Bloviations

In most parts of the world (Europe, Asia, Africa and South America), the bicycle is one of the most-used forms of transportation (seconded only by feet, I’d bet). According to Ibike.org’s statistical data library, 30% of trips in the Netherlands in 1998 were by bicycle. Indeed, even in modern France, the bicycle is such a popular form of transport that bicycle rental has sky-rocketed in Paris, even though only 5% France’s total 1998 trips were by bicycle and Paris’ was less than 2%.

In America, though, it’s a different story.

Throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, cars and fuel have been relatively inexpensive (I’ll grant you the late 1970s as an exception). As a result, Americans have fled the urban city-centers for the suburban life, 5, 10 and sometimes 20 miles (or more!) away. These tremendous distances have made traveling to work more costly in today’s world of heavy sport-utility vehicles and fuel in excess of $4 (US) a gallon. It’s also made it harder to travel by alternative means, if only because there’s generally no infrastructure connecting the suburban and urban areas.

Even though the price of American gasoline has spiked to over $4 a gallon, these discouraging factors make it surprising that Americans have driven 40 billion fewer miles between January and July 2008 than the same time in 2007. Granted, all those miles weren’t replaced with cycling: Mass transit, carpooling and telecommuting have all been used in place of driving. The fact remains, though: Americans are driving less and surviving more on alternative means of travel.

Unfortunately, many cities/counties do not have substantial means of mass transit, especially in rural (or nearly rural) areas. My own home city, Jacksonville, NC, has very limited city transit (link is a PDF’ed schedule), bicycle or pedestrian support systems. The lack of these systems and the huge level of urban sprawl cause many Jacksonville residents to drive to any destination, regardless of the distance. It also means that many residents are paying for vehicles that aren’t absolutely necessary.

And, up ’til recently, I’ve been one of those people.

I’ve decided that, even in today’s Jacksonville, it’s possible to live car-lite, if not entirely car-free.

I will divest myself of the Silver Rhino (hopefully this week) and in so doing save nearly $5,000 a year in vehicle loan payments and associated fees (vehicle registration, taxes, insurance and fuel). I will use my bicycle, Jacksonville Transit and my feet as my primary means of travel. If necessary, the extra savings will allow me to rent a car for long-distance travel or a moving truck for hauling large loads.

I’ll also be documenting here the transformation from car-reliant to self-reliant.

I’ll prove that it’s possible to be car-free in Jacksonville, NC, and if it can be done here, it can be done anywhere.