Category Archives: Writing

In this case, the “you” is actually “I”. I’m selling my car after I return from a road trip, and the proud new owner of the 1997 Subaru Legacy will be able to appreciate all the things I do appreciate about it. But, I’m done with owning cars. I’ve been building up a bicycle to take the place of car transport, even through the winters in beautifully cold Madison, Wisconsin. I’ve ridden to the airport, I’ve got front and back panniers, and I’m about to pick up a bike trailer from a friend when I get back home. There’s really nothing left that I can’t do with either shoes and my feet, or a two wheeled, human-powered vehicle. This is a privilege to be able to design a life (and particularly obligations around time and distance) that doesn’t include a car in Wisconsin of all states. But here I am, and it’s not as difficult as you think. First of all, there is the option of getting an electric bicycle. That reduces the sweat fear that haunts many prospective bike commuters. And there are so many wonderful ways to stay dry (motorcyclist galoshes fit right over my dressier shoes) and rain ponchos can be super cool. The cold can be alleviated with huge mittens and rain/wind proof mittens combined, along with thick boots and lots of top layers (and don’t forget to get studded tires to keep on trucking over even sheer ice). So it’s doable. And fantastic. Transportation is the leading cause of air pollution in Wisconsin, and air pollution is one of the leading causes of premature death in the world. The air in Wisconsin is sometimes clean and fresh, but it’s often gross and yellowish too. There’s lots of ozone along the Lake Michigan shore, NOX is a problem across the state, and particulate matter can be pretty rough depending on the wind and weather and traffic (and industrial things too). But less combustion engine use to get humans and things to move around is an almost completely good thing, of which there are few (particularly if you’re using your body to propel yourself). If you’re interested in a free session to talk through how to get rid of your car, get in touch via the contact form on my consulting website, Patch Street Strategy. Almost anyone can make the car-free life happen, particularly as public transportation is safer and more available as the pandemic eventually wanes.