September 2008:

Sometimes, it almost seems like a contradiction. We talk about not needing a car—but find that it seems to be the only way of getting to all the places we need to go. This is especially true if you live in a suburb, rural area, or someplace else that is not in a city. And then, your car breaks down. What do you do?

That’s the situation I found myself in 1979, when my car died.

I lived in Columbia, MD: a “new city” located between Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Unlike many suburbs, Columbia had a local bus service that operated during daytime hours, every day except Sunday. However, service to Baltimore and Washington was only available during commuting hours. And the local taxi company closed at 10 p.m.

My first step was to redefine my community. Instead of rushing all over the Baltimore/Washington area, I concentrated on knowing and appreciating my hometown of Columbia: especially places within walking distance. Fortunately, I could walk to two shopping centers: each with its own supermarket and local stores. A swimming pool, gym, house(s) of worship, and a community college were within walking distance. Even the Columbia Mall—the largest regional shopping center here—was only a 35-minute walk from my apartment.

When I went to a local dinner theatre, I took the bus there, and

walked home. (Of course, I didn’t go when rain was expected.)

Sometimes, I found a friend with a car going to the same event.

When you walk places, the pace of life is slower and less crazy. I stopped to talk to people, felt more in tune with nature, and took time to decide what activities I wanted to do. Life became more deliberate. Each day became an experience worth savoring. A bus ride to an out-of-town store, or a trip to a museum in Washington became a special experience worth savoring because it was no longer just one of the many activities I drove to without thinking.

I found a carpool to take me to work. And, when I needed or wanted a car to use for a day or two, I rented a car with unlimited mileage for the weekend. And, you know what happened? When I got into the rented car, I felt free and exuberant as I listened to an AM station with big band music, and drove away. I could go wherever I wanted.

And, yet, by the end of the weekend, I was ready to turn the car back in and go back to my simpler life where I didn’t need a car for everyday living.

It was almost a let-down when (in 1984) my parents gave me their car, after they purchased a new one.

I had another experience with car-free living in Columbia, when my car died on I-95 on my birthday. For nearly four months, my wife, stepdaughter and I walked or took the bus. And, life was often more fun—as long as we accepted the limitation of car-free living. We had to plan our trips, based on the bus schedules, rather than just going wherever we chose on a moment’s notice

Now, Columbia has a seven-day a week public bus system, mid-day and Saturday commuter service to Washington, D.C., and 24-hour taxicab service. Today, it is possible to live without a car in Columbia and still enjoy a rich, satisfying life. Unfortunately, housing is expensive there; but apartments and townhouses offer a less costly option.

The key to living without a car in Columbia is to live within walking distance of one of the six older village centers (most have a supermarket, a community center, stores, and at least one recreational facility): Wilde Lake, Harpers Choice, Owen Brown, Oakland Mills, Long Reach, or King’s Contrivance. (King’s Contrivance is not as convenient as the other centers for car-free living.) Nearly all Howard Transit buses serve the Columbia Mall seven days a week. Columbia has a great system of walking and bicycle trails that provide an alternative to walking along busy roads. Several car-rental companies have offices in Columbia, and taxi service is available 24 hours every day. (On www.google.com, search under Columbia MD car rentals, or Columbia MD taxicabs)

Top neighborhood choices for car-free living in Columbia include: Bryant Woods, Swansfield, Dasher Green, Talbot Springs, Stevens Forest, and Town Center..

For information about public transportation in Columbia, visit www.howardtransit.com, or call toll-free: (800) 270-9553, or (301) 725-4466. For information about commuter bus service to Washington, D.C. or Baltimore from Columbia, visit www.mtamaryland.com, or call (410) 539-5000 or toll-free: (866) RIDEMTA, from 6:00 a.m. –7:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, Eastern Time.

In a future column, I will share some strategies for car-free living that work for people in a variety of non-city locations. I’d love to hear what works for you, plus any suggestions you have for others, and include your comments in that column. If you live car-free or with minimal car-dependence in a non-city location, and want to be included, please e-mail me at steve@carfreeamerica.org

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(Resource Box: See Steve’s Report about living Car-Free in Columbia, MD.

For comments or suggestions for future columns, e-mail me at steve@carfreeamerica.org )