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People like the idea of living without a car. Why don’t they?
This week’s episode has it’s foundation in an interview Cleve Ricksecker, the executive director of the two Downtown Special Improvement Districts (SID). We discuss SIDs, commuter culture in Columbus, and have a frank discussion about the race and class lines here.
Cleve’s passion for a transit-based lifestyle inspired us to also sit-down with two carless Columbusites: Jacob Taylor and Zach Henkel.
Resources:
that was an excellent podcast! my first time listening to the show. great job!
Cleve was especially informative – really insightful talk
Zach seems to have a creative mind when considering the geography and use of space – cool stuff. I like the curiosity haha
fyi I’ve been car-less for the past 1.5 years here. I use a mix of (in this order):
1. bike
2. car2go
3. bus
4. friends’ vehicles
5. uber
Zach’s right – it’s actually quite liberating to not be tied down to your car. I seriously appreciate the city being car-less so much more than the 2.5 years here when I did have a car. You get to know the city on a different level – you really get to enjoy it. It was a bit of an adjustment in getting used to the car-less lifestyle (basically, you just have to plan out your trips in advance), but after a month or two – it became very very easy and convenient.
[ Actually just last week a friend offered me her car for a cheap price (she’s moving away) – and I told her to just sell it. ]
And touching on Zach’s comments regarding borrowing friends’ vehicles – I hear that from people too ( i.e. “don’t you feel like you’re mooching?” ). When I tell people I’m car-less and get rides – people always ask about that, a bit condescendingly, I might add (such as my parents – saying they don’t want me “depending” on others).
[ I feel that there’s an anxiety (very American – especially midwestern middle class), that you shouldn’t mooch or impose. I grew up in the suburbs outside of Dayton – where NOBODY is car-less once they reach 16 years old. ]
But I just respond by saying that depending on others for things is part of positive relationships – plus I always make sure to do something in return for the friend. I pay them back with other favors (buying them dinner / helping them do home improvements / giving them a gift / sometimes just $ like buying their gas) – in return. Not one of my friends has complained about it – they’re quite supportive of me not owning a car, actually.
Anyways – great podcast! I’ll be sure to check out more of your stuff, Tim 🙂
Thanks for listening and your thoughtful response. Keep the feedback coming!
Sadly living without a car in Columbus can only work if you live & work downtown, Short North, or campus. Most people don’t work or live in these areas and while Uber, Car2Go, and COTA ARE options they’re EXPENSIVE & LIMITED options to lower income individuals. So unfortunately a car is still needed in Columbus if you’re not of a certain income.