As I mentioned recently in Welcome To Paradise – We’re Living On A Sailboat!, we no longer keep our Jeep with us. Because we’re preparing to cruise and will be leaving the marina soon, we don’t need a land vehicle for everyday use.
Technically, we still own the Jeep, but it’s being stored at Wes’ parents’ house. We invested a lot of time and money to convert it into an overland vehicle ideal for off-grid exploration and spontaneous road trips. For now, though, it’s parked far away and we’re effectively carless.
Instead of driving, our main modes of transport will be a dinghy, folding bikes, and a lot of walking.
Some people might sympathize, but we’re genuinely excited about the change. It’s a novelty now, and while that may fade over time, we’re eager to embrace this different way of getting around.
I know driving everywhere is convenient—especially if you grew up or lived for years in a suburb where walking or biking wasn’t part of daily life. For many, driving becomes an automatic habit. But stepping back and considering life without a car can lead to some surprisingly positive changes.
Giving up—or simply reducing—car use can help you save money, move more, feel refreshed, and develop better habits. Below are several practical benefits of walking and biking more often.
Walking makes you think twice.
Cars make quick trips effortless. Without a vehicle, however, you’ll likely evaluate errands more carefully. If getting something from the store requires a longer trip by foot or bike—especially in hot weather—you’ll be more selective about what you actually need.
Carrying purchases home in a backpack or by hand limits impulse buys. How often do you go into a store for one item and leave with several bags? Without a car, that kind of splurge becomes much less likely. The need to physically transport items acts as a natural filter against unnecessary spending.
Even if you decide a purchase is worth the effort, knowing you’ll carry it home helps you prioritize and reduces wasteful or impulse shopping.
You can save money on transportation.
This benefit is obvious but important. Walking and biking cost far less than owning and operating a car. While a new bike can be pricey, it’s still considerably cheaper than buying and maintaining a vehicle. Bikes and walking don’t require insurance, licensing, or fuel—your main expenses are shoes, a bike, and a helmet.
If you can handle most of your local travel on foot or by bike, you can reduce or eliminate car insurance, fuel, and maintenance expenses. Given that the average family spends thousands a year on car-related costs, even partial shifts away from driving can yield meaningful savings.
Not everyone is ready to give up their vehicle entirely, and that’s understandable—cars serve important roles for some commutes and obligations. But you can start small: walk or bike for short trips, use rideshares for infrequent longer trips, or consider eliminating just one vehicle from a two-car household to test how it feels.
Walking can help you become healthier.
Only a minority of American adults meet recommended daily exercise targets, and sedentary lifestyles contribute to many long-term health problems. Incorporating walking or biking into daily routines is an easy and practical way to increase physical activity without requiring extra gym time.
Regular walking can help lower blood pressure, reduce body fat, and decrease the risk of heart disease, among other benefits. If you live close enough to your workplace, biking or walking to work is an efficient way to combine commuting with exercise. For those who can’t commute actively, using breaks or lunch hours for short walks still contributes to better physical and mental health.
You may increase your productivity.
It’s easy to tell yourself you don’t have time for exercise, but physical activity can actually boost productivity and creativity. Walking to work or taking a walk during the day refreshes the mind and can make you more effective when you return to tasks.
Personally, I find that being more active helps me get more done, not less. Even short walks or bike rides can clear your head and improve focus, making work time more productive.
Would you consider getting rid of your car? If not, are you open to walking or cycling at least occasionally?