A One-Car Family

Walking home from the bus stop on a 40º day with 50 mile an hour winds a few weeks ago was not fun. However, most days being part of a one-car family is not a big inconvenience. Plus, we are doing our part to limit our household’s carbon emissions.

We did make the decision to get rid of one of our cars consciously both as a way to save money and to help the environment. A typical car contributes about 13,500 pounds of carbon dioxide each year according to the U.S. EPA’s personal greenhouse gas calculator.

The logistics of sharing one car with two drivers and a family of four aren’t easy. My husband and I have to work closely to coordinate who drives the car each day and how we get our kids to daycare and school, using a color-coded calendar. We also have to deal with last minute schedule changes like a trip to the doctor.

It’s actually not too hard to get around Arlington without a car. I ride my bike to my office and meetings regularly. I joined Flexcar for when I need to drive somewhere. I learned the bus route to my office.

I also telecommute regularly — avoiding the trip to the office altogether.

I’ve found that getting around without a car does take longer, but it’s usually time well spent. By biking, I get some exercise and get outside. I like the time on the bus — to read or plan my day. And in really bad weather, I get a ride with my husband, which means we get to spend more “quality” time together.

Elenor Hodges, Executive Director, Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment, organizers of the 2007 Green Living Challenge in partnership with Arlington County

Comments

[Laura Lucs]

Elenor, I agree! It is so easy to get around the county and across the river and even out to the outer suburbs of Northern Virginia using your feet, your wheels (I'm referring to a bike) or the local bus and public transportation system. I am in the processing of signing over the title to my one and only car. I joined FlexCar, bought a packet of ART tokens after I recently discovered that I really can get to the Rt 50/ Seven Corners shopping center on the bus from my area, and affixed a neato basket to my bicycle so I can haul around small stuff.

[Jennifer K. Smith]

Oh man, we are SO struggling with this exact issue. We've had only one car for some time now -- which has been good. But the child carseat shuffle -- and erratic schedule of my husband's job -- may push us to getting a second car. We'll see...maybe this posting, Elenor, will help me rethink our situation!

[Cynthia]

Good for you Elenor! Considering you have children, I'm sure the logistics can be challenging, but it's great that you are sticking to your guns.
My husband and I got rid of car #2 about 2 years ago and have not had any regrets either. I have been a dedicated daily bike commuter for the past 6 years, going to my place of work in DC. As you said, it's a great way to exercise and, for me, it's even a form of meditation. On those days when the winter days are too much to bear on the bike, I walk to the metro.
As for our 1 and only car, last year we traded it in for a hybrid, which my husband drives to work.
Since we do not have kids, my husband and I just tend to combine our errands on the weekends, which is a fun way to catch up on things that happened during the week.
We never thought we'd survive, but now we couldn't imagine life any other way.