September 21, 2006

Bus Chick, Transit Authority
Happier, Healthier, Wealthier, Walking

By CARLA SAULTER

Despite the large number of fabulous, active, interesting people who choose to be car-free, it is still considered an “alternative” lifestyle. We bus- and bike-dependent types are often viewed as martyrs; angry, political types with something to prove; or die-hard environmentalists participating in “sustainability experiments.” But I have a shocking revelation: Some people choose not to own cars out of good, old-fashioned, American self-interest.

I wrote an essay on the personal benefits of car-free living for this month's issue of Seattle magazine. And then, a couple of weeks ago, I found an entire book on the subject. Chris Balish's, How to Live Well Without Owning a Car (Ten Speed Press, 2006) shows people how to improve their lives — especially their finances — by (don't make me say “I told you so”) giving up their cars. Here's an excerpt from the first chapter:

“ Without a car to constantly take care of, you'll have fewer hassles, lower stress, less aggravation, and less to worry about. You may even find you have more free time…. You may also improve your health, get more exercise, lose weight, and sleep better. In other words, you'll be happier, healthier, and much wealthier.”

How to Live Well Without Owning a Car is filled with good arguments for not owning a car and good information about how to live without one. It’s extremely persuasive — so persuasive that I predict it will convince a fair number of people to dump that extra couple of tons they’ve been lugging around. Here are some reasons why:

It is written by an attractive, successful, image-conscious Midwesterner — a demographic not known for its high percentage of car-free people. It provides many alternatives to driving cars, including walking, public transit, bicycles, and scooters, and though it focuses on the financial benefits of not owning a car, it doesn’t leave out any of the others: environmental, social, physical, emotional. It explains the detrimental effects of our car-centric culture without demonizing cars or judging the people who drive them. It gives useful, specific information about how to prepare for, and eventually live, a car-free life. It includes a chapter about car-free dating. It promotes car-sharing for situations that require a car. It offers strategies for reducing car use for those who can’t give up their cars completely. It is full of inspiring testimonials from people all over the country who are happily living car-free (and “car-lite”) lives.

Buy How to Live Well Without Owning a Car for every prospective bus chick you know. Buy it for all your broke friends who are two value meals away from selling their plasma. Buy it for your upstairs neighbor, your Aunt Mae, and your cousin Junior. Buy it for your fraternity brothers. Buy it for your dentist.

Better yet, tell all those folks to check it out at the library. It is, after all, a book about saving money.