I’m not one to go in for social media challenges. I need to say that before I endorse this social media challenge. Back when people were pouring buckets of ice water over their heads I opted to stick with hot showers. I’m neurodiverse, so my pragmatism can sometimes stifle my sense of romance.
That said, someone designated September 30 to October 6, 2024, as Car-Free Week. There’s even a website for Car-Free Week. Pardon me for being late-ish to the punch.
It’s an interesting notion, to go car-free for a week. Of course, this is infinitely easier to try if you already have a bike that will allow you to commute and/or run errands by two wheels, rather than four.
The discomfort of the unknown, be it showing up for a new group ride, walking into a new school or health club, can be powerful enough to keep us at home. The logistics of riding your bike to work or just the grocery store can be intimidating. Where will I lock my bike? Will it actually be secure? Can I carry everything I need?
The site for Car-Free Week uses some sobering stats to help make their case:
- 20 to 50 million life altering injuries are sustained in car crashes each year worldwide
- 3 million car crash fatalities happen annually worldwide
- In the U.S. 42,795 people died in car-crashes in 2022
- ⅓ of all air pollution in the U.S. is caused by vehicles
Like I said, sobering, but those deets don’t really do much to make me want to get on the bike. Granted, I already want to get on the bike, but what gets me to take my e-bike for errands, rather than driving my car is easier to digest, easier to see the benefit and doesn’t require me to remember any statistics.
I love riding a bike, period. When I ride someplace, rather than drive, I always feel better when I get there than if I drove, and that’s true even if I didn’t pedal hard enough to sweat. Also, I’m cheap and I live in California where a gallon of gas runs about the same cost as a pint of Ben and Jerry’s. I’m not sure about you, but I know which one of those I enjoy more. Finally, there’s the reality that we don’t need math to make the case that nothing will lower our carbon footprint more than getting out of our car and traveling by bike. No other change in our daily habits will do more to combat climate change than riding a bike.
I’m not sure how dumping ice water on my head or dancing on camera is meant to change anything, though I don’t begrudge anyone who wants to do it. The car-free challenge is different, though. For many people, going along with the latest fad or trend gives them a sense of belonging. For those of us who feel community in conformity, a challenge like Car-Free Week can encourage us to step outside our comfort zone and try a new thing. It can’t be so bad if our friends are trying it, right?
And if a social media challenge helps us find new ways to live our lives without a car, that’s a win for everyone.