I live in an ideal part of the suburbs. I’m close to my work, school, the swimming pool, the grocery store, etc.,. In many instances, the scooter is more consistently faster than driving and finding parking.
Commute times (door to door):
: Work : School : Grocery : Swimming Pool
Walk : 40 min : 15 min : 25 min : 15 min
Bike : 15-20 : 5-10 : 15 min : 5 min
Scooter: 10-15 : 5 min : 10 min : 3 min
Car : 5-10 : 5-10 : 5-10 : 5 min
My problem is, I really need to make changes in life, like go to the swimming pool more often even in winter; get a better job which will be farther away. I think I’m putting these off because I don’t want to drive.
All of these will be easier if I just embrace driving my car more. I can take groceries more easily. I can carry more swim equipment and I won’t get so cold coming home from the pool. But I don’t like driving because I feel like I’m a greater danger to myself and others, even though I’m a pretty careful driver.
Do any of you face similar challenges; do you just drive when it makes the most sense to drive?
I am glad to hear your perspective. When I was younger I did everything without owning a car. I would take 3 hour bus/train trips that would be 40 minutes driving (infrequently). I carpooled, borrowed my parents’ car. I used Zipcar when I really needed one. Finally I ended up getting a car for a job out in the countryside where I didn’t want to depend on my co-workers again for going into town.
Part of me keeps wanting to structure my life around the car-free lifestyle, or at least car-lite. But I guess I’m balancing how much and how far I will go.
I can understand. I could have stayed in a small town and just accepted it, and try to just use it as sparingly as possible, but stubborn me decided that I wouldn’t cave to this.
That’s why choice was in quotes. As much as I could drive, it scares me and makes me anxious. And the easiest way to avoid that was to move.
Obviously I can only encourage you to continue finding ways to avoid drive a big metal box around!