Would you ever consider a car-free lifestyle? What would it take?

Sabriyya Ghanizada, EcoNews Intern

We stopped by the Arcata Farmers Market on April 2 to ask the community what a car-free lifestyle looks like to them and what it would take for them to go car-free. Many people mentioned reliable and efficient transportation as being hard to come by. The general consensus was the need for food; some residents drive from Arcata to Eureka to get groceries. What about those who use their cars for transportation and shelter? Then there are the bike enthusiasts that would like safer bicycle lanes and the workforce that has to use their cars to run work errands. One thing is certain, there is a need for more accessible modes of transportation in Humboldt County. 

Makayla O. and Friend – “Reliable and efficient public transportation. Meaning that it comes on time, does not break down. That’s an issue in my hometown, a lot of public transit breaks down or just doesn’t come at all, especially in more rural areas. So, making sure that people can trust that they will be able to go where they need to be. Kind of like in other countries. Efficient means on-time and fuel efficient.”

Dave B. – “I try to use other forms of transportation, but I need to get my tools to and from work. I try to drive on Mondays and get them to the site so I can ride my bike or take the bus the rest of the week. Also just switching to electric cars isn’t the answer, because it’s just trading one finite resource (lithium) for another. I heard there is a possibility of mining lithium from the Salton Sea, which it would be great if we could create our own lithium without exploiting other countries and child labor. In the meantime, I think we should use the technology we have now instead of waiting for the oil companies and their carbon capture. I don’t have any faith in the oil companies to do the right thing. They just want to keep kicking the can down the road. We all can do something. That’s what gets me mad about old people like me, you know they say that’s you kids’ problem now, I don’t have to worry about that. That’s not fair to you young people to dump it all on you guys.” 

Sabrina B. – “I think a lot of the issue is with rent. As prices go up, it’s a lot to pay with nothing to show for it. If you live in a car, you have a lot more freedom. I am currently staying on my friend’s couch and I’ve considered saving for a car rather than saving for a deposit. I think more reasonable rent would get people out of their cars. There needs to be more accessible housing.”  

Reise R. – “Being in a walkable community would be huge. Having access to groceries stores and schools and cool hang-out places. Arcata is cool because we have this central hub, but I drive to Eureka for groceries, so having an affordable place to get groceries nearby would be a huge thing for me.” 

Monica L. – “I love my car. We’ve made steps by going to an electric car and a hybrid car, but I love my car. It’s my solace. When I have a busy day at work it helps me decompress and rock out to good music.”

Gracie L. – “More local job opportunities. I have to go to Eureka to my office and then run errands for work, so I need reliable transportation to do that.”

Joanne M. – “I have a car that I drive as infrequently as possible. I make a weekly trip to Eureka and plan my trip to make the rounds. I have an old fossil fuel vehicle that will probably be the last I ever get. I really want our communities to become difficult to drive in so that we all can do other things and get places in other ways. I want to see significant public transit improvements. We need two transit hubs in Arcata, in Samoa and Valley West, and have a shuttle or bus system that moves through town on a regular basis, morning, noon and night.”

Emily S. – “I like biking and if there were more bike lanes – safer, wider bike lanes, that would make it so much easier. I feel like in the downtown area, the traffic is pretty slow, so that’s good for picking up groceries and stuff. I like to recreational bike. But if I have to go to a farther away grocery store, I’d like more bike lanes.”