Living without a Car

Living without a car has improved my life. I have lived without a car for almost four years now. The initial reason for my transition from car dependence to freedom was financial. I could not afford to buy a car, pay for insurance, maintenance, or the increasing price of gasoline. After selling my car I realized that there are many other benefits to not owning a car, including minimizing my ecological foot print, feeling healthy and fit, and the exciting possibility of meeting a cute guy on the public transit system, or on a kayak!

Katiyana Williams

Car-free, Bike-rich

Being car-free saves me money:
~$50/month on insurance
~$60/month on gas
~$50/month on repairs & maintenance
Not to mention the cost of the car and depreciation.

I bought a really nice, used mountain bike on craigslist for $250. I ride to work everyday, sometimes a 8 minute ride, sometimes a 20 minute ride, depending what office I have to go to. I was lucky enough to find a job close to where I live.

I get there feeling refreshed in the morning - on warm days I might get sweaty, but I'll change into a different set of clothes. The PR/marketing CEO doesn't seem to mind; in fact, she thinks it's great that I ride. The trip is even better on the way home - doing exercise gets me out of the "funk" of working all day. It's a two birds, one stone type of deal: exercise and transportation at the same time.

The bus system in Santa Barbara works really well, my bike goes on the bus rack in front, and I can get anywhere in town. Schedules are available at www.sbmtd.gov.

The major downside of not having a car is flexibility. I can't go surfing or visit the ladies whenever I want to; and I can only take 2 canvas bags worth of shopping at a time (balanced on the handlebars - I need to get a rack!). But the bike keeps me fit, and forces me to carpool with my friends when I want to hit the beach. And as for the ladies, well... that forces them to come to me :)