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 enlarge | Author: Chris Balish
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
Category: Book
List Price: $12.95
Buy New: $7.50
You Save: $5.45 (42%)
New (43) from $7.50
Avg. Customer Rating:  39 reviews
Sales Rank: 224322
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
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| Customer Reviews:
 trade in your car for a new set of problems January 14, 2008
2 out of 23 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
2 out of 2 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 7, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
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
2 out of 2 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
I've gone car-free! December 19, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I read this book a couple months ago and was very energized by the many ways the author sets out on how you can be car-free. I didn't use my car THAT much, mainly on the weekends. I ride my bicycle just about everywhere, and knew that it wouldn't be too difficult to be car-free - it was just a matter of HOW to get rid of my car (whether to donate or sell it), and then figuring out the little logistics of how to remain car-free, and get around to the various places I needed to get to. The author looks at the issue from ALL perspectives and is very convincing. I think the biggest leap is for people to actually becoming car-free - it's a scary thing to do. It's a SHOCKING thing for people to hear that you have done this. It is so UN-AMERICAN, they think - so against all the car commercials you see on TV. But now that I have donated my car, I tell everyone I'm gonna be able to retire early, with all the money I'll save from being car-free! :) In donating my car to the Washington Area Bicycle Association, to be sold at an auction, I was, in turn, given a free LIFETIME membership with Zipcar (a car sharing program) - PLUS given $500 in my Zipcar account to use (within a year). Zipcar pays for your gas and insurance. It's wonderful to know I won't have to ever pay for those things again! :) Anyway, the point is, it's a great relief to be car-free. A very freeing experience - try it, you'll like it!!! Read this book to get inspired! :)
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