Sold My Car
9:27 pm, by tricky coyoteYears ago I thought of an idea for a new Xtracycle sticker: “God, grant me the courage to sell my car.” I stuck it on the back of my Subaru. Courage came in waves, but never seemed to cross the threshold. After all, I really loved that car, and besides, I needed it for kayaking and going to visit my parents in Oregon and driving to gigs in town and taking my laundry to town (”town” is 16 miles and a hugely steep river canyon away) and going on business road trips and going to peace marches, etc, or so I thought. Usually one sells the car in order to upgrade. But this was to be a selling as in kicking the habit, and the habit runs deep.
Over the years we sold and gave away hundreds of those stickers. On at least 3 occasions that I can remember, I got an email or a phone call saying that it had worked. “I put the sticker on my car, and I sold it. I’m car-free and loving it!”
Our society is literally designed around the automobile. And it’s one of our most promoted symbols of freedom. So to not have one at first seems like a grand deprivation. But something in me relished the idea. It wasn’t just because I’m trying to minimize my personal negative impact on the world and I thought becoming less automobile dependent is the best way to do so (though I am and I do).
Ironically, not having a car somehow feels like one of the ultimate freedoms. I am not deprived of mobility: I have my load-hauling bike; I can rent a car any time I need to; I’m going to get an electric Xtracycle for especially big burdons on big hills; we’re thinking of starting a car-share in my community; I have lots of friends with cars; I can ride my bike to Amtrak; the list of available ways to get around as a plain ‘ol carless American is a long one. But the freedom is something else. I think it has something to do with the adventure implicit in getting around by your own power and mental facility and hair on your chinny chin chin without the boring (to me) ease of just getting in your steel box and pressing GO. Cyndra hitchhiked from the middle of Oregon to the middle of California with her kayak and two duffel bags and it took less time than the train. And was a lot bigger adventure than driving. I guess I’d sum it up as footloose and fancy free.
The courage had been mustering all spring and summer this year, as oil wars toiled on and my own peace poem rang out “do i care enough about peace to sell my car,” and my own sticker greeted me with every step to or past the sitting car. And I was hardly driving as it was. Still, friends and parents cautioned against a sale. “But you love that car, and it’s been so good to you. And you need it.” But do I? MTV pushed me over the edge with finality. What better way to show a contrary-to-Hummer lifestyle model than to rid oneself of the car and go bikin’?
As the deed was done, I peeled off the backing of the “I lost 3500 pounds in one day—ask me how” sticker and stuck it proudly to my shirt for the camera.
September 27th, 2005 at 4:33 pm
Congratulations. Now you’ll find out how much you REALLY need to go to all the places you used to go. For awhile after I made a similar move, I often rode around or drove in my wife’s vehicle (she and I have different ideas on this matter). It seemed great because it didn’t alter my lifestyle at all. Should we go to that restaurant 30 miles away? Sure, why not! But as I did more and more utility cycling, I began to resent my car miles more and more. These days, I seldom drive or ride in a car, and it feels wierd when I do.
September 28th, 2005 at 12:57 am
Hey Kipchoge,
Talk about car-based culture. They put the biggest bicycle trade show in America in one of the least bicycle friendly cities, Las Vegas. This year I bagged Vegas, with inspiration in part from Xtracycle absence last year.
Haven’t driven Thao’s car in three weeks since I took her to the airport. My legs are feeling pretty good. How’s DutchAss.com coming along?
September 28th, 2005 at 5:19 pm
Besides being a rediculously inefficient mode of transportation, the automobile promotes laziness and obesity. Why are humans so obsessed with making their brains bigger and stronger while making their bodies weaker and more useless? The most efficient way to move one’s body is to use one’s body. Pedal powered vehicles not only get you to your destination but get you in great shape and make you feel physically good and mentally clear. Why not use that daily commute as an oportunity for exercise, meditation and saving the planet?
November 3rd, 2005 at 2:10 am
I have been carless since 1984, and have been so happy to not need a car. There really is a freedom that most people in this country would find hard to understand (until they tried it long enough to get over the addiction). In other parts of the world I have many friends who understand well the advantages of not having a car. Here most people seem focused on the perceived advantages of having one — I hear about that frequently.
For many people, bicycle commuting is faster than commuting by car, if you count the time it takes to earn the money necessary to buy and maintain the car (and the bike). Plus, the time on the bike is not wasted — you’re having fun and getting healthy — while for most people the time in a car is a total waste. (Some people make use of it to listen to lectures or learn a language, but they are probably not many.)
A bicycle lifestyle is so much healthier and more pleasant than a car lifestyle. But it does take a lot of courage to kick the habit and let it happen.
Courage to all!
January 18th, 2006 at 2:23 pm
I went carfree in 2003. My wife and I share a car. So technically we are what I would call “Car LESS”. I donated my ‘95 geo metro to world vision and took up cycling to work (sometimes I use our light rail - Metrolink or bus in addition). It has been a real challenge but worth it. Some people think I am crazy. However, I have met more people through cycling than I ever have by being stuck in my car “bubble”. I wish I would have done it earlier. In 2005 I wasn’t so crazy cycling to work and not having a car with all the car drivers complaining about how much it cost them to get to work. I think motorists have received a “wake up call” as to how much it is really costing them to get from point A to B so quickly. I have been involved with cycling advocacy here in St. Louis and many good changes are occuring. Slowly but surely. I look forward to a more “multi-transit” friendly environment that is taking place. I did go through a type of “speration” feeling especially walking through a “sea” of cars in our work parking lot just to get to a place to eat lunch (a park or green space I can find). But the feeling builds and builds that you are making a difference. Not only for the environment but for your health and well being. Car abstinance can almost be equated to the “sexual purity” movement that I pledged when I was younger. So many people make fun of those who choose a different path. But the path I and others have chosen (carLESS living) is one that I will forever be proud of. Thanks for sharing your story!
Keep Cycling!
January 20th, 2006 at 9:18 pm
I just made a quick write up on some reasons to ride to work on my blog. I absolutely love what you and Ross are up to and want to help spread the word as much as possible. I just finished painting and building my frame for my Xtracycle and plan on ordering one as soon as possible. I was inspired by my Ultimate teacher David White from Pullman.
As far as divorcing the automobile culture goes I think there are a lot of topics to be explored beyond transportation and am hoping to keep writing good pieces on my blog about changing lifestyles.
Keep up the good work!