but they contribute to the lack of community in many neighborhoods and cities, and can ultimately be a great burden.
“As Kingman points out from her own car-free experience, ‘We ended up supporting a lot of local businesses, because big box stores and malls were much harder to get to. We bought our groceries every few days, which supported a healthier diet. And most of my children’s friends were in the neighborhood, because I couldn’t drive them across town for play dates, and that helped us know our neighborhood, which has benefits beyond our own family.’”
What are some other benefits of living car-free? Other than the environmental benefits of spewing less carbon into the atmosphere, a decrease in pollution, and less dependence on rare fossil fuels, there are many. You will save money by not having to pay for and maintain a personal vehicle. You will have the opportunity to exercise more by biking and walking to local stores and friends’ homes. You will learn to live more locally by supporting small local businesses. You will be less stressed by long commutes behind the wheel, sitting in traffic, and having to deal with road rage.
The pros are many. Living car-free may be a great shift for one living in a car-obsessed nation, but to begin to live without a vehicle is a step towards an even greater freedom!
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Show/Hide Comments (2)
By sell porsche on 11/08/2010
Brian, can I just say that you are spot i with your observations. Sure being car free has an environmental benefit but the greatest benefit is to society. I recently moved home where parking space is like gold dust. In the end I found myself walking everywhere because I didn’t want to lose my car parking spot. So basically I would leave for work about 7am and then come home around 4pm, after that I wouldn’t drive anywhere, I would just walk. Because of this I have noticed I tend to buy fresh groceries, on a as and when needed basis from the local shops.
In my last home, where I resided for almost 10 years I hardly ever walked anywhere or even round the corner, yet at my new address, my wife and I often go for short walks around the neighbourhood and it’s really helped me bring out my social side. I would really recommend just trying to do without the car for non-essential journeys for a month, you will be amazed at how much it improves the quality of your life.
By flower delivery Geneva on 05/25/2011
That’s a point which is often overlooked, and rarely mentioned, so thank you for the article on this issue. It seems even more dramatic on a smaller scale, such as here in Switzerland, where small towns are even more vulnerable to big shopping malls outside the city life. Year after year, small local shops have to close their doors because not only is it difficult to go straight to town with your car, but the other - dehumanized - shopping centers offer many parking lots.
