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Getting rid of your car is one of the biggest changes you could make in your life to reduce your environmental footprint (and possibly save money and become healthier). Even if you don't get rid of it completely, there are many things you could do to reduce the number of miles you drive in a year dramatically. Here are various tips to get there. For more information on each, just follow the links!
Walk
Depending on where you live, how easy it is to walk to get around might vary from extremely easy to extremely hard (for example, 12.5 percent of Bostonians walk to work regularly, but that number probably is much lower in most sprawling suburbs). so there is no one-size-fits-all tip here, except maybe that you should consider living close to the things you need (work, family, friends, entertainment, stores, etc).
For more on walking, see:
8 Walking Tips
More Reasons to Walk to Work
Walk 30 Minutes Every Day: Save the Planet, Lose Weight
Bike
Like walking, using your bike for transportation will probably be much easier if you live in a bike-friendly place. But cycling offers you many advantages over walking, such as a much faster speed and the option of getting an electric-bike to help you with hills and longer commutes (they haven't invented electric-assist legs for walking yet, but you can always take the bus). The health benefits of biking are undeniable, though you must always stay safety conscious (some places have much safer bike routes than other— hopefully North-America will get better with time).
For more on biking:
Why You Must Bike; Plus, How to Make it Convenient and Enjoyable
Commute to Work by Bike
Public Transit
Everybody knows about public transit, but few people realize just how many upsides it can have. In these tough economic times, it is particularly interesting to learn that, on average, taking public transit could save you $7,000+ per year. It can also be combined with some walking to go further yet and get the health benefits.
Car Pooling
Car pooling can be the highlight of your day, if you can do it with friends, and it can also decrease your stress level significantly if it is an alternative to being stuck in dreadful rush hour traffic alone. It's really a win-win-win: You pollute less, you save money (on gas, car maintenance, etc), and you have people to talk to during your commute. But even if you don't have friends to share a car pool with, thanks to the Internet you can find car pool buddies anyway.
Here are some car pooling tips:
6 Carpool Tips You Need to Know
Find Carpool Buddies More Easily with PickupPal
Which Internet Carpool Service is Right for You?
Taxi Money Jar or Car Sharing
If getting rid of your car makes you anxious, consider having a safety net like a taxi money jar (you simply put money aside in case you ever need to call a taxi—even if it happens a few times a year or a month, it will still be much cheaper than owning a car). Or you can also sign up with a car-sharing service it one is available where you live, so you always have a backup plan and only pay when you use it. Anything that gives you peace of mind will help the transition to a car-free or almost-car-free life!
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