Arlington's Car-Free Diet Blog

Welcome to Arlington’s Car-Free Diet, the easy, fun way to see how incredible it can feel to live a car-free or car-lite lifestyle. Each time you leave your car at home—choosing instead to ride ART or Metro, bike, walk or telework—you can save money, improve your health and clean our environment.

What About Motorcycles?

I am disappointed that the website doesn't mention motorcycling as an option. I have a motorcycle that gets over 50 miles to a gallon, or about 200 miles to a 3.5 gallon tank. I often ride the cycle to work, creating a significantly smaller carbon footprint than any hybrid vehicle on the road. And, think of how little space this takes up on the road and in parking. If only Arlington encouraged/allowed for motorcycle parking like DC does, we would see room in the county open up significantly.

I also have lockable saddle bags on my bike and can drop off dry cleaning and even buy groceries, take out food, buy other items, and run other trips (like trips to Target, the gym, softball games and friend's house) on the cycle.

Why does the county discriminate against motorcycles? I have noticed the county, in addition to omitting anything about cycles on this site, does not have laws that protect the motorcyclist as other localities do.

David Lusk, Arlington

Biking in the Burbs

I moved to Arlington two years ago from Fairfax County. I live near East Falls Church station and I work in Falls Church City, about two miles away. I took the opportunity to switch to bicycle commuting because it was a no-brainer. But I've also switched to bicycling for almost all my errands. Now the only time my car gets used is to visit my parents. I think Arlington, a metropolitan "urban county" is great about bicycle friendliness, but living on the border of Falls Church and Fairfax County, I know bicycling as transportation in the suburbs -- not just for leisure jaunts --- can be somewhat an uphill experience, and I'm brainstorming on ways I might compile online what I've learned about bicycling as a means of transportation and doing personal business to promote the Car-Free Diet in the Greater Falls Church area, which could do a great job like Arlington and be totally bikeable too.

James Moon, East Falls Church

Seeing Results from the Car-Free Diet

I used to drive to work every single day. Then I woke up one day and decided to give up driving and take public transportation instead. My decision was prompted by Walter Tejada's message on the Car-Free Diet, by  Arlington County Government's openess in including in the budget proposals spring 2008, additional bus service on the bus line I ride, and by my desire to lose weight.

To get to my bus stop, I walk 1.4 miles each way. I've combined walking and transit as a way to reduce my carbon footprint. In the process, I have saved money on gas, parking, car maintenance and improved my health -- dropped 2 dress sizes since late February 2008.

Muna Salim, Arlington, VA

Car-Free in Cleveland

My husband and I moved to Portland, Oregon in May 2006 on a whim and sold our car right before moving. We traveled around Portland during our time there (through September 2007) entirely by transit, which was very easy to do because Portland has such a great transit system.

Upon moving back to Ohio for family reasons, we thought we'd need to get a car right away, but haven't yet because we realized we had gotten so used to our public transit lifestyle, that we felt no need to buy a car. It's all a matter of re-prioritizing and time management. No, grocery shopping isn't one big trip on the weekends; it's a number of smaller trips throughout the week. Going to Cleveland's West Side Market isn't a quick five minute drive, but it's a 20 minute bus ride that takes us through a really cool neighborhood.

We do carpool from time to time with friends to get places, but for the most part, it's walking and public transit for us and we honestly wouldn't have it any other way.

Clara Sayre, Lakewood, OH

Commute from Arlington to Tysons on Bike

I bike to work in Tysons Corner four or five days a week (23 miles roundtrip), year round. I keep a list of mass transit options handy for days it snows/ices while at work so I can easliy get to a bus or Metro to get home. Walk to most places in the neighborhood for food, etc., and try to limit my big grocery/Target runs to once every couple weeks. My wife walks to work as well.

Matt Robinson, Arlington,VA

Car-Free for Exercise and the Environment

I have lived car-free in Arlington for three years and believe it creates the best exercise I could engage in while I reduce my carbon footprint significantly.

One of the best tools I use is the weeknight 7:02 4A Metrobus to Culmore. This runs right in front of my apartment and drops me two blocks from my destination, the UU Church of Arlington, where I have many meetings that all begin at 7:30 pm.

For Earth Day 2008, our Environmental Committee at church will ask every member to take alternative transportation at least once during the month of April. We have created an account with "iCarPool" service and hope to enroll at least 400 people in the next year.

Laura Dely, Arlington, VA

Biking, not driving, in Toronto

I primarily walk and use public transit already, but I am taking a bike repair course and fixing up my old bike so that I can bike places and rely less on buses and subways. As soon as the snow melts, I plan to start biking on all of my trips.

Lauren Butler, Toronto, ON, Canada

Car-Free in Arlington: First by Choice and Now by Necessity

I live and work in Arlington and have always tried to live a car-free/car-lite lifestyle. With two small kids and unforgiving deadlines for drop-offs and pick-ups, however, I must admit that I have not always been able to live up to my car-free standards. Then I had foot surgery in early January. While the surgery took only two hours, recovery requires two months in a cast and on crutches, plus one month in one of those stylish walking boots. Oh, and NO DRIVING for the three-month duration. 

I'm at the halfway point and the transition has been remarkably easy. Why?  One word: options...

1. I live just two houses down from a street served by three bus lines and just four blocks from the closest Metro train station. These transit options get me almost everywhere I need to go.

2. My employer offers transit benefits so buses and Metro rides are no extra expense.

3. I've been carpooling with my family and hitching rides with friends and neighbors when needed, particularly for school and extracurricular activities.

4. I've taken the occasional cab, though only when absolutely necessary.

Just yesterday, my choices in this final category multiplied with the addition of EnviroCab to the Arlington scene.

Billed as the first carbon-negative taxi operator in the country, EnviroCab uses only hybrid vehicles that conserve gas by running on electric motors at certain speeds. Since these cars still emit carbons, EnviroCab plans to buy carbon offsets from carbonfund.org to achieve its carbon-negative goal.

EnviroCab hit Arlington streets on February 11, with 15 taxis. Another 25 will be added to the fleet by the end of February. All are Ford Escape or Toyota Prius hybrid vehicles.

As luck would have it, I had an opportunity to try this new green Arlington cab service yesterday when I found myself without any other way to pick up my kids from the extended day program at school. Minutes after calling 703-920-3333, I was met by a friendly cab driver in his brightly painted green and white Toyota Prius, threw my crutches in the pristine back seat, and fastened my seatbelt.

In the short round-trip to my kids' school , we attracted a lot of attention from fellow commuters as well as from the elementary school kids who saw us pull up alongside the playground. Once inside the cab, my 8-year-old son marvelled at the high-tech mapping and tracking devices that helped us navigate the 1.5-mile trip home. My daughter liked the colorful paint job and knowing that we weren't polluting.

Minutes later, we were back home. The fare was no more than a traditional cab ride, and the emissions were far less. The trip was also educational, as I learned that Arlington-based Red Top cab purchased five hybrid Escapes last year, providing yet another green cab option here in Arlington.

While I would have preferred not to undergo foot surgery or the subsequent marathon recovery,  I sure am glad I could recover in Arlington. Whether bus or metro, car-pooling or green cabs, Arlington has a car-free or car-lite option for everyone -- and you don't even have to be on crutches to try them all!

Lauren Hassel, Arlington, Virginia

Car-Free in Wisconsin

More car-free folks like me. That is the reason for visiting the Arlington website and reading about all that you are doing to improve yourselfs and community. It's true -- life is better when you don't own a car.

I have been living car-free with my wife and three children in Wisconsin for almost five years. If we can do it in Wisconsin, you can do it in Virginia!

Some think this is made more difficult with kids, but our children are more motivation and inspiration to keep going! They are more confident and independent than their peers and frankly, don't tire as easily.

I wish you great success with this campaign and hope you inspire many more people to challenge themselves to live more and drive less!

B. Henderson, Eau Claire, Wisconsin

January 29 Car-Free Diet Expo Features "How To Live Well Without Owning A Car" Author Chris Balish

Co-host of the TV show The CW Now and author of How To Live Well Without Owning A Car, Chris Balish, will be visiting the area from Los Angeles as he attends Arlington's Car-Free Diet Expo on Tuesday morning, January 29. This is your chance to meet the author and get an autographed and free copy of the Special Arlington, Virginia Edition of his book, which can be your practical guide for going on the Car-Free Diet.

Says Google about the book:

"The first practical, accessible, and sensible guide to living in North America without owning a car. It exposes the true costs of car ownership and shows how getting rid of your car can simplify your life and put you on the road to financial freedom. The book is packed with realistic, economical alternatives to owning a car, including chapters on carsharing, carpooling, and even car-free dating. It includes more than 100 real-world tips, strategies, and success stories from people who are happily car-free or "car-lite," from cities to suburbs. According to a 2004 American Automobile Association study, the average American spends $8,410 per year (roughly $700 per month) to own a vehicle."

The Expo, held at the hotel Palomar in Rosslyn, has two sessions. The first from 8:00 - 10:00 am is designed for the business community and property managers to help them help their employees and tenants go car-free or car-lite. The second session from 10:30 until 12:00 noon is designed to give anyone practical tips on going car-free or car-lite. All attendees will receive a free autographed copy of Mr. Balish's book and be eligible for many prizes being given away by the dozen vendors there to provide you with information. RSVP today!  Send us an email or call 703.247.9299.

And here's a fun YouTube video of a report from a L.A. TV station report about Chris' story about the book. Hope to see you at the Expo!

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Chris Hamilton is the Commuter Services Chief for Arlington County, manager of CommuterPageBlog and a biking/Metro commuter from Rosemont in Alexandria.

Giving Up My Car to Make a Political Statement

In the summer of 2006, my 1996 red Volkswagen Jetta remained idle in the parking lot of my apartment building as I bagan to take the 3A Metrobus to Rosslyn Metro Station for my commute in Georgetown.

(Some people say it's impossible to get into Georgetown via public transportation; even though it is tunnel-less, it is not bus-less. The 38B and the Georgetown Metro Connection take me into and out of Georgetown in very time-friendly manners.)

And then three months later, at the gasping of friends and the wrinkled brows of family, I -- a young, 20-something professional and social butterfly -- gave away my car, and have been car-free ever since.

With the current and on-going environmental concerns, and the ever-so-daunting political arguments over the war, oil and economy, Ifelt it was my duty to contribute the only way I could. By giving up my car, I do my part of cleansing the air (among other things) and making a political statement.

Julie Weber, Arlington

Go Car-Free and Feel Zenned Out, Relaxed and Lighter

Last month we found found inspiration for going car-free in a story from Los Angeles (Inspiration for Going Car-Free from L.A. Yes, That's Los Angeles, December 16, 2007) about Simon Pastucha, city planner and father of two, who went car-free. So now comes another inspirational car-free story from the city everyone associates with the automobile. This time, L.A. Times blogger Seil - who writes the environmental blog Emerald City: Siel Follows The Road To Green Living Los Angeles - shares the story of "L.A. girl Kathryn Pope" (Car-Free in L.A.: Girl Meets Motorboard, January 17) who is going car-free by using a combination of an electric motorboard scooter, public transit and carsharing. Says Kathryn:

"Then once this October, while the car was in the shop, I decided not to let my car interfere with my life anymore, and I took the bus. I read while I traveled. I watched people around me. I looked out the window. And when I got where I was going, I was downright zenned out."

The zen-like experience led Kathryn to make the decision to eventually go car-free. And now she says:

"The thing I'm enjoying most about being car-free is how relaxed I've become. It actually feels like a luxury to let someone else drive me from place to place. I feel more a part of the community, because I'm not isolated from it, and I feel considerably lighter."

Now that's very nicely said, isn't it?

You can follow Kathryn's story in Siel's "De-car-ing" series.

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Chris Hamilton is the Commuter Services Chief for Arlington County, manager of CommuterPageBlog and a biking/Metro commuter from Rosemont in Alexandria.

Learn How To Go Car-Free or Car-Lite at Arlington's Car-Free Expo January 29

The first must-attend "green" event of the 2008 season is Arlington's Car-Free Diet Expo. The event, to be held at the brand spanking new and gleaming Hotel Palomar in Rosslyn (2 blocks from the Metro) on the morning of January 29, has something for everyone. Breakfast will be provided. Attendees can register to win many door prizes and everyone will get a chance to meet Chris Balish and receive a free autographed copy of the "Special Arlington Virginia" edition of his book "How To Live Well Without Owning A Car."

Employers and property managers will get to learn about the services of Arlington Transportation Partners. Everyone will get to attend speed learning sessions with national experts covering information on transportation services and programs as well as other green services available in Arlington. Fresh AIRE and Arlington Recycles staff will also be on hand to teach you what your business or property can do to be environmentally friendly.

Exhibitors include Zipcar, TeleworkVA!, GoLoco, Whole Foods, Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment, Fresh AIRE, Bike and Walk Arlington, Arlington Recycles and many more (for a full list visit the Expo web page). Each of these vendors will be providing great prizes including free energy audits and more. These will be listed on the web site shortly.

Visit Arlington's Car-Free Diet Expo web page for more information and don't forget to RSVP. Send us an email or call 703.247.9299. See you on the 29th!

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Chris Hamilton is the Commuter Services Chief for Arlington County, manager of CommuterPageBlog and a biking/Metro commuter from Rosemont in Alexandria.

Car-Free in Milwaukee!?

A couple of weeks ago I was riding the Metro and overheard an interesting interaction.  A newbie rider got on, and a conversation ensued between her and a couple of other riders, who seemed to be regulars.  She mentioned that she was from Milwaukee, and one of her interlocutors mentioned that he had gone to college there a decade or so ago.  So, as people will, they chatted about various places they knew in common and were having quite a pleasant little talk.  Then out of nowhere the gentleman who had gone to college there said, ". . .and it's easy to live there without a car."
What a surprise!--for a couple of reasons.

First, the whole idea of relating to a stranger that living without a car is an advantage in our car-culture society was quite unusual.  And second, Milwaukee is not a city that immediately comes to mind when one thinks of places to live without owning cars.

So if they can do it in Milwaukee, then the Car-Free diet in Arlington should be even easier.  Those of you who read Chris Balish's How to Live Well Without a Car may recall that the author started out in St. Louis, which is probably not that dissimilar from Milwaukee for living car-free.
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Steve Offutt is an Arlington resident who lives car-lite, but yearns for the day he can be car-free again.

A couple of weeks ago I was riding the Metro and overheard an interesting interaction.  A newbie rider got on, and a conversation ensued between her and a couple of other riders, who seemed to be regulars.  She mentioned that she was from Milwaukee, and one of her interlocutors mentioned that he had gone to college there a decade or so ago.  So, as people will, they chatted about various places they knew in common and were having quite a pleasant little talk.  Then out of nowhere the gentleman who had gone to college there said, ". . .and it's easy to live there without a car."
What a surprise!--for a couple of reasons.

First, the whole idea of relating to a stranger that living without a car is an advantage in our car-culture society was quite unusual.  And second, Milwaukee is not a city that immediately comes to mind when one thinks of places to live without owning cars.

So if they can do it in Milwaukee, then the Car-Free diet in Arlington should be even easier.  Those of you who read Chris Balish's How to Live Well Without a Car may recall that the author started out in St. Louis, which is probably not that dissimilar from Milwaukee for living car-free.
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Steve Offutt is an Arlington resident who lives car-lite, but yearns for the day he can be car-free again.

New Car that I Don't Drive

I own a fairly new car. I have not driven this car since the day I bought it because I rely exclusively on the Metrobus and Metrorail for commuting. I live in a small, expensive apartment where I tolerate large rent increases every year just so I can walk to the excellent public transportation nearby.

Marie Kessler, Arlington

Nothing New to Me

All this is nothing new to me. I have been without a car for over 7 years. I live near Metro and use Zipcars if I need to. I also walk to many places in Arlington and Washington, DC. By doing so I save money and burn calories not gas...

David Franciosi, Arlington

Car-Free Diet Success Story

I gave up my car in July  and it has been the healthiest decision I have ever made. I have since lost 10 pounds and a couple of dress sizes. I saw the poster on the Metro about the Car-Free Diet and I realized that the diet was working for me.

Kathleen Mackin, Alexandria

Commuter Kicks Car Habit

Two years ago, Simon Pastucha (pictured here) - an urban designer and planner for the city of Los Angeles - left his Mercedes SUV at the dealership and hasn't looked back. But how does a professional with children and far-flung meetings survive in car-centric Los Angeles without owning an automobile? Quite easily, I found after tagging along with Pastucha on his commute. Click here for the rest of the story from the Daily News in Los Angeles, December 5, 2007 by Kerry Cavanaugh.

Simon Pastucha, Los Angeles, California

Take the Bus and Lose Weight

Taking the bus to work 2 - 3 times a week has certainly made a difference. I save money, gas, and catch up on my reading. As an added bonus, I'm loosing weight and sleeping better because I elect to walk part of the way instead of taking an extra bus. Eventually, I want to increase utilizing transit use to 4 days a week.

R.F., Columbia Pike

I Don't Own a Car

In this town, if you live and work near a Metro, owning a car fulltime is unnecessary. I don't own a car and haven't for three years. I primarily take Metro to work, on rare occasions I will ride my bike and on days where I have to do other tasks (laundry, drycleaning, shopping, etc.) I will rent a car from Hertz local edition (and when I do I rent it for three weekend days as the rate is only $18.00 a day.)

Greg Howard, Alexandria

A Car-Free Day Trip

Arlington schools were closed for teacher planning on election day. Spending the day at home with my two elementary school-age kids sounded like a recipe for disaster.  But what kind of traffic-free day trip could we pull off on a Tuesday, with morning and evening rush hours limiting our options?  Then I had an idea, a wonderful, green, cheap, and car-free idea!

My kids have long admired the double-decker Virginia Railway Express (VRE) commuter trains from afar, but as Arlington residents, we never had a reason to take a commuter train to the outer suburbs.  I had considered taking them on a VRE ride on a holiday, only to find out that the commuter trains don't run on holidays.  But this day off was different. Since election day is not a holiday, the VRE trains run on normal schedules.  In other words, this was the perfect opportunity to take a day trip via train to the end of the line, be it Manassas or Fredericksburg.

I did some research by calling the VRE information line and got some great tips from a very helpful staff member. He explained that most VRE trains are reserved for commuters, and only certain routes at certain times allow walk-up passengers. For our purposes, none of the Fredericksburg trains met those criteria, but several Manassas runs did.

I learned that my fare would be $7.20 each way, my 8-year-old son's would be 1/2 price, and my 5-year-old daughter would be free. The VRE information specialist further advised me to buy round-trip tickets at the Gray Line booth at Union Station in order to get the half-price fare for my son. Apparently, ticket machines at the stations only sell full-fare tickets.

We arrived at Union Station by metrorail around noon, bought our round-trip VRE Manassas line tickets at the Gray Line tours booth in the Union Station parking garage, then located the track where we could catch the 1:15 train. We spent the next 45 minutes exploring Union Station and people-watching.

At 1:00, we decided to wait on the platform, watching passengers board the Fredericksburg train and forgetting for a moment that we were only going to go about 30 miles west of DC! As the excitement mounted, the Manassas train pulled in.

My kids surged forward, and we made our way up the stairs onto the train, then up again to the top level. They settled into their upholstered seats and minutes later, we were on our way.  The urban scenery from downtown to the Potomac River through Crystal City to Alexandria gave way to vivid autumn trees set off by occasional subdivisions, streams, and VRE stations.

We barely had time to read The Little Engine That Could when we pulled into the historic depot at Manassas, in the heart of Old Town, around 2:30.  We looked around the train station museum, made use of the very clean restrooms, grabbed some information at the adjacent visitors center, and crossed the tracks to eat a late lunch at one of the many restaurants within walking distance of the station.

After lunch, we still had plenty of time to wander around Old Town Manassas and scored some bargains at the local thrift shop minutes before they closed.  We then returned to the pavilion across the tracks from the depot, played catch, and ran around until it was time to get back to the station.

The 5:15 train was right on time, and we boarded and made our way to the upper level without incident.  This train was newer than the first, and we sat at a table with space-age seats that looked like they belonged on a rocket!  It was dark for the return trip, so we decided to play cards instead of admiring the scenery. I taught my son how to play gin rummy while my daughter drew pictures. We looked around, and there was only one other passenger on our car -- a private coach!

Before we knew it, we were back at Union Station and heading to the metro for our return trip to Arlington. We arrived home by 7:00 p.m. feeling energized and triumphant.  After all, we'd avoided the rush hour delays and stress that go with driving, while enjoying some rare quality time, courtesy of a very comfortable and civilized VRE passenger experience. 

So next time you're in the mood for a day trip, look no further than Virginia Railway Express and go car-free!  Just make sure it's a non-holiday weekday and do a little research before you head out!

Lauren Hassel
Arlington

Car-Free Lifestyle by Choice

We have been living without a car for 17 years in various places throughout the country including over 7 years in the DC area. This has included such places as Cape May, NJ; San Juan, PR; New Orleans, LA; and others. We rent a car on occassion to do extended travel or take a taxi if other means are unavailable, but all other trips are done by bike or mass transit options.

Being in the military (Coast Guard), we get transferred every 3 years or so. Each time we move, we have to decide where we want to live -- proximity to work, shopping, military facilities, medical care, churches, fitness activities, cultural events, etc. Balance of work/life is very high in our priority so if I can live within a 5 mile bike ride of my workplace, that will provide more time at home.

It is a lifestyle choice rather than an environmental choice. We want to have a better life and by biking/walking as our mode of transportation, we are staying healthy and helping the environment.

Daryl Schaffer, Court House

Biking in Arlington

Because of all the nice bike lanes in Arlington, I recently bought a new Trek bike with an automatic transmission. I have been riding the bike to work in DC whenever it doesn't rain which, thanks to global warming, makes that just about every day of the week. My car is sitting in the garage all the time now. Well, it's paid for but I hardly ever use it now. Dare I sell it? I have a FlexCar membership now. I'm trying to build up my nerve. Owning a car seems stupid if one  has a brain. I think I'll take the plunge and ditch it.

Joshua

From DC to Rosslyn Car-free

  My morning metro ride from Judiciary Square to Rosslyn gives me a head-start on my work-out.  Each morning I walk up the sometimes seemingly endless escalator at Rosslyn, tallying about 86 steps before I've even had my morning coffee.  The extra steps help get me moving and also make room for a Reese's peanut butter cup in the afternoon-plus I get into the office about 5 minutes faster!

Carly Nider

Car-Lite in Bellview Forest

I don't live close to Metro, so it is a bit more work to go on a reduced car diet. I can take the 15L Metrobus in the AM or the ART bus to Rosslyn or Ballston. I Metro or take the 23A Metrobus to Crystal City. Then it is the Metrobus 9S.  It is a bit of work, but no parking woes!

Yvette Hopkins, Bellview Forest

Car-Lite in Williamsburg

I generally take the ART bus 52 or 53 to the East Falls Church Metro. Then it is a straigh shot on the Orange line to Eastern Market. Roundtrip cost per day is $7.00, but that is a bargain. If I drove, parking alone would be $10 a day. We have gotten rid of one car and use our remaining car for errands when we can't bus, walk, or bike. I also use Flexcar for those times when we need to rent a larger vehicle on weekends. We ride our bikes to the Falls Church Farmers Market on Saturdays. My only complaint is that the ART bus does not run on weekends in our neighborhood. If it did, we could be even more car-free.

Jaydee Hanson, Williamsburg neighborhood

Car-lite in Clarendon-Courthouse

The four of us—mom, dad, and two kids—live in Clarendon-Courthouse with one car. Dad bikes to work, mom takes the Metro, and we walk to elementary school and drive the preschooler. We walk to the grocery store, the farmer’s market, etc. As the kids get older, there are more and competing demands on the car . . . that’s when a Zipcar comes in handy. But sometimes we bike to make up the difference—our seven-year-old loves that. We consider living in a walkable and bikeable community to be a huge blessing and an important choice. The extra money we spent on housing is balanced by the money we save on gas, no car payment, less insurance, and less time spent commuting. Walking and biking places makes us healthier and better connects us to the community.

- Kristine Wood

Biking and walking in Clarendon

I’ve been a walking commuter in Arlington for quite some time. When I was a kid, my bike was my transportation. Then I grew up and was able to drive myself to wherever I needed (or wanted) to go. Now I’ve seen my future, and it’s back in my past! Biking in Arlington is awesome. When I originally thought about getting a bike, I thought I would be doing more recreational, fun biking—e.g., on the many trails around here. But now that I’m becoming more comfortable on the bike and more familiar with the bike lanes and bike ways, I’m discovering that bike as transport is incredibly convenient. And, yes, fun. I found this neat wire basket that snaps right onto the rear rack of my bike. It’s sturdy and has a handle, so I can carry it right into the store, into work, and even around the farmer’s market. And since it snaps onto that standard rack, my husband can use it, too. The other morning, I biked to a meeting at Central Library, then I biked to my office at Courthouse Plaza. A quick commute in the gorgeous weather—and fun, too!

- Diana Sun

Car-lite in Columbia Pike

My family just sold our second car and are doing great without it. We stopped using our second car about six months ago to determine if car-lite living would work for us. Our little experiment proves to me that we’ll thrive as a one-car family. Our initial inspiration for car-lite living was the film Who Killed the Electric Car? Although we own a gas-electric hybrid car, our hybrids of choice are human-electric hybrids—namely, electric bicycles. We have substantially minimized our driving, saved money formerly spent on car repairs and gas, improved our fitness, and reduced our waistlines. Plus, our bicycles are much more fun than driving. The electric bikes virtually flatten hills and make restarts at traffic signals easy. Since our nearest Metrorail station is approximately three miles away, I was initially hesitant to give up our second car. It turns out that transportation without a car is easier than I expected. I walk to stores that are near my home and commute to work by bicycle. I ride Metrobus on the few days that the weather is snowy or icy and have signed up for Flexcar in the rare case I need a car for a few hours.

- Amy Adler

Car-lite in Ballston

I guess we would fall under the car-lite category. We have just the one car, a small Geo Prizm for a family of four. We bought it for its fuel economy. The car is used pretty much daily to take our son to preschool and to run errands, but we don’t put many miles on it. It’s twelve years old and going strong, since we use it so little. We try to avoid driving. I’d much rather be doing other things. I walk about 1.5 miles to the Ballston Metro each day to ride downtown to work, and then I walk about four blocks downtown to my office. I do the reverse to get home. I’ve been doing it every day from this house for the last ten years. When we were shopping for our house back then, it was a requirement that it be walking distance to Metro. I’ve been taking Metro to work for sixteen years. The walk each day is a relaxing way to unwind after work as I come home, and it really keeps me in shape. We walk to the nearby playgrounds, and walk to the Safeway for small trips to pick up a handful of items if we have run out of something. Our daughter and I ride bikes on the nearby bike paths for fun.

- Karen and Daniel Ruff