Deciding to give up a car is like going vegetarian: too many misleading pros and cons, too many subjective factors. Your mind induces you to resist the temptation and be strong, but all the rest of you just screams: let’s go for a ride! (have a juicy steak!). Anyway, if the idea of going car-less crossed your mind, something should have encouraged you to do so, for most motorists are almost auto-addicts. So take your time and carefully weigh all the aspects of this step.
Let’s start with the reasons that made you think you’re better off car-less. However it’s hard to dispute the advantage of being on the wheels any time you want, there are quite a few annoying factors. All the car maintenance fuss, regular expenses and incidental splash-outs it inevitably requires, lack of movement that many drivers suffer or an environmental concern. Any of these factors can take its toll on you one day. Or maybe even hit all at once.
The prior advice will be – don’t make haste! Check out first how to rearrange the motorized routine by another means. You have quite many options for commuting. Bikes are very cheap, environmentally friendly and irreplaceable when it comes to traffic jams. You also get a regular free workout. If you are not too keen on sweating before work day even starts, you can get an electric bike. Still eco-friendly and money-efficient, but physically less demanding. The reverse side of the coin is the distance you have to ride and climate peculiarities. You wouldn’t want to perform a feat each time you travel. Bikes are not very handy either when it comes to weekly shopping. If you live within walking distance from a supermarket a foldable wheeled tot can solve the problem, but if you are not, then it’s time to turn to other options.
The good old public transport can work wonders. There’s nothing like an empty bus lane on a rainy congested morning when you are late for work. It’s a fact that more and more commuters admit: public transport is the surest way to get to work on time. No parking problems either. The only thing is that you may live outside the bus route area. Or sometimes need to deliver the unreasonable amounts of shopping that you don’t want to advertise (or fear being not allowed on board with your cargo). That’s when we turn to friends and that’s where it’s so easy to lose both friendship and free car renting. You have to pay back one way or another and swallow your pride sometimes. At the end of the day a favour is a favour and when you ask for it regularly people tend to get annoyed. So unless they owe you a life, you can’t expect them handing out a car key with a cheerful smile any time. Car-pooling is a healthy option, but it also leaves you dependent on others and their circumstances. You can also order a taxi or rent a car. You do save heaps of money by giving up your own auto, so you definitely can afford hired vehicles once in a while.
Apparently, going car-less can be sensible and almost painless if taken up wisely. You don’t have to stick to just one option – mix and match them according to your lifestyle and circumstances. Keep your auto as a back-up plan and see if you can do without it for a month or so. If it doesn’t make you stressed, then maybe the time has come to sell your 4-wheeled buddy and start a new life.
All this is almost perfect when you are flexible and energetic. But what about those who live far outside the bus routes, have some physical disabilities or can’t move closer to the infrastructure. Or let’s say a family with a couple of kids can hardly do without a car. Environmental issues as well as rocketing gas prices still exist, but they have weighty reasons to have something in their garage. They are not car-addicts, they simply can’t adjust their lifestyle to a car-less position. (“Honey, let’s not have kids and ride bicycle to work!”) The good news is there’s another option! Electric and hybrid cars have already won the popularity for being eco-harmless and fuel-efficient. You get serious money savings on gas without restraining yourself. Hybrids drive just like conventional autos and you can get a regularly shaped one if you don’t want to stand out with its looks.
I guess, vegetarians are far less lucky, for there’s nothing that tastes like freshly grilled steak, not being a piece of meat with all the trouble it brings.
It’s just nice to have one.
