"The advent of this eco-friendly car sharing CityWheels program in my hometown is great news! It reminds me of a similar program here in DC - the Zipcar program - that attracts people who don't own an automobile by providing access to a car without the hassle associated with owning one. It's more convenient than skeptics might think, highly economical, environmentally conscious, and very practical.
"There's more than one way to ween Americans off oil, whether foreign or domestic. One automobile divided among 10 people certainly uses less gasoline than 10 automobiles among 10 drivers. Bravo Ryan McKenzie and the folks at Civic Innovation Lab for providing a way to reduce emissions, oil consumption and auto-dependence in Cleveland with a progressive program like CityWheels!
- from Cool Cleveland reader Ethan Bindernagel, Community Planner, Greenbelt, MD.
Reprinted from Cool Cleveland letters, August 3, 2005
Reprinted from Cool Cleveland letters, August 3, 2005
"...one really wonderful way to persuade people to try driving less (or getting rid of the damn things altogether) is to add up the personal costs. That's what finally did it for me. Car payment + fuel + mandatory insurance + tires + maintenance + registration + inspection + repairs + parking + tolls + etc. etc. etc. = one hell of a lot of money; often more than most people spend on their housing here in car-essential Texas.
"I've always driven paid for cars, but what that saves me in monthly outlay is offset by more frequent repairs and decreased reliability (ok for a handy and grown man, not so ok for my daughter or other more vulnerable types who should not be broken down on the side of the road at night.)
"Moving into the center of my old town where I can bike and walk for most work and errands has saved me huge amounts of money, which means I have to work less to earn the money, which means I have more free time to do the things I love and help the world be a better place, which means MORE FREEDOM! Imagine, less car equals more freedom. The enviro and health/safety benefits are just gravy. Lay out the personal costs for yourself, convert that into your work hours, and then spread the word about how much FREE TIME you could create for yourself by getting rid of your car. We all want more free time."
Reprinted from Alternet letters, December 29, 2005.
Learn more about the CityWheels community:
Community A few ways you can be a part of the CityWheels community.
Local Partners Cleveland organizations who help to make CityWheels even easier.
Roaming Partners These car-sharing companies around the world let you get the most out of your CityWheels membership when you're on the road.
How to Use See how CityWheels fits into your everyday transportation.
Community A few ways you can be a part of the CityWheels community.
Local Partners Cleveland organizations who help to make CityWheels even easier.
Roaming Partners These car-sharing companies around the world let you get the most out of your CityWheels membership when you're on the road.
How to Use See how CityWheels fits into your everyday transportation.
