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Pedestrians and other Non-Drivers - 7/21/2008 10:31:22 PM   
fungasm


Posts: 321
Joined: 8/2/2007
Status: offline 		Thinking about the other thread on Driving (which got a bit off track), I'd love to hear more about people's thoughts on those of us who prefer not to drive. 

I hire someone to hire to drive when I need to, and if she isn't available, I have a couple friends who love to loan me their car for an afternoon and have it come back with a full gas tank if I really do need a car.   I spend less than $200-300 a month on transportation, which is much  less than I was spending when I had maintenance, gas, insurance, etc...

But the important thing is- I LIKE not driving.  When I need something done, I get on my bicycle or I take a walk.  I like that it keeps me in shape, and I love waving at my neighbors and seeing what their gardens are doing.

Without digressing into other topics, who else prefers to be a pedestrian?

Alison

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RE: Pedestrians and other Non-Drivers - 7/21/2008 10:35:14 PM   
NakedOnMyChain


Posts: 2431
Joined: 11/29/2004
From: Indiana
Status: offline 		I would love to have the option, but it this town, there really isn't one.  The bus route is small and the city is much larger than that.

I walk when I can, and I drive as little as possible.  I enjoy it.

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RE: Pedestrians and other Non-Drivers - 7/21/2008 11:38:21 PM   
slaveboyforyou


Posts: 3607
Joined: 1/6/2005
From: Arkansas, U.S.A.
Status: offline 		I would walk more if there were places nearby to walk to, but there's not.  When I used to live in Little Rock, I lived right downtown.  I walked all the time.   I had a bar right across the street from my building, several restaurants within 10 minutes walking distance of me, a video store right up the block, a couple of parks, and a small grocery store right up the street.  It was great, but I still liked having my car.  I like the ability to just get up and go when I feel like it.  Public transport and bicycles will only take you so far.  But with a car, you can take a weekend trip down to some out of the way place.  It's a nice freedom to have. 

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RE: Pedestrians and other Non-Drivers - 7/21/2008 11:42:30 PM   
ownedgirlie


Posts: 9184
Joined: 2/5/2006
Status: offline 		Walking isn't really an option where I am because of the sprawl, and bike riding in 100+ degree weather is a no-can-do for me.  So it's driving with mucho air conditioning for me.

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RE: Pedestrians and other Non-Drivers - 7/22/2008 7:46:44 AM   
sub4hire


Posts: 6775
Joined: 1/1/2004
Status: offline 		We live on a hill...a kick your ass on a bike hill.  We walk up it daily when we walk the dogs.  No idea what sort of shape I'd have to be in to actually make it up the hill on a bike.  I haven't even seen any kids manage to do it yet.

From time to time we do put the bikes in the back of the truck..take them down into town for a ride.

Anyway, when I lived in California I also lived on a hill and yes I enjoyed riding my bike to the grocery store...etc.  I imagine if I lived somewhere where they actually had public transportation I wouldn't even own a car.  Though, I do not.
So, its a car for me..the bike is for enjoyment so is the walking.


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RE: Pedestrians and other Non-Drivers - 7/22/2008 7:54:27 AM   
christine1


Posts: 6155
Joined: 12/15/2007
From: i'm headed to HIM...
Status: offline 		OP, i'd love to live in a place where i could walk or take a bike somewhere, if i had that option i'd prefer to be a  pedestrian.  as it is it isn't an option for me but my car is paid off and very good on gas, so between insurance and gas i maybe spend 150 a month...not bad for having the freedom it gives me.

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RE: Pedestrians and other Non-Drivers - 7/22/2008 8:44:02 AM   
camille65


Posts: 5746
Joined: 7/11/2007
From: Austin Texas
Status: offline 		Crap it is 8 miles one way to the nearest grocery store & gas station... there is no way I am riding a bicycle with that kind of distance. Not to mention riding bikes on gravel roads is not fun.

My plan is to move to a city where I can ride a bike or walk to stores. I want very much to be in the middle of things instead of far far way. Museums, galleries, good dining. None of that is available in my teensy town and dammit I want city life!


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RE: Pedestrians and other Non-Drivers - 7/22/2008 8:48:21 AM   
Lynnxz


Posts: 4813
Joined: 10/3/2006
From: Atlanta
Status: offline 		I'd love to ride a bike, but like some other people, I'm right in the middle of urban sprawl. It might be cooler though... my trucks heater won't turn off.

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RE: Pedestrians and other Non-Drivers - 7/22/2008 8:57:57 AM   
pahunkboy


Posts: 33061
Joined: 2/26/2006
From: Central Pennsylvania
Status: offline 		I started using my bike more.  I go to rx, the crediit union, city hall, the library, the dollar store and the grocery store [but it is more expensive...and doesnt have best selection.

I purposely moved the rx and bank so as to bike there.  I do end up saving abit- I have some stamina now- racks are expensive- with a rack I could do laundrymat and more the a few snall items.

on route 11-15,  the whole 6 mile stretch, "no pedestrian crossing".   Bikes in the entire valley are not welcomed.  particularly at CVS.

It floors me that in this low income area- that more people dont ride a bike.

I do still own a 1998 chevy and 1991 chevy pick up truck, I usually have a full tank in them.  I use them for hauling or rain.

Bikes cost about $80.   accessories are where it gets costly.

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RE: Pedestrians and other Non-Drivers - 7/22/2008 10:07:30 AM   
ownedgirlie


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quote:

ORIGINAL: pahunkboy
Bikes cost about $80.   accessories are where it gets costly.



Eek, I was looking for just a basic cheap bike for my sister and the lowest I found was $200.  So I abandoned that and started looking for a used one for her.  Accessories are pricey, though.  Attachable bike pump - $40.  Mileage tracker - $40.  Helmet - $40.  I laughed at the local bike shop because pretty much everything was $40!!

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RE: Pedestrians and other Non-Drivers - 7/22/2008 10:26:23 AM   
christine1


Posts: 6155
Joined: 12/15/2007
From: i'm headed to HIM...
Status: offline 		owned...my friend just bought a bike for herself at toys4us for 60 bucks on sale.  it seems to be a great bike.  if your sis isn't needing the latest in technology and all that stuff, maybe she can check there.

eta:  a few summers ago, my son was in an accident on his bike with a moving and very large vehicle...the only reason he is alive is becuase he had a very good helmet...i wouldn't go cheap on a helmet.

< Message edited by christine1 -- 7/22/2008 10:27:29 AM >

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RE: Pedestrians and other Non-Drivers - 7/22/2008 10:46:56 AM   
pahunkboy


Posts: 33061
Joined: 2/26/2006
From: Central Pennsylvania
Status: offline 		I am talking a simple bike from Walmart.  

I dont need folding as I stick my bike in trunck with abit tied down and it works.

bike shops are expensive.   the bike i have i was out maybe 1 mile away and the peddle fell off. i looked  for the bolt for an hour.  i located 3 bolts..none were THE bolt.  so the bike shop was good for that.  $1.06  for it + the nab put it on. [i asked as there is a special tool]

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RE: Pedestrians and other Non-Drivers - 7/22/2008 10:56:45 AM   
CallaFirestormBW


Posts: 3651
Joined: 6/29/2008
Status: offline 		This city is -lethal- to pedestrians, bicyclers, etc.... in fact, if you have anything smaller than a Shermann Tank, you're putting your neck on the line. (I learned this the hard way when I tried to survive riding on our streets on a Honda scooter... the lesson made an 'impact' when I had a close encounter of the driven-over kind after being t-boned by a Chevy Trailblazer that then proceeded to drive right over me and my scooter that it had just downed!)

I can't wait to see what happens here when the oil runs out!

CF


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RE: Pedestrians and other Non-Drivers - 7/22/2008 6:10:51 PM   
kyraofMists


Posts: 3292
Joined: 7/29/2005
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: sub4hire

We live on a hill...a kick your ass on a bike hill. 


LOL... this made me laugh.

We live on a hill too and our house is about half-way up.  In winter, cars even have a hard time getting up the hill.  We can look at the window and when they get about even with our house, they start sliding back.  I can laugh at it, because even I have a hard time getting up the hill sometimes in my SUV.

The other day, we were driving home and saw a girl on roller-blades starting to go up the hill.  We both chuckled at how hard that was going to be.  We parked the car and started taking out our packages and a few minutes later we see her jogging up the hill with her skates in her hand  lol

I can make it to our house on a bike, but it will take a lot more work to get all the way up the hill.  It is a goal to work towards though!

Knight's Kyra

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RE: Pedestrians and other Non-Drivers - 7/22/2008 8:42:21 PM   
Vendaval


Posts: 10297
Joined: 1/15/2005
Status: offline 		If you are looking for a less expensive bicycle try the local police  and sheriff's deptartments.  In this area dozens of unclaimed bicycles (college town + thousands of students) are sold off to make extra money.  Also check any local college or university "For Sale" bulletin boards or web sites.  Some of my friends trade stuff all the time on freecycle.org and at garage sales, swap meets, etc. You some can find a nice bike for little or nothing in good condition.

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RE: Pedestrians and other Non-Drivers - 7/22/2008 8:45:41 PM   
CruelDesires


Posts: 824
Joined: 11/20/2004
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Lynnxz

I'd love to ride a bike, but like some other people, I'm right in the middle of urban sprawl. It might be cooler though... my trucks heater won't turn off.


Have someone pull the heater's fuse if it is on its own circuit. Then reinstall it when it gets cold.

CD

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RE: Pedestrians and other Non-Drivers - 7/23/2008 8:07:32 PM   
Fnordstrum


Posts: 164
Joined: 2/14/2006
Status: offline 		Heh, I've been biking to/from work for years.. anywhere else I either bike or walk, generally... If it's too far to bike or walk, I just get a ride from someone, there really isn't anywhere that far away that I'd be going by myself anyway.

It's definitely useful for getting exercise, and definitely cheaper than having / driving a car... Plus biking to work gets me more ready for work than if I got a ride in or something, perhaps analogous to some people's coffee in the morning, but I don't drink coffee (or anything caffeinated, since I'm allergic) so I don't know.

Fnord.

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RE: Pedestrians and other Non-Drivers - 7/24/2008 12:26:42 AM   
Monkeyontuesday


Posts: 357
Joined: 2/29/2008
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: ownedgirlie

Walking isn't really an option where I am because of the sprawl, and bike riding in 100+ degree weather is a no-can-do for me.  So it's driving with mucho air conditioning for me.

Hear, hear, darling! I second that!


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RE: Pedestrians and other Non-Drivers - 7/24/2008 1:18:49 AM   
L8bloomer


Posts: 480
Joined: 6/1/2008
From: Your imagination
Status: offline 		When I first moved to Hawai`i, I didn't have a car for the first 2 years. Carrying groceries home was a b*tch. I had to rent a car if I made any large purchases and that was rather pricey given the cost of insurance, which, more often than not, was more than the cost of the rental itself. If it wasn't for groceries or buying large items, it would all be okay. You're fortunate to have friends who will loan you their vehicle.

Right now, where I live, not having a car is entirely impractical. But I'm planning to move and when I do, I may end up ditching the car. Not literally of course. ;)

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RE: Pedestrians and other Non-Drivers - 7/24/2008 3:58:40 AM   
SweetNika


Posts: 955
Joined: 4/19/2008
From: Forest Hills, Maryland
Status: offline 		I walk when ever I can and don't really mind it although this week due to the humidity and heat here I have had to rethink walking to work.

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