Posted: Sat Apr 21, 2012 6:25 am
THE PLAN:
A.) I currently have two cars. One running, one not. The one not running, is destined for the scrap yard (after I cut the catalytic converter off to scrap separately). I paid $350 when I bought it, will get approximately the same if not a tad more when scrapped.
B.) The running vehicle will go to a relative in trade (some cash, garden produce swap, etc--this car I purchased for $100, FYI).
C.) Henceforth, I shall be car free. This will allow me to not spend $3000 in fuel and insurance ($2400 & $630 respectively) annually. My car-free deadline is August 2012--my car insurance and tags both expire at the same time (on the running car).
D.) Future transport needs to be met by walking, bike, bus, train, cab, car rental.
E.) Generic travel/commute distances for needs:
1.) Daily round trip for work commute--> 32 miles, 1.5 to 2 hours each way.
2.) Distance to visit family--> 32-40 miles each way (64-80 miles round trip), depending upon routing/traffic. 3 hours pedaling each way. No bus or train goes all the way to them. If take bus, only covers 1.25 hours travel of total distance.
3.) Groceries--> ~3 miles tops. Walk, bike, bus. Not even a worry here.
4.) Library--> Same as groceries.
F.) Monthly, unlimited bus pass is $50. This monthly amount to be deposited into a dedicated savings account for exclusive transportation usage. The more I bike, the bigger this fund gets.
THE DILEMMAS:
A.) Dog. Easy to travel w/ me when in the car. She's the navigator! Bike only? Get a bike carrier/trailer? This is for instances when I go to visit family for a weekend. Having a family member pick me up in their car is not an option (1.--for independence, 2.--of course they would in an emergency)
B.) Bike vs. Scooter vs. Bike only vs. Scooter only. So, I've discussed ER/ERE/FI with some of my friends and family and my plans towards these ends. Out of about 15 people, 1 person "got/gets it", could/can "see" it through my eyes. He pitches a scooter idea to me. I can get a Chinese scooter delivered to my door for $847 vs. the almost $800 folding mountain bike.
1.) Scooter:
a.) Low upfront cost
b.) Quicker than a bike
c.) 50cc engine--no titling/license overhead
d.) Ongoing expenditure:
i.) gas
ii.) engine oil
iii.) transmission fluid
iv.) tire & brake wear(ongoing maintenance)
e.) Included the $847 delivered price is $200 is shipping.
2.) Bike:
a.) About $50 less than scooter
b.) Free shipping.
c.) No gas
d.) No oil
e.) No transmission fluid
f.) Still have tire and brake wear (ongoing maintenance)
g.) Improved personal health due to physical exertion of pedaling
h.) Bike I want is full-size folding bike. The folding aspect gives me more transportation options where I can take my bike w/ me.
i.) Can fold bike to take on bus, train, throw in trunk of a cab, rental car or vehicle of a friend if I get a ride. Can even package to check as airplane luggage but this costs at least $50 each way (depending upon airline).
3.) Bike (w/ promo code, no extras): http://www.commuterbikestore.com/montag ... -bike.html
4.) Scooter: http://www.scooterdepot.us/50cc-sunny-g ... p-625.html
5.) Good God, the flak I've gotten when trying to explain all this to people!! If only you could see the looks on their faces when I detail all this out. Almost all of them can't get past the no car aspect. Unreal. Their eyes just gloss over, blank stares.
HELP/INPUT:
--Bike only the way to go?
--Any merit to the scooter?
--Long term (seasonality & 7-10 year+ duration for this approach) considerations I may be missing/overlooking? Inclement weather being the biggest--specifically ice and snow in winter. Bike/bus combo has the advantage here--scooters not allowed on the bus.
--Anything else to add?
Apologies for the loooooong post. Been mullin' this over for a while...
A.) I currently have two cars. One running, one not. The one not running, is destined for the scrap yard (after I cut the catalytic converter off to scrap separately). I paid $350 when I bought it, will get approximately the same if not a tad more when scrapped.
B.) The running vehicle will go to a relative in trade (some cash, garden produce swap, etc--this car I purchased for $100, FYI).
C.) Henceforth, I shall be car free. This will allow me to not spend $3000 in fuel and insurance ($2400 & $630 respectively) annually. My car-free deadline is August 2012--my car insurance and tags both expire at the same time (on the running car).
D.) Future transport needs to be met by walking, bike, bus, train, cab, car rental.
E.) Generic travel/commute distances for needs:
1.) Daily round trip for work commute--> 32 miles, 1.5 to 2 hours each way.
2.) Distance to visit family--> 32-40 miles each way (64-80 miles round trip), depending upon routing/traffic. 3 hours pedaling each way. No bus or train goes all the way to them. If take bus, only covers 1.25 hours travel of total distance.
3.) Groceries--> ~3 miles tops. Walk, bike, bus. Not even a worry here.
4.) Library--> Same as groceries.
F.) Monthly, unlimited bus pass is $50. This monthly amount to be deposited into a dedicated savings account for exclusive transportation usage. The more I bike, the bigger this fund gets.
THE DILEMMAS:
A.) Dog. Easy to travel w/ me when in the car. She's the navigator! Bike only? Get a bike carrier/trailer? This is for instances when I go to visit family for a weekend. Having a family member pick me up in their car is not an option (1.--for independence, 2.--of course they would in an emergency)
B.) Bike vs. Scooter vs. Bike only vs. Scooter only. So, I've discussed ER/ERE/FI with some of my friends and family and my plans towards these ends. Out of about 15 people, 1 person "got/gets it", could/can "see" it through my eyes. He pitches a scooter idea to me. I can get a Chinese scooter delivered to my door for $847 vs. the almost $800 folding mountain bike.
1.) Scooter:
a.) Low upfront cost
b.) Quicker than a bike
c.) 50cc engine--no titling/license overhead
d.) Ongoing expenditure:
i.) gas
ii.) engine oil
iii.) transmission fluid
iv.) tire & brake wear(ongoing maintenance)
e.) Included the $847 delivered price is $200 is shipping.
2.) Bike:
a.) About $50 less than scooter
b.) Free shipping.
c.) No gas
d.) No oil
e.) No transmission fluid
f.) Still have tire and brake wear (ongoing maintenance)
g.) Improved personal health due to physical exertion of pedaling
h.) Bike I want is full-size folding bike. The folding aspect gives me more transportation options where I can take my bike w/ me.
i.) Can fold bike to take on bus, train, throw in trunk of a cab, rental car or vehicle of a friend if I get a ride. Can even package to check as airplane luggage but this costs at least $50 each way (depending upon airline).
3.) Bike (w/ promo code, no extras): http://www.commuterbikestore.com/montag ... -bike.html
4.) Scooter: http://www.scooterdepot.us/50cc-sunny-g ... p-625.html
5.) Good God, the flak I've gotten when trying to explain all this to people!! If only you could see the looks on their faces when I detail all this out. Almost all of them can't get past the no car aspect. Unreal. Their eyes just gloss over, blank stares.
HELP/INPUT:
--Bike only the way to go?
--Any merit to the scooter?
--Long term (seasonality & 7-10 year+ duration for this approach) considerations I may be missing/overlooking? Inclement weather being the biggest--specifically ice and snow in winter. Bike/bus combo has the advantage here--scooters not allowed on the bus.
--Anything else to add?
Apologies for the loooooong post. Been mullin' this over for a while...