World Car Free Day - Reflections On Living Car-Free (Image Generated Using The AI Assistant).
Yesterday was World Car Free Day. It is a worldwide initiative to encourage motorists to take a break from driving and explore alternatives. So if you want to be more environmentally friendly, (and avoid a TERRIBLE investment) take part in future World Car-Free Days (or start your own Car Free Day). Sure, giving up your vehicle may not be the most convenient way to go car-free, but it is the best way to stop gas-guzzling for even one day. Is it possible to go for an entire day without needing a car? Yes! It can be done, and World Car-Free Day wants to prove it.
Disclaimer: I live in an area with a robust public transportation infrastructure. I realize that not everyone has this luxury, but we can all take part in car free day to varying degrees.
1. What does "Car Free" mean?
Simply put, "Car Free" means you live without the daily use of a car.
2. What are the financial benefits of living without a car?
Almost all cars are terrible investments, and they are very expensive. In these challenging economic times, any savings can help the bottom line immensely. With cars, not only do you need to save up enough cash to pay for it, you'll need to pay a fee to register it, insure it, you'll need to fill it with gas (gasp!), you'll need to maintain it, and you'll need to pay for any violations you commit while operating it. The bills never end.
Consumer spending on vehicles averaged $8,427 in 2016 (it's 2022 as I type these words, but this was the most detailed chart on vehicle spending by category that I could find with a cursory Google search). That's a lot of moolah out the door!
3. How often must you be physically present somewhere?
If you are fortunate enough to be a knowledge worker that can work from anywhere with a reliable internet connection and technology device, do you really need a car? Sure, it's a challenge, but anything worth doing is challenging. If you can communicate with bosses, coworkers, clients, etc. virtually from the comfort of your own home, from your local public library, or coffee shop, consider ditching the car. If something comes up that truly requires you to be physically present somewhere, you can always take an Uber/Lyft, or ask a friend or family member for a ride.
4. What are the environmental benefits of living car free?
Cars create about 33% of all U.S. air pollutants in the forms of carbon dioxide, smog and several other toxic chemicals and gases. These air pollutants are released from the tailpipes, which means that humans immediately breathe in the contaminated air now compromising human health making it a more crucial issue to address. It has now become more a health concern than air contaminants released from an industry’s massive “chimney.”
5. What are the health benefits of living car free?
When you live car free, you can use a bike (or a unicycle if you're really adventurous) or walk to get to some places. Both biking and walking are two great forms of exercise that bring immense health benefits. Whether it is walking, biking, swimming, kayaking or other commuting styles you will see the benefits of a more active lifestyle when you give up the car. You'll also spend a lot more time outdoors, getting a heavy dose of Vitamin C, which is a great stress buster.
6. How much time do you waste in traffic in your car?
TOO DAMN MUCH!
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