Interesting data from Greater Greater Washington shows a nice swath of car-free households! Of course, there are two main reasons you might not have a car: 1) you need a car, but you can't afford it or 2) you can afford a car, but don't need it. I'll take glass-half-full for both. For those that can't afford a car, they can be car-free just by virtue of public transport available in cities.* In far too many places, public transit is unavailable or abysmal. There, even the poor need to own a car to get to work or school and buy groceries - and by necessity must shoulder the costs of gas, insurance, maintenance and car payments. For those who can afford a car, but don't need it, public transit and walkable communities allow them to choose to live car-free. Yippee!
I do own a car, though I arguably don't need it. I have a metro station 1.5 blocks a way, a bus on my corner, and a Capital BikeShare membership - plus, I like to walk. I can get to work door-to door by public transit in less than 30 minutes (Thank god!). My neighborhood amenities are plentiful - a coffee shop within 3 blocks, a supermarket within 5 blocks, and a commercial district with shops and restaurants within 1 mile of my house. Despite all that, my car sure makes things easier when lugging around a kid and her associated stuff. On most weeks, my car does not leave it's parking space for 4-5 days straight.
And Happy 4th Birthday to my Prius! You look and feel great @ 28,118 miles, 40+ mpg!
*Yes, I'm aware that the poor are increasingly squeezed out of great city living because of lack of affordable housing. Haven't reconciled this. More affordable, housing and mixed income development! But that's a different post, I'm not capable of taking on here and now.
