<em>By ANNA HOFSTETTER, guest columnist</em>
My decaying car descended into its timely tomb in February.
I need to be able to safely get my family from A to B. I had some choices to make.
My first impulse was to purchase a new car. I’ve always had used cars and I dreamed of driving a Tesla. But my rational side persuaded my impulsive side to browse slightly used, quality cars that I could purchase on a loan.
I had my sights set on a 2017 Toyota Corolla for $12,000. After undergoing a credit check, etc., it was determined to cost me around $200 per month for seven years (which, by the way, is not the same as $12,000!). Furthermore, my insurance would nearly double, because you must have full coverage insurance if you have a car loan, as opposed to the simple liability insurance I was accustomed to with my “beater.” In order to call that 2017 Corolla mine, it was going to cost me around $300 per month for seven years (total of $25,200) — and did I really expect to have it for more than a decade?
This caused me to favor the method in which I have always purchased vehicles: to buy a “beater” outright. As a caveat, I’d like to acknowledge that not everyone has the financial freedom to consider this option, which is an unfortunate catch-22 on the working poor.
But, I digress.
Throughout this pragmatic evaluation I was walking and biking to get from A to B. My two kids began routinely riding the bus because I couldn’t drive them to school. We naturally became much more punctual because missing the bus was simply not an option. We arrived at the bus stop at least 10 minutes early. Subsequently, our dog has become a big fan of the morning and afternoon walks to the bus stop.
I usually ride my bike to and from work in Nashville; I sometimes walk. There have been some cold mornings, but I dress appropriately. If it was raining or heavily snowing, I opted to walk instead of risking riding.
I swapped carrying a purse to wearing a backpack. When I need groceries, I simply swing by the IGA before heading home. When I want beer or wine, I simply swing by the Hoosier Buddy on my way home or walk down the alleyway to fill a growler at Big Woods.
After a few weeks, I didn’t even miss driving and stopped prioritizing my car search.
I feel like I’ve been reborn. The biggest challenge to my rebirth was psychologically wrapping my mind around the concept of not owning a car. We are, for some reason, conditioned to believe that cars are essential to human existence. I wonder why we have socially constructed a seemingly critical dependency on motor vehicles. We evolved by walking, running, riding (horses) to navigate our physical surroundings. In retrospect, effluent vehicles are relatively new.
Non-motorists tend to be stigmatized as “less than.” Just a few weeks ago, someone asked me if I had gotten in trouble, like a DUI. They wanted to know why I was riding my bike every day and why I didn’t have a car parked in my driveway. Since then, I have felt a little more self-conscious about riding. Assumptions such as these are innocent in nature but detrimental to the overall “car-free” movement.
It is possible to live “car-free:” cheaper, cleaner, healthier, better.
In response to some questions: We actually do have a wonderful service here in Brown County. Access Brown County is a shuttle service available to anyone to travel within Brown County for just $5, free for seniors (<a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a>). And kids are allowed too!
For generations, people have been aware of the environmental impacts of driving. Even the more “efficient” cars require an enormous eco-footprint to be constructed and operational. I don’t think I need to convince anyone that cars are bad for the planet. Reducing your carbon footprint is only one of the rewarding benefits of living “car-free.” Please join me!
Where there’s a will there’s a way! I WILL ride my bike to work. What is your “will?”
<em>Anna Hofstetter is a resident of Nashville. She has been an elected member of the Nashville Town Council since 2019. She also serves on the Nashville Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board.</em>
