Car(e)-Free Update May 2011

I recognize two fun milestones today... This morning, as I scooted to church, I passed the 9,000 mile mark on my scooter (pictured at the right, and yes, have no fear, I always wear a HELMET when I ride).

Secondly, I bought the Buddy 125 in May 2007, so this month marks 4 years of "living the dream." I've noted here previously that I sold my car last October and have been living "car(e)-free" ever since.

Since I haven't made any updates since February, I'm pleased to report that I "weathered" this past winter without a car rather easily. Yes, there were a couple of drenchings on my bike (this was a rather wet winter for So Cal), and I even had to rent a car two different times when I flat-out just needed a car for work stuff.

But 99% of the time it works well for me to either drive my scooter, take the bus, ride my bike, walk, hitch a ride with friends, take the train... or even just stay home!

I will also readily admit that I decided (and thankfully, she agreed!) to get added to my roommate's auto insurance so I can borrow her car ~ which she will confirm I do only about once every 2-3 weeks. I decided to do this for two reasons:

• To legally be able to drive her car if needed to.
• To have auto insurance for when I rent a car. Do you know you cannot have car insurance without it being attached to a specific car?

So I cannot claim to be fully car-free, I suppose. But pretty darn close. And as gas prices have coasted upward, I am sad to report that filling the Buddy's tank has increased 25%... from $4 to $5!

I will stop my gloating. I am grateful to live in a town and climate where it's possible to do this. I hope to have many more years with the Buddy, and encourage you to consider ways that you can be a good steward of the environment (plus your wallet and your health) by finding greener transportation alternatives. Over and out. (For now!)