I admit it - I used to be extremely car dependent. I would drive 2 miles (alone) each day to work. The grocery store 5 blocks from my apartment? I'd drive there most of the time as well. Ride the bus? Not unless it pulled into my parking lot to pick me up. Growing up in Iowa, I guess you simply get used to doing things a certain way, and old habits seem to die hard.
Things changed about a year ago when I accepted a new job with Arlington Transporatation Partners here in Arlington, VA. With this job came a move halfway across the country to a very large and unfamiliar urban area. I quickly realized that if my new job was to promote public tranpsportation in the area, I should probably make attempts to practice what I preach.
Not really me
I became excited about the idea of using Metro to get around. Then I started reading about bike lanes, Capital Bikeshare's impending launch and Zipcar. Before long, I came to the realization that this move was an opportunity to make a definitive change in the way I approached mobility. So, I decided to go 'whole hog' (Iowa joke!) and leave my car in Iowa City (Full disclosure: my decision was partially influenced by the fact that my 2000 Honda CR-V was in need major engine work, and would not have survived the trip out to DC).
Forced to adapt immediately to life without a car, I quickly became familiar with the local options. My first 3 weeks in the area I commuted from near Baltimore while searching for an apartment. Still, approaching transit like a 5-year-old riding trains for the first time made my 90 minute MARC-Red line-Orange/Blue line daily commute a relatively painless one.
My first train ride!
Finally settling into the area, I began regularly using Metro for my daily commute. I immediately enjoyed the fact that instead of sitting behind the wheel, I could relax and read or do a crosssword puzzle on my way to work. I quickly purchased a Zipcar membership for running occasional errands - including multiple trips to IKEA during my first few months in town. I learned to use my bike to get groceries - picking up a few things at a time instead of epic, monthly trips to the store. I've worked my way through the local bus systems, frequenting the Rosslyn-Dupont Circulator route after work, and taking the 52/53/54 Metrobus to visit my (also car-free) girlfriend.
But, perhaps my favorite part of living without a car so far has been the walkability of DC, Arlington and the Old Town, Alexandria. I've fully embraced it, rarely shying away from walking several blocks to reach a destination. In one year, I can count on two hands the number of times I've been in a taxi.
Using public transportation, walking and biking have given me great opportunities to explore my new home - each day finding something new to enjoy. It has also helped me lose about 20 pounds since moving out here. I've grown accustomed to telling people that 'urban living seems to agree with me.'
Now, I don't mean to make this sound completely one-sided. there have ben times when I've really wished I've had a car out here. But, thankfully those have been few and far between. I've gotten completely soaked with rain, missed out on a couple social situations due to lack of transportation and sometimes wish I could get to a Target in less than 45 minutes without taking a Zipcar. But really, those are my only complaints. The good far outweighs the bad.
I'm at the point now where the novelty of using the Metro or riding the bus has worn off. Now, its just how I live. I'm car free, and can't really picture myself going back. I'm living proof - if a car-dependent Iowan can give up his car, almost anyone can.
Brett Jones is a Business Development Manager with Arlington Transportation Partners.
