Jepedale.com, le vélo pour passion

Last week i came across Tammy’s blog RowdyKittens and discovered that she had just released a book called “Simply Car-Free : How to Pedal Toward Financial Freedom and a Healthier Life” ($9.95 only for the first 500 buyers!)

As she mentions it at the begining of her book, this is not a step-by-step guide to living a car-free life but instead a way to question our consumer culture.

Tammy has been kind enough to answer a few questions for jepedale.com. (Je publierai la version française d’ici quelques jours)

Hi Tammy, can you tell us a bit of yourself?

Blogging and online technologies entered my life in 2007. I started a new job and became interested in the blogosphere, social networking and marketing. I created RowdyKittens primarily to keep friends and family members updated on my life. Surprisingly, RowdyKittens has turned into an amazing online community. I’m honored to be writing for such amazing readers and believe simple living has the potential to change people’s lives for the better.

When not working on RowdyKittens, I can be found outside taking photos, running or riding my bike.

What was your first bicycle?

Gosh, I don’t remember! I think it was a trek hybrid type frame. Right now I ride a Surly Long Haul Trucker and it’s perfect for me. I can haul lots of groceries around town and still go fast.

When/where did you start riding a bicycle?

I grew up in a small, rural, Northern California town and started riding bikes with my mom on the weekends and after school. I cherish those memories. I loved being outside and spending time with my mom was always fun. Unfortunately, once I started driving I ditched my bike for my car. I’m so happy that I rediscovered the joy of biking. I think it’s one of the best methods of transportation.

Why did you start using a bicycle?

I started using my bike as my main method of transportation about 2 years ago to save money, improve my health and reduce my environmental impact. Saving money was a huge priority for us. On average we save about $8,000 a year by not owning a car.

What were the main motivations to write your book “Simply car-free”?

Dee Williams’ tiny house and the idea of a simpler life inspired us to try something new. Simple living challenged us to eliminate our unnecessary stuff and to prioritize our life goals.

Selling the cars was a big decision for us because we were afraid that our dependence on cars was actually an essential need. By going car-free we realized we didn’t need to depend on cars and we were able to save money, improve our health, and gain the freedom to pursue our life goals.

I wrote Simply Car-free to help people achieve their goals of saving money, improving their health, and living a simpler lifestyle. Reducing our dependence on cars clarified our priorities and showed us that anything is possible.

Would you have any advices for parents in order to have them using a bicycle instead of a car?

I’m not a parent, but I have beautiful little nieces and nephews that I care deeply about and I think it’s important for parents to consider their options.

I would recommend parents start doing research. It is possible to be car-free or car-lite with kids. There are many parents who live a car-free life and rave about the benefits. A couple that comes to mind is out of Massachusetts. They have a blog called, Car Free with Kids and it contains a wealth of information. - http://carfreewithkids.blogspot.com/

Car-free living may not fit your lifestyle, but this book is a series of small guides that will help you evaluate and address your concerns of going car-free or car-lite.

You live in Portland which is considered as one of the most bicycle-friendly city in the world, can you tell us a bit more about how average americans consider bicycles?

We moved to Portland about a month ago and love it. It is an amazing community.

I don’t think I can speak for the “average american.” My experience with friends and family suggests most American’s don’t consider cycling as tool for transportation. Many folks consider bicycles as recreational toys. When we sold our cars family and friends thought we were crazy. They viewed their bikes like a pair of snow skis or swimming apparel, only useful while on vacation and not as a viable means of transportation. After my family observed my transition to a car-free life they see bike commuting differently now. They see that I’m healthier, debt-free and happier. They value our courage for choosing an unconventional mode of transit and envy us during rush hour in their cars.

I think it’s important to live by your values and intentions. Setting a good example and sharing your story with others is one way to change the world.

Your book is mostly about affluenza and living-lightly lifestyle, do you feel/think the consumer culture is changing in the US?

There has been an increase in the number of minimalist and simple living bloggers who are educating people about the negative effects of consumerism. One of my blogging friends call us the “minimalist army.”  Educating people about this issue is extremely important.

I also think American’s are starting to rethink their lifestyle choices. Especially since the great recession started. We can’t sustain our current consumption and debt levels.

What is the action you’re the proudest of?

Another hard question! )

Overcoming my fear, divorcing my car and using my bike as my main method of transportation.

I’m also very proud of this book and my blog. I feel like I’ve influenced a number of people in positive ways. Some of my readers have downsized their stuff and some have gone car-free or car-lite. It’s incredible to be part of such an amazing community.

According to you what is the most important factor we need to overcome in order to start changing the way we live?

2 things: 1. Overcoming the fear of change 2. the importance of community involvement.

My wish is to address the fear of change on everyone’s mind. It’s so easy to be hindered by fear. I think it’s important to remember that anything is possible. When we sold our cars we didn’t get much support from friends and family members. We were told that our decision was crazy and austere.

Connecting with your community is incredibly important. I hope more and more cities will follow Portland’s lead and develop policies that cater to bikes. But that won’t happen without active citizens. We all have to do our part.

How can people test the waters before they sell their car?

Change is scary and uncomfortable, but being uncomfortable leads to growth.

If you’re on the verge of going car-free or car-lite you can do a number of things:

* Write down a list of your fears. Ask yourself, why you’re scared of being without a car. And if you went car-free, what is the worst thing that can happen?

* Don’t drive your car for a week and see how it feels. Go grocery shopping by bike, meet your friend at a coffee shop, and start taking notes on your observations.

* Connect with your local biking community in your neighborhood and online. Even if you don’t think your community has a local biking group, I’m sure they do. More and more grassroots biking organizations are popping up in towns across the country. Seek out your community and they will help you make the car-free or car-lite transition.

* If you don’t have a bike, buy or borrow one that fits. If you aren’t sure what kind of bike is right for you, ask for help from your biking community and you can always send me an email too.

* Look into alternative transportation options, like walking, riding the bus, or taking a light rail train.

Thanks Tammy for your answers and bravo for your book!

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Filed under: interview Tagué: | bicycle, book, car, tammy strobel