A Week Without A Car

A reporter goes a week without a car in the San Francisco Bay Area in this article about the pros and cons of non-car transport. Though the monetary costs were lower, the cost of time was much higher, especially for an inexperienced transit user.

1 minute read

December 24, 2006, 9:00 AM PST

By Nate Berg


My experiment in alternative transportation was easy compared with many in the East Bay. I have no children who need to be shuttled around, and I commute between cities with reliable access to public transportation. I also own a trustworthy bike and am reasonably fit. All in all, I made quite the poster boy for going a 'Week Without a Car.'"

"A week spent driving directly to and from the office chews up just over five hours and about $88 for the 34-mile roundtrip, using the AAA formula of 52.2 cents per mile to operate and maintain a vehicle. (Yes, it also costs money for bike upkeep.)"

"During my carless week, which included a weekend day and a trip to Concord, I spent just $27.60 for transportation."

Thursday, December 21, 2006 in The Contra Costa Times

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