How to Live Well Without Owning a Car: Save Money, Breathe Easier, and Get More Mileage Out of Life | 
 enlarge | Author: Chris Balish
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
Category: Book
List Price: $12.95
Buy New: $4.97
You Save: $7.98 (62%)
New (42) from $4.97
Avg. Customer Rating:  35 reviews
Sales Rank: 19372
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 216
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 7.9 x 5 x 0.7
ISBN: 1580087574
Dewey Decimal Number: 332.024
EAN: 9781580087575
ASIN: 1580087574
Publication Date: August 5, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand New - Direct From Distributor - Gift Giving Condition - Remainder Mark
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Book Description
Between rising gas prices, endless car payments, and countless hours spent in gridlocked traffic, do you ever get the feeling that you don't own your car, but rather your car owns you? Car-free convert Chris Balish shows why kicking car dependency could be the soundest and sanest lifestyle change you can make, and provides realistic strategies for making the leap. From saving money to building a better world, even diehard autoholics will find hundreds of reasons to set out on the (car-free) road less traveled.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 30 more reviews...
 Fantastic! April 9, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I've been Car-Free my entire life. I've never gotten a Driver's License. I've never needed it; I've gotten around by either my own two feet, a bike, or on public transit.
I recently read How To Live Well Without Owning A Car by Chris Balish, and it really made me feel good about my lifestyle choice.
Thanks to the book, I've fallen in love with Cycling again; it gave me that extra push to get in shape. I picked up a barely used (read: ridden twice) bike from a neighbor, a pretty sweet Iron Horse Sage Deluxe. After a tune-up, and picking up a helmet, gloves, and a bike pump, I'm ready to ride. Also, I will start training with the intent to ride in the 2009 RAGBRAI. It's a grueling ride; 472 miles over 7 days, but I think if I start training now, I'm confident that I can do it.
 trade in your car for a new set of problems January 14, 2008
0 out of 11 found this review helpful
it appears that in order to live without a car you are required to own a computer. I'm not sure that is such a great trade-off economically, environmentally, or for your mental health.
 A new way of looking at things January 14, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This book gave me a new outlook on transportation. It's amazing how dependent most people have become on cars, and the idea of not owning one is almost unthinkable, but this book gives excellent reasons to kick the car habit, or at least go "car-lite", as well as some great tips on how to do so without limiting your lifestyle. Whether your reasons are environmental (as mine were), economical (you can save a LOT of money), or just because you're tired of driving in heavy traffic, and dealing with car maintenance and the other problems that come with owning a car, this book is a great help for finding alternative means of transportation. Give it a try - I bike 7 miles to school most of the time now, and the trip is much more fun, I'm in the best shape of my life, and I'm saving money at the same time.
Read this book and live this lifestyle January 8, 2008
I went car free about a year ago after reading this book, and it was a good move for me. As the book explains, it's great for your wallet, your stress levels, and for Mother Earth. The book is fun to read, easy to implement and has answers for many of the concerns that come up along the way. You can live without a car. Buy this book first and then go for it!
Yes you are still a human being if you don't own a car in The U.S. January 6, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
You can go on dates, meet people, get to and from work, be a productive member of your community, buy things from all the stores that you want to buy from. You can get around without a car and Chris does a good job giving you advice from real live experiences of how you can do it. Takes a look at all the different alternatives to driving, bikes, walking, buses, rental cars, car sharing, taxis, public transit.
What I think is also interesting is that the books starts with a story about how he was broke from driving and he literally had to sell his car. He had no choice in the matter from a financial standpoint. So the book is written by someone who had to let go of his car-not someone who wants to make you feel guilty for polluting the world, eat red meat or whatever.
Other books related to this topic that you should consider: Carfree CitiesCarfree Cities;and Asphalt NationAsphalt Nation: How the Automobile Took Over America and How We Can Take It Back. Also check out Urban Biker's Tricks & TipsUrban Bikers' Tricks & Tips: Low-Tech & No-Tech Ways to Find, Ride, & Keep a Bicycle and Tricks & Cutting Your Car UseCutting Your Car Use: Save Money, Be Healthy, Be Green!
I'm a bike rider who also uses planet bike lights and the Down Low Glow Lighting system so that I can safely ride at night. Down Low Glow Lighting Kit - Two Tubes -Royal Purple
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