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MINTO
NewBee
reply 5
 

What would it take for you to live car-free (or car-light)?

We all know it would be healthier for people and the environment if we drove less. You might resolve to leave you car at home more often, but at the end of the day, (or on a hectic morning) convenience is king. We want to know what it would take for you to live car-free or car-light.
12
Canada / General Chit-Chat
 
 
 
TRONTSIES ONTARIO
Buzzer
reply 103 vote 1
 
 
1. Excellent Public Transit system - I'm talking top notch here.
2. Ample space on the roads for bikes
3. Government incentives for not having a car - cashola in my pocket.
That'd be a good start.
 
 
DEAN COWAN
NewBee
reply 9
 
 
If the places I frequent are close enough, I'd be much happier walking than taking the TTC. I don't think I'd ever want to own a car living in the city though - its just expensive enough to keep me disinterested.
I know a big plus for cars is being able to lug more groceries/trip though, so if you were close enough to an abundant supply of food, you wouldn't need to load up a vehicle every week to keep your fridge stocked.
 
 
UZAIR FAISAL
BuzzStaff
reply 2 vote 8
 
 
Accessible subway (not streetcars) transit from the Scarborough region and better networking for carpoolers.
 
 
KIYOKO FUJIMURA
BuzzStaff
reply 81 vote 3
 
 
I already do live car free and it's awesome. Keeps all your expenses down. And, hey, for out-of-city travels-- the bus isn't so bad.
 
 
MATTHEW SLUTSKY
BuzzStaff
reply 1969 vote 68
 
 
It would be really hard for me to go car free, as I require my car from work and often drive across the GTA numerous times in a week.
As such, I am not sure! It would be nice if ZipCar or AutoShare was more affordable in comparison to owning a car for day-time use.
I plan on biking to work on days that I do not have meetings, which will be great.
 
 
RYAN MCGOVERN
BuzzStaff
reply 282 vote 30
 
 
More bike lanes/routes, and more frequent (and on time!) transit. The only time I drive is when I am back in the 'burbs, mostly because it is 10 times harder to get from point A to point B out there (lack of reliable transit, poor planning in regards to density and amenities).
 
 
CLIFF PESKIN
BabbleBee
reply 285 vote 13
 
 
I'd live car-free if I had a hover board
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2400216,00.asp
 
 
SEAN
BuzzStaff
reply 22 vote 7
 
 
I'm living in the city car free right now and don't mind taking the train and/or bus out to the 'burbs whenever I need to. I plan on living downtown in whatever city I happen to be in for my entire life (we'll see how that goes) so I'm pretty sure that I can live car-free/car-light the whole time.
 
 
WILLIAM RUZVIDZO
NewBee
reply 1
 
 
I already live car free and luckily I live in a neighbourhood where everything I need is pretty much walking distance to me like shops, restaurants, gym, work etc. I'm a very impatient and tardy fellow so I hate commuting for long stretches of time or waiting outside in the cold for transit. Whenever I move I always make it a point to live in an area where a lot of stuff is in a short walking or biking distance or easily and quickly accessible by TTC.
 
 
KEVIN KILLACKEY
Buzzer
reply 58 vote 4
 
 
As a real estate agent it is essentially impossible to live car free as clients need things in all corners of the city at all hours of the day. Standing at a streetcar stop for an unpredictible 5 to 30 minutes is not conducive to good service or a good use of time for that matter. Relying on anything but a car is not an option in my case. When was a teacher I took subway and bus everywhere.
 
 
ALLEN
Buzzer
reply 129 vote 34
 
 
I love to drive and my car is paid off, so eventhough I only use my car on the weekends for errands and visiting friends and family I will not give up my car -- I know it is an expensive toy to have.
I find that car owners are more and more the shrinking minority, which is great for the environment and relieving urban congestion.

I like to see the number of parking spaces be reduced in condo developments, but not totally eliminated, as owners of large and/or expensive units will most likely own a car and people spending over a particular price point expect to have parking. Having on-site car share vehicles would be a great amenity, and also providing plug-in terminals for each parking space for electric vehicles as they are becoming more popular.

Having resident and visitor bicycle parking spaces that are easily accessible is also a great amenity to encourage people to ride their bikes more. I have seen bike parking located in obscure areas in a condo or even not even on the ground floor, which makes it inconvenient or a hassle to park or retrieve your bike -- people would rather lug their bikes to their own unit, which is often against condo rules.
Having a security camera in bicycle parking areas would make people feel more at ease parking there, as theft and vandalism are more frequent with bikes than with cars.
One great feature I have seen on a couple condos is having a maintenance area in the bicycle room for an air pump, basic tools for minor repairs and a water hose to wash off your bike.
 
 
DANIELLE DEMERINO
NewBee
reply 5 vote 1
 
 
A Driver with a Drivers Hat and a Martini waiting in the back seat.., I just love to drive
 
 
 
 
 

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