For the final ten years I’ve been driving a 1992 blue and white Ford Explorer. The automobile was my father’s earlier than he handed it right down to me after I acquired my license on the age of 16… and boy did I really like that automobile!
However you’re most likely questioning, why on the planet am I speaking about my automobile on an internet site dedicated to bicycle journey?
Effectively, the explanation I’m speaking about my automobile is as a result of I’ve lately determined to donated my automobile to charity and am now with none type of motorized transportation.
With my automobile out of the image, my fundamental supply of transportation is by bike. And since I’ve determined to stay for the following 12 months (and presumably even longer) with none type of automobile, I assumed this could make for an attention-grabbing matter of dialog right here at BicycleTouringPro.com.
With fuel costs on the rise and the financial system in a lurch, increasingly more persons are getting on their bikes. Many of those persons are driving to work, operating errands, and biking purely for the (low cost) leisure. Of those individuals, lots of them are literally giving up their vehicles and committing to a life-style that doesn’t contain driving all over the place they go.
As a result of bicycle touring (and bicycle journey generally) is a life-style selection for me, I see this transfer to a automobile free existence as each thrilling and rewarding. Whereas I’m possible going to overlook having my automobile at instances, I can already see a number of the advantages I’m certain to take pleasure in (Specifically: not paying for fuel, insurance coverage, repairs, and so on.).
Listed below are the 4 fundamental causes I’ve determined to surrender my automobile:
1). My automobile is previous and in want of restore
As I discussed on the high of the article, my automobile is a 1992 Ford Explorer. Greater than 15 years previous, the automobile has plenty of points. For instance, the battery continuously dies; I have to put new oil and lubricants in on a regular basis; it catches on fireplace when climbing steep hills; the brakes hardly work in any respect; there is no such thing as a radio, CD participant, warmth, air-conditioning, or 4-wheel drive; and it’s merely on its final leg.
2). I barely drive anymore
One more reason I don’t see giving up my automobile as that massive of a deal is as a result of I barely ever drive my automobile anymore. I’m in a particulary fortunate scenario as a result of I stay in a city that has a free bus service that goes nearly anyplace I need… and the remainder of the time I can get to the place I have to go just by strolling or driving my bike. The one different place I actually go (not served by the native bus service) is to the Salt Lake Metropolis airport… and but once more, I’ve lucked out as a result of there are a selection of shuttles that can drive me backwards and forwards between my house and the airport for a comparatively low expense. To sum all of it up, I simply don’t drive that a lot anymore.
3). I’m going to avoid wasting some huge cash
One of many massive benefits of eliminating my automobile is that I’ll not should pay for insurance coverage and fuel. The automobile is all paid off by now, so I haven’t had that to fret about, however simply paying for fuel and insurance coverage has pissed me off at instances. And whereas I don’t drive that always, I’m certain I’ll save no less than a thousand {dollars} or extra this 12 months by not having my automobile.
4). Lastly, my fundamental motive for giving up my automobile is that I shall be touring to Europe this winter and gained’t want a automobile for no less than the following 8 months.
Sure, I’ve dedicated to touring this winter and won’t be at house to drive my automobile. As a result of I’ll be away and renting out my house in Park Metropolis (and since I don’t need to pay for a spot to retailer my automobile whereas I’m gone), I’ve determined that that is the proper time to eliminate my automobile.
I don’t need to use this text as a way of convincing you that you simply also needs to surrender your automobile and trip your bike wherever you go, as a result of I do know that this merely isn’t an choice for some individuals. However what I do need you to do is consider what you’ll do for those who needed to go for 12 months with out your automobile. If you happen to needed to go and not using a automobile for the following twelve months, how would you get round? How would you get to work? Go to the put up workplace? Choose up groceries on the grocery store? And many others…
Use the feedback field under to share your concepts. If you happen to needed to go for the following 12 months with out your automobile, do you assume you would do it? What do you assume your greatest impediment(s) can be? And the way would you get round these obstacles to guide the life you need to stay?
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