Living Without a Car (Part: 5/7)

[robbiesyohn]

I am 41 never owned a car in my life. Never had a driver's license. Always rode bicycle and walked. Saved alot of money from that.

[landongendur]

@robbiesyohn - It's now 2010 and I've lived without a car for so long and well that I'm actually scared to drive one now! :P And that same red bike is the one I'm still riding!

[WisSTEEL86]

Nice Brow

[landongendur]

@WisSTEEL86 - it's pretty intense!

[mrsSongbird]

Life sucks don't it we live in a motor home lol we lost are car for a short time I walked three miles cause I didn't have enough money for a bike at least you got the money for a second bike dude be very thankful man.

[averagejustin]

sims music!!!!!! =D

[FlowingGeisha]

Buy a bike lock and use the damn racks. You're too quiet. By expensive bike got stolen and hell on this hill upon more hills it's not worth it.

[ExtraChapstick]

I like your quirkiness (^_^) I don't drive either. I take public transportation.

[landongendur]

Public transportation is always a good alternative. The city I live in has pretty bad public transport though. I guess it's not a priority when only 4-6% of the population uses it here :(

Is your public transport fairly efficient?

[ExtraChapstick]

The public transit here isn't very reliable...I have called the customer advocacy line about 100 times in the past year....not fun.

[landongendur]

That's not very fun. Do you mean the arrival times aren't accurate, or the system is often down?

[ExtraChapstick]

Both...unfortunately. I've called them and told them they should really consider updating the schedule...if a bus or lightrail train is consistently late...wouldn't it be logical to change the schedule to reflect the time it's consistently coming at? Of course, they don't listen...I'm just a random citizen. (^_^)

[landongendur]

Sorry to hear that. That is pretty sucky :(

[ExtraChapstick]

It's okay, I'm sort of used to it. It still sucks...but oh well. It'd be a lot more fun if I had someone else to ride with (^_^) Otherwise everyone just (usually) keeps to themselves...

[cdltpx]

Dr. Approved the use of an electric bike and did my first run 2.5 miles one way my trip was great.Will use safety glasses next time bugs love to fly to the light and bounce off my face. Handy having a bike to go to the car or concessions stand we won.My wife was shocked that I beat her home this is reliable consistent transportation I can average 16 mph and and wiegh 327.I have 3 weeks till next Dr visit hope to loose 25 lbs min wish me luck.If I use weights I can loose it bike is great cardio.

[landongendur]

Sounds like the start to something good :)

[sonofthedestroyer]

Only one issue with cycling is that it is bad for the lower spine.

[landongendur]

Wow, I have actually experienced some strain in that exact spot lately. Is it simply because of a bicycle that isn't fitted properly to the person?

[sonofthedestroyer]

Thats what i have been told. They say you should by one of those large very expensive road bikes with shock absorbers and that is better for spine. Who knows? Personally i would rather walk.

[landongendur]

I bet a recumbent bike would be best because of the elongated seated position. They're pretty expensive though.

[Triwizard9]

Whoow You really did a great job totaling your car... Don't you just love insurance companys..lol..

Poor you...

P;D

[landongendur]

Lol, the Geo crumpled like aluminum foil! At least it cushioned the impact well. Usually my insurance company is pretty good and efficient, but because I was out of province making the claim, they sure make me go through a lot of hoops :P

[Mudduckii]

I really like your VLOGS. It is very interesting to see your life in Canada vs life here in the states. There are many motor kits for bicycles. Some electric and some gasoline. If a bike is your primary means of transportation you should look into these. The gas ones get around 200 Miles per Gallon and go about 30 miles per hour. The Electric will take you about 15 miles at 18 mph on a charge. If you pedal to assist the motor you get way more. Just something to consider. Take care.

[landongendur]

Thanks for the info :) I've actually seen a lot of signs posted around the city advertising websites that provide a service of converting a bike to gas/electric power.

It will be a rocky road this summer I'm sure. It's only April and we're already just 2 cents away from out last-year's record gas price of $1.279 a litre (4.86 a gallon).

[friesian86]

Landon,

You put such a smile on my face! I'm so glad you now have transportation now! God knows it's a bitch not being able to get around! OMG- $5 a gallon! What the hell!! Right now the closest gas stallion to my house has regular unleaded for $ 3.39 a gallon! You canadians have it bad! If gas was that high down hear I think I would consider buying a carriage for my horses!! LOL. Wouldn't that be funny! Anyways, stay safe on the new bike! Jesse ^_^

[landongendur]

Lol, well I guess that's why the bus ticket was $91. It would cost $47 to fill my tiny Geo metro if I was still driving it ;) What's really funny is that if I took a WestJet flight just one day later, I would've gotten home in just a little over an hour for $79 (but I'm sure taxes are extra)!

[landongendur]

Keep in mind that (in my opinion) Americans have adopted a much more intense suburban lifestyle compared to Canadians. 50-100 miles a day to an American isn't unusual. Even the most far-flung suburban homes outside Regina (which has the 4th worst sprawl in the country) aren't more than 10-15 miles away.

[cdltpx]

My wife commutes' 9. Mine 40 miles but I go to work about 4 times a month max.I do my best to stay at work to save the money to build my green home. I use to drive 12 miles to work each day but that job was too stressful my current job is laid back I am treated very well. With a commute of 40 miles I have to have a reliable car there is no way I can handle that with a bike plus I need to refresh my gear when I am in town so I will not be getting rid of my Xb. When ever possible I bike it.

[landongendur]

Nice. I handed out 5 resumes this week and the furthest employer was 1.5 miles away.

[landongendur]

I bet it wouldn't be difficult to affix a bike rack to the front of a truck. Go for it! :)

[cdltpx]

Already thought of that. Would you leave a bike that you paid $400 out so it could be stolen or coated with every bug in the country? You name the bad neighborhood truckers go there? My company will not approve a device like that on the truck I wish they would but they are about one thing business. I wonder if I ever will be able to drive again the knee is getting better it just seems like forever since I was injured, Christmas 07 wow thought I was off for 2 days not ½ year.

[iGayParis]

I can't ride a bike cos I look like a giant gay doing it and I can't drive because im terrified of cars lol...Ill stick to walking!

Paris x

[landongendur]

That's cool that you're able to undergo daily life just by walking. I'm sure driving in the Europe is pretty darn expensive anyway.

[seanasimpson]

I'm buying a bike this year. Mainly so i can go explore the river valley more in depth. And to go in conjunction with my healthier lifestyle choices.

[landongendur]

Awesome to hear! ;) What kind of bike are you going to look for?

[seNCationDrop]

enjoyed the video, yeah definitely the best part of biking is actually experiencing the places between where you are and where you are going. It is crazy what you miss driving on freeways and such. My favorite is the smell that different neighborhoods have, I dont know that might just be me. congrats on the new bike. I actually got my first bike after my car was totaled also. I took my settlement and bought my bike.

[landongendur]

Nice! Looks like you and I are undergoing the same situations :)

It's funny, when I arrived in Regina today, my dad laughed at the idea of going completely car-free stating it is virtually impossible. Classic Reginian mentality.

How many miles do you put on your bike in a given amount of time?

[seNCationDrop]

during the week about 10 miles a day on the weekend probably only 3 or 4 a day. 38km in one day is kick ass though

[landongendur]

Thanks. Now you've given me inspiration to keep it up! ;)

[cdltpx]

Hopefully the therapists will authorize me to ride this week I have 3 bikes to ride. The giant mountain bike;bought it because of lightweight I could disassemble it and reassemble it in a minute paid $400 used. The electric bike 6 speed aluminum frame; range about 12mi$300 you still have to pedal some The folding I carry in the car or truck range 3 miles mostly a little fun bike ride just for kicks or if I have to park too far to walk saves time when you need to get things done fast about $190.

[landongendur]

Sounds like quite the collection! :)

[ofthemonster]

Biking is gay :)

[landongendur]

Perfect for you Devon :P. j/k. Oh my little apathetic friend ;) Make some more vids on your channel soon!

[ofthemonster]

I made one today.. but never put it up, ha..

Is the music in the start from the sims?

[landongendur]

It's the theme from when you're in 'buy' mode. It makes me want to frolic with gleaming appliances ;)

[jchahine]

I'm considering commuting to work by bike, mainly for health reasons. It'll be 7 miles each way.  I have to resolve the problem of rain, getting sweaty, etc. Once I figure all that out, I'll be ready!!

[landongendur]

I think it would be neat if someone mass-produced lightweight, aerodynamic cars that use pedal power rather than an engine. I'm fantasizing building one myself, but right now it's just a dream.

Look up "human powered vehicle" or "velomobile" here on you-tube and you'll find really near 'bicycles' ;)

[cdltpx]

Portable shower can be used as a dressing room/shower? Leave towels at work? Too much for me to do. Some jobs have showers for their employees.

[jchahine]

yes we have showers at work, I think I have to change my wardrobe to something that can be stuffed into a backpack. Difficult to do for an office environment.

[cdltpx]

Use the car on Monday to bring change of cloths for the rest of the week. Bring the cloths home once soiled or drop them to the cleaners near work and retrieve them when you need them. Some cleaners will deliver your cloths. Where there is a will there is a lawsuit.

[alexandracock]

I think if it were anyone else who made a video blog about their bike riding adventures, it would be so boring and I'd have absolutely no intention of watching any more of their videos. But, I love your personality and they way you're just so absolutely honest and endearing. In short, you're awesome, keep up the cycling adventures :]

[landongendur]

Whoa, that was a quick first comment. Literally minutes of posting the video! :P

Thanks for the compliment of my personality. I enjoy bringing joy to people's faces :) I get excited by some of the most mundane things. Tee hee.