Middle-Aged Parents Breaking Free from the Shackles of Car Dependence

It’ll take momentum from parents to normalize bicycling as transportation.

Every year during Bike Month, I’ll see a story about a parent yearning to break free from the monotonous grip of the four-wheeled cage. They want to live a car-lite lifestyle, not to save the planet, but to save the checking account. Keeping two cars in the garage costs about $20,000 a year, so only saving $10,000 a year would make a huge difference. But something holds that parent back, and it’s the same for most Americans. Visualize the path to the neighborhood coffee shop, and you think "It's dangerous to ride bikes for transportation." 

Half of America’s car trips are under a few miles long, which is a short bicycle ride. But we all know it’s not the distance that’s scary, it’s the infrastructure. 

When it’s time to run errands, you sit in a comfortable car, surrounded by steel and glass, cocooned in a sense of safety. The idea of venturing into the streets where cars, seemingly impervious and in a constant hurry, dominate the streets. It's a jungle out there, right? So why risk it?

Deep down, you want what's best for yourself and your loved ones. You want to protect your people, shield them from harm, and keep them safe. That's an instinct we all share. So, when thoughts of cycling as a mode of transportation dance in your mind, it's only natural for worry to creep in, taunting you with worst-case scenarios.

"What if I get hit by a car? What if my kids want to join me, and I can't guarantee their safety? What if I'm not as agile as I used to be?" These are valid questions, and I don’t want to brush them off with empty reassurances or lofty statistics. I think it’s better if we face the fears one at a time.

Yes, the streets are designed for fast cars. They scream power and efficiency, while bicycles seem like the underdog, a mere afterthought in the grand scheme of urban planning. But you know what? It's time to flip the script. It's time to reclaim our streets, not just for the speed demons on four wheels but also for us, the ordinary folks seeking a simpler, more sustainable way of life. And if you’re honest, you’ll come to grips with the fact that sometimes you are the reckless speed demon.

This week I was interviewed for a local radio show about what makes our streets an asphalt jungle. I start at 28:12, talking about how to make streets safer via (1) design changes and (2) social changes.

I want to encourage other parents to break free from car dependency, starting with a basic understanding of why fast cars and slow bikes don't mix. Before Bike Month comes to an end, I’ll write about a journey of exploration, empowerment, and more than a little bit of rebellion. 

If you know other parents who are curious about bike-friendly streets, then please use the purple button.