Car dependency is expensive and stressful #automobile #bicycleinfrastructure

Car dependency is depressingly expensive and stressful. A new study by MarketWatch surveyed people about the impacts of car costs on their lives and the results struck me. Not only are many of us spending a huge proportion of our income on automobiles – often more than we can afford – these struggles have a huge impact on our well-being. The worst part? For many people, these are not optional costs because there are no other viable forms of transportation.

Shifter Big Stories, presented by Riese & Müller. This is the third video in a series exploring the most important stories in urban cycling and transportation. A big thanks to Riese & Müller for their sponsorship that enabled the creation of these videos.

#cycling #bikecommuting #urbanplanning

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#cycling #bike #commuting

[nomads]

Not owning a car let me save to buy a house 💪

[GervaisRioux]

I saw an economic article earlier this year, the title was : "Your retirement is in your driveway." Spot on!

[karlahovde]

I basically built my entire adult life since college around not needing a car, so I could afford to live a comfortable life in a nice urban neighborhood on a smallish income. The alternative would be a higher paying, high stress job, just so I could throw all that money down the drain of car ownership.

[grahambonner]

I recommend watching the full video.
There are many less obvious costs that people don't often consider - costs to the city, future generations, physical and mental health, productivity, environment, quality of life (especially in cities)

[stephenconnolly]

It's way more scary than even this video suggests. Over a 40 year period of car ownership it will cost a total of almost $1m.

[emilyboulter]

We moved to a new home near a transit hub and it allowed my husband and I to go down to one car. Normally in the winter I would drive to work (I bike the other 3 months) but now I can take one bus directly to work! This is already saving us a lot of money.

[SenanMurphy]

I've cycled to work since I started work. Sometimes I have had a car for long distance commutes, but the cost has always made me go back to cycling to work.

My wife has a car, but I prefer to get around by bike.

[derekjolly]

I'd have to say that part of what factors into car owning costs are people's compulsiveness regarding buying new cars too often. They will do this to keep up with the Jones's, or because they want more up to date tech on their car, or simply because they can't stand not to have recent models of cars. Whatever the reason, it's a lot of unnecessary cost factored in year to year. Many people simply lack the will power to be sensible about such things and keep using what they have.

[Menakitsuneart]

Can't get enough of these videos! 💖

[JesusIsTheWay]

I’m not paid well, when I got rid of my car I noticed I had a good amount of cash every month.

[PD_]

Im in NJ work remote, no car and found its cheap to use mass transit + Uber. NJ Transit does not go everywhere but you can get close via rail stops then use Uber for the "last mile". There's a community transport free for residents in my town for local errands, walking works too. Not sure that I want monthly auto ownership costs again for the few long trips I might take.

[jayr]

One day Society will wake up and smell the coffee IE the need to move away from car dependency and not be so carcentric! Also a cycle test should be part of a car driving test, that really would make drivers literally wake up and smell the coffee!!! I own a car but make as many journeys as possible by bike, commuting etc and the mental health benefits are clearly visible to me and how I feel compared to being stuck in our car! Keep up the good work

[Teapot-Dave]

People have become far too reliant on owning a car far too quickly, and most of them can't think of how they could possibly manage without it.
Only around 9% of the world's population actually owns a car - just saying....

[adrian_zombturtle]

Growing up my mom always scared me from walking outside alone, i never went outside to walk until i was around 22 even though i got my driver license at 19

[unsprawling]

When we made videos about this, folks commented "but I have a job that requires me to have a car!"

Cars are a self-justifying cost. We've spread everything so far out that everyday folks are wasting thousands of dollars per year.

Imagine where our entire economy could be if that money was being reinvested into the community.

[donnahampton]

Not owning a car has helped reduce stress, and my legs look great due to biking.

[SamTheEagle]

In the UK driving coats 5 lives a day before you get into injuries and the 40k premature deaths due to pollution. Oh, and poor health due to lack of exercise. I commute 3000 miles in our car and the same on a bicycle.

[velokernow]

I don't run a car. I don't need to work so much as those that do.

[PeterSdrolias]

It is sad when high school students will work tons of hours just to throw away thousands of dollars on a crappy used car.

[db-rguy]

Need better bike and public infrastructure before most can get rid of cars