Good article - especially the fact that the notion of NOT HAVING a car was not only mentioned, but first on the list - even if it was a "long shot." Wow. The times they *are* a-changin'.

My mortgage is under $700 and I toss an extra "premium payment" in most months. I've been lucky enough to be able to buy my vehicles outright (that first truck needed a short term loan from little sister at savings account interest rates). No cable, no land line, no internet at the house Every time I get the blurb from Insight saying "Only $70/month for internet and phone!" I think "Wow!! I'm saving $70 each month!!"

My cab driving brother is going to need a car soon and mine fits the bill. I had already gotten to the point where "If lightning strikes it, I'll take the insurance and take my time replacing it." I didn't start out this aversive to driving - but I've gradually expanded my "acceptable conditions."

Big however - I am out here in a college town in the central midwest! I was reminded how easy the learning curve has been tonight because both of my left-hand turns had the people behind me anticipating that I'd be turning left and giving me lots of room to get across (the first time the guy just wouldn't pass me and I figured out the driver must have recognized my bicycle). Then you realize the truth behind all that stuff the vehicular cyclists say about acting like a vehicle and being treated like one.... knowing that's a whole lot more likely to happen here, where there really is enough room and time to get to work on time.

But I get inspired by thinking of the profound and horrible impacts that our dependence on vehicles cause.