Living Without a Car in a Car-Centric Country: What is True Independence?

Growing up in a middle-sized city in Ukraine and Orlando suburbs’, I often heard that owning a car is synonymous with independence and success. Starting from the toys my parents gave me as I was a kid to teenager age when all the guys only do that talk what new brakes they should get. Having a car is an integrated world and cultural belief that creates a kind of ruler to measure one's autonomy. But is the possession of a car truly the marker of freedom, or is it time to redefine what it means to be truly independent?

The popular narrative often links car ownership with financial stability and social status. The car symbolizes freedom to move, to explore the world, and to navigate life's pathways effortlessly. Yet, created within this guess is a subtle bias, an idea that those without cars are somehow lacking, financially incapable, or unable to partake in the freedom that society considers essential. Since I turned 18, I have met the pressure in a car-centric society in my skepticism towards sustainability and the trends that the United States faced after World War 2. That pressure comes from believing, “If you do not own a car, you cannot be in a relationship.” Some people think, “That person just probably does not have money.” or “How can you live without an automobile in America?”

However, let's change the perspective. What if the true measure of independence lies not in the ownership of a car but in the accessibility and functionality of a city? An especially salient problem in America. Sidewalks are usually built as a requirement by law for businesses when they build their place. This makes them not care about the safety of the pedestrians, not even adding trees or any type of barrier to save people's lives. When I was in high school, I relied on public transportation every day, but it dropped me off about 0.6 miles away from school – on just a narrow grass area along the county road. I felt like a Noe from The Matrix, “I take the blue pill (walking on the morning lawn) – my shoes are wet, I come to school and believe whatever I want to believe. I take the red pill (road) - I getting hit by a car and see how deep the rabbit hole goes.” The whole situation could be avoided by at least smarter transit planning.

A bus stop similar to that near the high school.

What I am trying to say is that if we don’t advocate for better, the metropolises will become more and more dependent on cars, creating tons of new roads that might have 6 lanes, highways, and sprawls. The active and alive cities are the epicenters of culture, connection, innovation, and diversity. However, many urban landscapes have been designed primarily around cars and for cars only, leaving pedestrians at the periphery.

Amsterdam. One of the most pedstrian friendly cities in terms of world. 

Imagine an area where walking isn't just a mode of transportation but an activity to get pleasure. People riding bicycles moving swiftly, communal electric shuttles transporting citizens to their destinations, streets covered with vibrant murals and stickers, sculptures, and interactive installations that motivate citizens to explore their surroundings. Instead of car-centric infrastructure, there are fancy, smart-design sidewalks with vibrant cafes, community gardens, and pop-up markets, fostering a sense of belonging and interaction.

Each step in this realm becomes a conscious choice, an act of exploration and connection. Public squares aren't merely intersections for cars; they're vibrant gathering spaces where happening different performances, cultural celebrations, and community events uniting people who live there.

This realization motivated me to give up the car, preferring public transport, bicycle, and walking. Despite living in a country with supreme car culture, I decided to prove that transit transportation is not an alternative mode of commuting; it may be a primary and impactful step towards environment. I began by searching bus schedules and routes in Google Maps. After a while, I remembered all of them, and now I can move freely through the streets.

Me waiting for a bus :)

Regarding the narratives, I’ve been in a relationship and managed just fine without a car. Yes, I’m not rich and more likely to be lower class because of my life situation, but that’s not the reason I choose not to own one. Having a car doesn’t define my or your independence or success. If we can change that in our cities, the next generations will say thank you.

In conclusion, true autonomy isn't solely a car possessing, it also can be anything from accessibility and design of our cities. Thinking about walkability, different transportation options, reimagining urban spaces as pedestrian-friendly, and building around-us havens are essential for redefining what it means to be truly independent in the modern world.