by writer Beth Macy.
‘excellent, excellent story!
“New additions to the Car Less Brit Experiment
Yesterday, I attended the preview of the Car Less Brit Museum, a funky ode to bike culture and the Car Less Brit himself in the old Angler’s Cafe space in downtown Roanoke. River says that the material inside reflects only a third of what will be there when the museum opens in three weeks, though it was an impressive third.
One of my favorites was a strip of sheet metal that ran along the base of the north wall, upon which was stenciled some of the critical comments River had received in the forums of a WDBJ7 story on the Car Less Roanoke party (”River is too skinny for US women” was one of the best).
In the context of all that River has achieved in the experiment, and what a cool endeavor the museum is and testament to some of the creative things Roanoke can foster, the comments were hilariously bitter.
Perhaps most exciting was a new addition to the Car Less Brit Experiment – Chris Howell, who is going Car Free With Kids. A teacher at Northside and mother of two who lives in Old Southwest she, like River, has vowed to go carless for six months. She’s already registered with RIDE Solutions for the Guaranteed Ride Home program (which I encourage you to do if you’re already car-lite or thinking of going carless yourself), and has started her own blog, http://roanokecarfreewithkids.wordpress.com/. Also like River, she’s hoping to show that an “ordinary person” (her description) can live without a car without extraordinary effort. We’ll be following her closely, of course.”
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posted on facebook by Jeremy Holmes, of RIDE Solutions, June 11, 2009.
‘a great summing up the Car Less Brit Experiment so far, leading in to the new era with the addition of Chris Howell joining the experiment and the opening of the Car Less Brit Museum.
I am a joyful 40 (!)-year-old mother of 2 girls, a happy wife, an English teacher, and a bicycle lover. With the support of my terrific husband, family, and friends, I am embarking on a 6-month journey to live well using alternative means of transportation in our small town of Roanoke, Va. My girls are going along for the ride! Join me!
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the about me page in Chris Howell’s blog Roanoke Car Free with Kids
Chris has just started a 6 month experiment living without a car in Roanoke, joining me for my second 6 month joy ride!
at the Car Less Brit Museum press conference & pre-opening event I met Christine Howell for the first time.
Chris had contacted me back around mid May, soon after I had posted to see if anyone was interested in joining me for another 6 months of carlessness.
We chatted on the phone a couple of times after that to discuss the details and rules (flexible though they are!) of the experiment. She said she’d get back with me about her decision.
Very shortly after this I got an email from Chris, dated May 23:
“I’m in! If you’re still looking for someone, and even if you aren’t, I’m gonna go 6 months car free with kids on a local basis beginning June 10th (sooner if I can). I’m still allowing myself destination car usage for trips over 30 miles (the lake, outta state, etc.), but for commuting, day care drop offs, and local activities & errands, I’ll be on bike or foot, with tots. Thank you for your inspiration.”
—Christine Howell
This sounded like one determined car less experimenter!
She agreed to keep her decision to herself until the June 10 Car Less Brit Museum press conference and pre-opening event. At the press conference she made public her plans and officially started her 6 month carless experiment!
And guess what? Chris has a job, is married, and has 2 young kids who will be joining her in the experiment. Chris gives the experiment legitimacy!
The critics who attempt to minimize the usefulness of this experiment by saying such nonsense as “well, Car Less Brit is single” “Car Less Brit has no children” “Car Less Brit is irresponsible” are silenced. hehe!
Chris is starting a blog to track her experiences with her carless experiment, Roanoke Car Free With Kids. Do check it out and follow her pleasures and tough times of living the carless life!