Arlington's Car-Free Diet Blog

Welcome to Arlington’s Car-Free Diet, the easy, fun way to see how incredible it can feel to live a car-free or car-lite lifestyle. Each time you leave your car at home—choosing instead to ride ART or Metro, bike, walk or telework—you can save money, improve your health and clean our environment.

Very Happy Living in Arlington

For 2 years now, I have been taking the 16Y every morning at the corner of Columbia Pike and Walter Reed, and at least 3 days a week, I have my bike in the front rack of the bus.

At K and 16th Street I get out of the bus and bike north to 16 and P Street where my office is located.  In the afternoon, I bike home...the trip takes roughly 40 minutes.

This way of combining transportation allows me to exercise, connect with my neighborhood, save money, enjoy the sites in DC and Arlington and protect the planet...I'm very happy living in Arlington...transportation in our County rocks!

Edgar Gil, Arlington, VA

I Am Brilliant

My husband and I moved from suburban life 3 years ago to a condo in Clarendon (Arlington) -- and I felt brilliant at the time, with gas at $3/gallon. With gas now at $4+, I feel like a downright genius!

Now the New York Times has confirmed my genius-ness with an article, "Fuel Prices Shift Math for Life in Far Suburbs." As the article states, "The shift to costlier fuel is threatening to slow the decades-old migration away from cities."

Higher fuel prices may at last be providing the big motivation for people to seek a more transit-oriented, walkable, bikeable life. We've already seen that Arlington's urban villages have weathered the housing downturn better than our ex-burban neighbors.

Urban villages = healthier and now, wealthier! Am I brilliant, or what!

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Diana Sun is Director of Communications for Arlington County, a walking commuter, bicylist, and happy resident of the urban village of Clarendon.

It's Easier Than We Thought

I've been working at the Pentagon for several years and used to drive/carpool to work. I decided to give Metrobus a try since the bus stop is right at the end of my street. That was over a year ago and it's a very convenient alternative to driving. We use mass transit so much now that my fiancee and I sold our second car. We've been living on one car for a few months now and it's a lot easier then we thought. When we both have busy evenings, it takes some logistical planning, but it always works out.

Jeremy Galliani, Arlington, VA

Thanks to Car-Free Diet

I was tired of sitting in the traffic and decided to go biking for this summer to work. It is about 5 miles to my work, took me a while to figure out a safe route, but I am really enjoying the scenic and pleasant ride to work.

I was inspired by a brochure from Car-Free Diet and tried this. Thanks to them.

Peter Namburi, Arlington, VA

Car Free Since 2000

I gave up my car way back in November 2000 -- and I haven't looked back since.

I walk everywhere I go, except for my morning commute to Capitol Hill when I use Metro (not a fan of getting up early!). But I do walk 5.25 miles back home and over the years I've become quite knowledgable about the tourist spots, downtown D.C., Arlington County and all it has to offer. Living car-free has kept me in shape and better tuned to what's really happening in communities and has given me money in my pocket.

Andrew Blasko, Arlington, VA

Gave Up Our Car and Haven't Given Up Anything

For the past two years, my wife and I lived in separate cities. I lived here in Arlington and she lived 200 miles away in downtown Norfolk, Virginia. We made do with only one vehicle even though we had a 400 mile roundtrip excursion to take every weekend. Often, I took Amtrak all the way to Norfolk or I shared a ride with another long distance commuter. Most importantly, both my wife and I made lifestyle choices to live within walking distance of work. We each had a 10-minute walk to work and were steps away from all of the services and goods one needed most days.

Last month, we moved back in together in a brand new apartment building in Crystal City. Without the weekly long-distance commute and in order to avoid $100 per month parking fees, we decided to ditch the car and reward ourselves with the savings! Zipcar helps us to fill in the gaps of our driving needs and we rely heavily on walking, biking, Metro, and taxis for weekend travel needs. The proximity of grocery stores, two Metro stops, and other world-class shopping, makes it feel like we have not given anything up! What a relief!

Robert Mandle, Arlington, VA

Metro to Work in Bethesda

I have been taking the Metro to work in Bethesda for 17 years. People ask me directions on how to drive to Bethesda and I don't have a clue since I'm underground the entire trip.

I also have the philosophy that if I can't get there by walking or by riding Metro, I don't NEED to get there.

I do own a car (1994 Saturn) but only drive it to the grocery store/dry cleaner once a week and maybe Home Depot when needed. I think the last time I filled the tank was in February.

Kim McLeod, Arlington, VA

Walking in Arlington

It took me a year-and-a-half but after searching for the right place to live, we finally decided on Arlington specifically because we can walk everywhere to do our errands and visitors can too! What a youthful place to live!

Hania Qutub, Arlington,VA

Car Free Off the Orange Line

I recently moved from Ballston to South Arlington and thought being off the Orange Line was going to dramatically change the way I got around. It didn't. I can take the bus right from Columbia Pike to its last stop at the McPherson Square Metro, about two blocks from my office.

What's even better is the 3 or 4 days a week (less when it's cold and/or rainy) is when I ride my bike in. It takes about 10 minutes less in the morning and about 15 minutes less in the afternoon. Plus, there are all the added benefits of exercise, which I'm sure have been repeated by others. But what's really nice is that biking from Arlington into DC is mostly downhill. It makes it much easier to get going in the morning when gravity is on your side. I find that the mornings I bike in I'm also energized and rarely need the dreaded third cup of coffee to ge me through the morning.

Dan Bruechert, Arlington, VA

Car Free in NYC and Now Arlington

My husband and I moved here from NYC, another city with a great public transportation system. We wanted to maintain our car-free lifestyle, so we got an apartment near the Metro. Zipcar is great when we need a car, which is not often. With my employer's transit benefit, we only spend about $100 a month getting around. We are free from the costs and responsibilities of owning a car, and we get a lot more exercise than we otherwise would. Thanks Arlington for promoting this! It has been a great choice for us.

JB Simpson, Arlington, VA

Car Free and Loving It

For nearly two years I lived 2 blocks from a Metro stop but just couldn't bring myself to ditch my car altogether. That was until my lease finally ran out on my car this past January. Rather than dump thousands of dollars into a new, shiny gas guzzler, I decided I'd try the car-free diet. While my timing wasn't spectacular (it was hard to walk with my head high and be proud on the single digit temperature mornings this past winter) but now I don't regret it in the slightest. I walk or Metro everywhere, and was able to take advantage of the transportation from West Falls Church to the company I work for in Tysons Corner, provided for FREE by the company. The company also participates in the SmarTrip/SmartBenefits program so my monthly Metro transportation costs are paid pre-tax. My commute has been extended by 10 extra minutes to/from work, but I've noticed the grey hairs in my head have stopped sprouting so the effects of the car-free diet are noticable. I have several alternatives to traveling around NoVA when Metro doesn't meet my needs -- Zipcar (love it!), Envirocab (love this too!), or even renting a car for a day. This may happen 1-2x per month, but my total transportation costs are still a fraction of what I used to pay. And I've also learned to not hesitate asking people for rides -- why put 2 cars on the road when we can just share 1? And my favorite part about doing the car-free diet -- getting to listen to my co-workers gripe about the rising gas prices while I smirk at my desk proudly dangling my Metro pass!

Tasha Stryker, Arlington, VA

Metro Instead of Driving

I recently moved to a house near Virginia Square, which is only an 8 - 9 minute drive to my work at the Pentagon...with traffic and stop lights. Most people in Northern Virginia would say that I have the ideal commute. But last month, I decided to stop driving to save money on gas. Instead, I walk .5 miles each way to the Metrobus stop and transfer to the Metro at Rosslyn, which then takes me directly to work. It may take me an extra 15 minutes to get to work, but the convenience of the Metro locations and added benefits of exercise and reduced travel expenses makes it well worth the change!

I encourage all to use the Metro system to its fullest!

Melissa, Arlington, VA

Live Near My Work

Moved here from out of state to accept a job offer in Ballston. Horrified at the thought of crawling through commuter traffic jams twice every day. Moved into Ballston -- it costs more for less space, but a three-minute walk to work every day is worth downsizing. Less stress, more free time, MUCH healthier! Hight recommended.

Helen MacCall, Ballston

What About Motorcycles?

I am disappointed that the website doesn't mention motorcycling as an option. I have a motorcycle that gets over 50 miles to a gallon, or about 200 miles to a 3.5 gallon tank. I often ride the cycle to work, creating a significantly smaller carbon footprint than any hybrid vehicle on the road. And, think of how little space this takes up on the road and in parking. If only Arlington encouraged/allowed for motorcycle parking like DC does, we would see room in the county open up significantly.

I also have lockable saddle bags on my bike and can drop off dry cleaning and even buy groceries, take out food, buy other items, and run other trips (like trips to Target, the gym, softball games and friend's house) on the cycle.

Why does the county discriminate against motorcycles? I have noticed the county, in addition to omitting anything about cycles on this site, does not have laws that protect the motorcyclist as other localities do.

David Lusk, Arlington

Biking in the Burbs

I moved to Arlington two years ago from Fairfax County. I live near East Falls Church station and I work in Falls Church City, about two miles away. I took the opportunity to switch to bicycle commuting because it was a no-brainer. But I've also switched to bicycling for almost all my errands. Now the only time my car gets used is to visit my parents. I think Arlington, a metropolitan "urban county" is great about bicycle friendliness, but living on the border of Falls Church and Fairfax County, I know bicycling as transportation in the suburbs -- not just for leisure jaunts --- can be somewhat an uphill experience, and I'm brainstorming on ways I might compile online what I've learned about bicycling as a means of transportation and doing personal business to promote the Car-Free Diet in the Greater Falls Church area, which could do a great job like Arlington and be totally bikeable too.

James Moon, East Falls Church

Seeing Results from the Car-Free Diet

I used to drive to work every single day. Then I woke up one day and decided to give up driving and take public transportation instead. My decision was prompted by Walter Tejada's message on the Car-Free Diet, by  Arlington County Government's openess in including in the budget proposals spring 2008, additional bus service on the bus line I ride, and by my desire to lose weight.

To get to my bus stop, I walk 1.4 miles each way. I've combined walking and transit as a way to reduce my carbon footprint. In the process, I have saved money on gas, parking, car maintenance and improved my health -- dropped 2 dress sizes since late February 2008.

Muna Salim, Arlington, VA

Car Free in Cleveland

My husband and I moved to Portland, Oregon in May 2006 on a whim and sold our car right before moving. We traveled around Portland during our time there (through September 2007) entirely by transit, which was very easy to do because Portland has such a great transit system.

Upon moving back to Ohio for family reasons, we thought we'd need to get a car right away, but haven't yet because we realized we had gotten so used to our public transit lifestyle, that we felt no need to buy a car. It's all a matter of re-prioritizing and time management. No, grocery shopping isn't one big trip on the weekends; it's a number of smaller trips throughout the week. Going to Cleveland's West Side Market isn't a quick five minute drive, but it's a 20 minute bus ride that takes us through a really cool neighborhood.

We do carpool from time to time with friends to get places, but for the most part, it's walking and public transit for us and we honestly wouldn't have it any other way.

Clara Sayre, Lakewood, OH

Commute from Arlington to Tysons on Bike

I bike to work in Tysons Corner four or five days a week (23 miles roundtrip), year round. I keep a list of mass transit options handy for days it snows/ices while at work so I can easliy get to a bus or Metro to get home. Walk to most places in the neighborhood for food, etc., and try to limit my big grocery/Target runs to once every couple weeks. My wife walks to work as well.

Matt Robinson, Arlington,VA

Car-Free for Exercise and the Environment

I have lived car-free in Arlington for three years and believe it creates the best exercise I could engage in while I reduce my carbon footprint significantly.

One of the best tools I use is the weeknight 7:02 4A Metrobus to Culmore. This runs right in front of my apartment and drops me two blocks from my destination, the UU Church of Arlington, where I have many meetings that all begin at 7:30 pm.

For Earth Day 2008, our Environmental Committee at church will ask every member to take alternative transportation at least once during the month of April. We have created an account with "iCarPool" service and hope to enroll at least 400 people in the next year.

Laura Dely, Arlington, VA

Biking, not driving, in Toronto

I primarily walk and use public transit already, but I am taking a bike repair course and fixing up my old bike so that I can bike places and rely less on buses and subways. As soon as the snow melts, I plan to start biking on all of my trips.

Lauren Butler, Toronto, ON, Canada

Car-Free in Arlington: First by Choice and Now by Necessity

I live and work in Arlington and have always tried to live a car-free/car-lite lifestyle. With two small kids and unforgiving deadlines for drop-offs and pick-ups, however, I must admit that I have not always been able to live up to my car-free standards. Then I had foot surgery in early January. While the surgery took only two hours, recovery requires two months in a cast and on crutches, plus one month in one of those stylish walking boots. Oh, and NO DRIVING for the three-month duration. 

I'm at the halfway point and the transition has been remarkably easy. Why?  One word: options...

1. I live just two houses down from a street served by three bus lines and just four blocks from the closest Metro train station. These transit options get me almost everywhere I need to go.

2. My employer offers transit benefits so buses and Metro rides are no extra expense.

3. I've been carpooling with my family and hitching rides with friends and neighbors when needed, particularly for school and extracurricular activities.

4. I've taken the occasional cab, though only when absolutely necessary.

Just yesterday, my choices in this final category multiplied with the addition of EnviroCab to the Arlington scene.

Billed as the first carbon-negative taxi operator in the country, EnviroCab uses only hybrid vehicles that conserve gas by running on electric motors at certain speeds. Since these cars still emit carbons, EnviroCab plans to buy carbon offsets from carbonfund.org to achieve its carbon-negative goal.

EnviroCab hit Arlington streets on February 11, with 15 taxis. Another 25 will be added to the fleet by the end of February. All are Ford Escape or Toyota Prius hybrid vehicles.

As luck would have it, I had an opportunity to try this new green Arlington cab service yesterday when I found myself without any other way to pick up my kids from the extended day program at school. Minutes after calling 703-920-3333, I was met by a friendly cab driver in his brightly painted green and white Toyota Prius, threw my crutches in the pristine back seat, and fastened my seatbelt.

In the short round-trip to my kids' school , we attracted a lot of attention from fellow commuters as well as from the elementary school kids who saw us pull up alongside the playground. Once inside the cab, my 8-year-old son marvelled at the high-tech mapping and tracking devices that helped us navigate the 1.5-mile trip home. My daughter liked the colorful paint job and knowing that we weren't polluting.

Minutes later, we were back home. The fare was no more than a traditional cab ride, and the emissions were far less. The trip was also educational, as I learned that Arlington-based Red Top cab purchased five hybrid Escapes last year, providing yet another green cab option here in Arlington.

While I would have preferred not to undergo foot surgery or the subsequent marathon recovery,  I sure am glad I could recover in Arlington. Whether bus or metro, car-pooling or green cabs, Arlington has a car-free or car-lite option for everyone -- and you don't even have to be on crutches to try them all!

Lauren Hassel, Arlington, Virginia

Car-Free in Wisconsin

More car-free folks like me. That is the reason for visiting the Arlington website and reading about all that you are doing to improve yourselfs and community. It's true -- life is better when you don't own a car.

I have been living car-free with my wife and three children in Wisconsin for almost five years. If we can do it in Wisconsin, you can do it in Virginia!

Some think this is made more difficult with kids, but our children are more motivation and inspiration to keep going! They are more confident and independent than their peers and frankly, don't tire as easily.

I wish you great success with this campaign and hope you inspire many more people to challenge themselves to live more and drive less!

B. Henderson, Eau Claire, Wisconsin

January 29 Car-Free Diet Expo Features "How To Live Well Without Owning A Car" Author Chris Balish

Co-host of the TV show The CW Now and author of How To Live Well Without Owning A Car, Chris Balish, will be visiting the area from Los Angeles as he attends Arlington's Car-Free Diet Expo on Tuesday morning, January 29. This is your chance to meet the author and get an autographed and free copy of the Special Arlington, Virginia Edition of his book, which can be your practical guide for going on the Car-Free Diet.

Says Google about the book:

"The first practical, accessible, and sensible guide to living in North America without owning a car. It exposes the true costs of car ownership and shows how getting rid of your car can simplify your life and put you on the road to financial freedom. The book is packed with realistic, economical alternatives to owning a car, including chapters on carsharing, carpooling, and even car-free dating. It includes more than 100 real-world tips, strategies, and success stories from people who are happily car-free or "car-lite," from cities to suburbs. According to a 2004 American Automobile Association study, the average American spends $8,410 per year (roughly $700 per month) to own a vehicle."

The Expo, held at the hotel Palomar in Rosslyn, has two sessions. The first from 8:00 - 10:00 am is designed for the business community and property managers to help them help their employees and tenants go car-free or car-lite. The second session from 10:30 until 12:00 noon is designed to give anyone practical tips on going car-free or car-lite. All attendees will receive a free autographed copy of Mr. Balish's book and be eligible for many prizes being given away by the dozen vendors there to provide you with information. RSVP today!  Send us an email or call 703.247.9299.

And here's a fun YouTube video of a report from a L.A. TV station report about Chris' story about the book. Hope to see you at the Expo!

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Chris Hamilton is the Commuter Services Chief for Arlington County, manager of CommuterPageBlog and a biking/Metro commuter from Rosemont in Alexandria.

Giving Up My Car to Make a Political Statement

In the summer of 2006, my 1996 red Volkswagen Jetta remained idle in the parking lot of my apartment building as I bagan to take the 3A Metrobus to Rosslyn Metro Station for my commute in Georgetown.

(Some people say it's impossible to get into Georgetown via public transportation; even though it is tunnel-less, it is not bus-less. The 38B and the Georgetown Metro Connection take me into and out of Georgetown in very time-friendly manners.)

And then three months later, at the gasping of friends and the wrinkled brows of family, I -- a young, 20-something professional and social butterfly -- gave away my car, and have been car-free ever since.

With the current and on-going environmental concerns, and the ever-so-daunting political arguments over the war, oil and economy, Ifelt it was my duty to contribute the only way I could. By giving up my car, I do my part of cleansing the air (among other things) and making a political statement.

Julie Weber, Arlington

Go Car-Free and Feel Zenned Out, Relaxed and Lighter

Last month we found found inspiration for going car-free in a story from Los Angeles (Inspiration for Going Car-Free from L.A. Yes, That's Los Angeles, December 16, 2007) about Simon Pastucha, city planner and father of two, who went car-free. So now comes another inspirational car-free story from the city everyone associates with the automobile. This time, L.A. Times blogger Seil - who writes the environmental blog Emerald City: Siel Follows The Road To Green Living Los Angeles - shares the story of "L.A. girl Kathryn Pope" (Car-Free in L.A.: Girl Meets Motorboard, January 17) who is going car-free by using a combination of an electric motorboard scooter, public transit and carsharing. Says Kathryn:

"Then once this October, while the car was in the shop, I decided not to let my car interfere with my life anymore, and I took the bus. I read while I traveled. I watched people around me. I looked out the window. And when I got where I was going, I was downright zenned out."

The zen-like experience led Kathryn to make the decision to eventually go car-free. And now she says:

"The thing I'm enjoying most about being car-free is how relaxed I've become. It actually feels like a luxury to let someone else drive me from place to place. I feel more a part of the community, because I'm not isolated from it, and I feel considerably lighter."

Now that's very nicely said, isn't it?

You can follow Kathryn's story in Siel's "De-car-ing" series.

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Chris Hamilton is the Commuter Services Chief for Arlington County, manager of CommuterPageBlog and a biking/Metro commuter from Rosemont in Alexandria.

Learn How To Go Car-Free or Car-Lite at Arlington's Car-Free Expo January 29

The first must-attend "green" event of the 2008 season is Arlington's Car-Free Diet Expo. The event, to be held at the brand spanking new and gleaming Hotel Palomar in Rosslyn (2 blocks from the Metro) on the morning of January 29, has something for everyone. Breakfast will be provided. Attendees can register to win many door prizes and everyone will get a chance to meet Chris Balish and receive a free autographed copy of the "Special Arlington Virginia" edition of his book "How To Live Well Without Owning A Car."

Employers and property managers will get to learn about the services of Arlington Transportation Partners. Everyone will get to attend speed learning sessions with national experts covering information on transportation services and programs as well as other green services available in Arlington. Fresh AIRE and Arlington Recycles staff will also be on hand to teach you what your business or property can do to be environmentally friendly.

Exhibitors include Zipcar, TeleworkVA!, GoLoco, Whole Foods, Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment, Fresh AIRE, Bike and Walk Arlington, Arlington Recycles and many more (for a full list visit the Expo web page). Each of these vendors will be providing great prizes including free energy audits and more. These will be listed on the web site shortly.

Visit Arlington's Car-Free Diet Expo web page for more information and don't forget to RSVP. Send us an email or call 703.247.9299. See you on the 29th!

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Chris Hamilton is the Commuter Services Chief for Arlington County, manager of CommuterPageBlog and a biking/Metro commuter from Rosemont in Alexandria.

Car-Free in Milwaukee!?

A couple of weeks ago I was riding the Metro and overheard an interesting interaction.  A newbie rider got on, and a conversation ensued between her and a couple of other riders, who seemed to be regulars.  She mentioned that she was from Milwaukee, and one of her interlocutors mentioned that he had gone to college there a decade or so ago.  So, as people will, they chatted about various places they knew in common and were having quite a pleasant little talk.  Then out of nowhere the gentleman who had gone to college there said, ". . .and it's easy to live there without a car."
What a surprise!--for a couple of reasons.

First, the whole idea of relating to a stranger that living without a car is an advantage in our car-culture society was quite unusual.  And second, Milwaukee is not a city that immediately comes to mind when one thinks of places to live without owning cars.

So if they can do it in Milwaukee, then the Car-Free diet in Arlington should be even easier.  Those of you who read Chris Balish's How to Live Well Without a Car may recall that the author started out in St. Louis, which is probably not that dissimilar from Milwaukee for living car-free.
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Steve Offutt is an Arlington resident who lives car-lite, but yearns for the day he can be car-free again.

A couple of weeks ago I was riding the Metro and overheard an interesting interaction.  A newbie rider got on, and a conversation ensued between her and a couple of other riders, who seemed to be regulars.  She mentioned that she was from Milwaukee, and one of her interlocutors mentioned that he had gone to college there a decade or so ago.  So, as people will, they chatted about various places they knew in common and were having quite a pleasant little talk.  Then out of nowhere the gentleman who had gone to college there said, ". . .and it's easy to live there without a car."
What a surprise!--for a couple of reasons.

First, the whole idea of relating to a stranger that living without a car is an advantage in our car-culture society was quite unusual.  And second, Milwaukee is not a city that immediately comes to mind when one thinks of places to live without owning cars.

So if they can do it in Milwaukee, then the Car-Free diet in Arlington should be even easier.  Those of you who read Chris Balish's How to Live Well Without a Car may recall that the author started out in St. Louis, which is probably not that dissimilar from Milwaukee for living car-free.
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Steve Offutt is an Arlington resident who lives car-lite, but yearns for the day he can be car-free again.

New Car that I Don't Drive

I own a fairly new car. I have not driven this car since the day I bought it because I rely exclusively on the Metrobus and Metrorail for commuting. I live in a small, expensive apartment where I tolerate large rent increases every year just so I can walk to the excellent public transportation nearby.

Marie Kessler, Arlington

Nothing New to Me

All this is nothing new to me. I have been without a car for over 7 years. I live near Metro and use Zipcars if I need to. I also walk to many places in Arlington and Washington, DC. By doing so I save money and burn calories not gas...

David Franciosi, Arlington

Car-Free Diet Success Story

I gave up my car in July  and it has been the healthiest decision I have ever made. I have since lost 10 pounds and a couple of dress sizes. I saw the poster on the Metro about the Car-Free Diet and I realized that the diet was working for me.

Kathleen Mackin, Alexandria