A Week Without A Car

Posted by: Nate Berg

24 December 2006 - 9:00am

A reporter goes a week without a car in the San Francisco Bay Area in this article about the pros and cons of non-car transport. Though the monetary costs were lower, the cost of time was much higher, especially for an inexperienced transit user.

My experiment in alternative transportation was easy compared with many in the East Bay. I have no children who need to be shuttled around, and I commute between cities with reliable access to public transportation. I also own a trustworthy bike and am reasonably fit. All in all, I made quite the poster boy for going a 'Week Without a Car.'"

"A week spent driving directly to and from the office chews up just over five hours and about $88 for the 34-mile roundtrip, using the AAA formula of 52.2 cents per mile to operate and maintain a vehicle. (Yes, it also costs money for bike upkeep.)"

"During my carless week, which included a weekend day and a trip to Concord, I spent just $27.60 for transportation."

Full Story: A car-less commuting exercise

Source: The Contra Costa Times, December 21, 2006

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