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.
I'm almost car free, but I drive to the Metro almost every morning. What a gut-wrenching two minutes that is. Is there a way I can cut down on my car usage so that I don't have to start my day riddled with guilt over what I'm doing to Mother Earth?
Posted by: Jim Eltringham | January 08, 2008 at 10:22 PM
I have lived in Arlington Car-Free for 3 years. Having moved here from Manhattan a decade ago, I looked for areas to live with all the amenities of a good life packed in nearby. Courthouse Metro area is perfect -- I live 3 blocks from that station, so when my car died, it was easy to use all of the great transit and carpool options. Or just walk.
So I'm very excited about the County's Car-Free Diet program, but I can't find anywhere on the site -- although I swear I saw it there previously -- any info on the tagline "I Lost 2,000 Lbs."
I know it's about carbon emissions, but where is that explained -- is that the average reduction someone who leaves their car at home once per week can expect? Can someone tell me?
And hey -- wouldn't it be great if Gov. Kaine went on the "Diet"? And announced that on Earth Day in Richmond, and then asked all of Virginia to join him?
Ask him to do that. Call him at (804) 786-2211 or e-mail him by visiting his "handy Web form": http://www.governor.virginia.gov/AboutTheGovernor/contactGovernor.cfm
Posted by: Laura Delye | February 28, 2008 at 09:51 PM
In response to Laura's question about the "I Lost 2000 lbs" tagline, it refers to how much weight (the weight of a car) you can "lose" by leaving your car in the driveway. It's a play on the diet ads and infomercials that promote quick weight loss if you go on their diets. We are offering a 2000 lb weight loss if you go on Arlington's Car-Free Diet.
Posted by: Bobbi | March 13, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Just found your site by accident doing a search for something completely unrelated. I very much like what i have seen so far! Added your RSS feed to my rss reader, looking forward to reading more. thanks
Posted by: Martin Tip | May 16, 2008 at 08:37 AM
Riding a bicycle is a great alternative if your in good health standings. But if your not then you can look into getting a hybrid car or something along those lines.
Posted by: How To Run Your Car On Water | May 30, 2008 at 11:15 PM
I think a car free lifestyle depends on the state of public transport in your area. Sometimes its just too bad to surrender a car or motorcycle
Posted by: Christopher | June 21, 2008 at 04:49 PM
This is a great idea for increasing awareness of not only the reliance on other energy sources than our own, but getting up and moving for the sake of being healthy! People just don't think like that anymore - walking a mile for something. We're spoiled to the point of being unhealthy, and maybe even unkind. Keep up the good work.
Posted by: Med | July 02, 2008 at 05:46 PM
That is great that you have the ability and resources to give it up. I wish I could drive my bike to work, it would be me some much needed exercise!
Posted by: Limousine Service | August 15, 2008 at 06:04 PM
the calculator would be useful IF:
* i could differentiate between trips made walking, using transit, driving, etc. (i do all three, depending on the trip)
* the calculator weren't ridiculously buggy.
nice idea, poor execution. definitely not shared-item feed-worthy.
Posted by: aj | September 30, 2008 at 12:35 PM
I also support car-free life. Everyone supporting this ideea helps the world grow a better place for our childrens.
Posted by: Service Bmw | November 18, 2008 at 10:09 AM
I found a cool loking website but i cant get acces to it www.bodytrace.com looks good for weight tracking and monitoring..
Troy
Posted by: Troy | November 20, 2008 at 02:08 AM
I also agree with this blog.It is a quite interesting blog.That's a good idea for car owners.Thanks for providing this website with a lot of time and effort.
Posted by: newport driving school | January 17, 2009 at 08:05 AM
Living car free is a lifestyle choice, you need to commit to the ideal by finding work nearer to home, you should also consider how much money it costs to run a car, you can then take a cut in salary by that amount.
Posted by: Sell Your Car | April 01, 2009 at 04:02 AM
I live close to downtown in Asheville, NC. I love being able to walk downtown for restaurants, events and shopping, and it helps me to stay fit!
Posted by: Deborah Barnett, PhD | October 09, 2009 at 10:20 PM
I totally agree with you. Why would use car, when you have access to public transportation system, or you could easily ride a bike?
Posted by: Car Rental LAX | November 16, 2009 at 09:59 PM
Great post. Thanks for sharing this. Looking forward to read more from you.
Posted by: LA Town Car | November 17, 2009 at 12:00 AM
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