Can you live without a car in the mountains? Yes, with planning and a few different bikes | Daniel Rayneau-Kirkhope and Arianna Casiraghi

toQuival is free of cars in a large city is somewhat common these days. Yes, this may mean some adaptation, but when many things are on the threshold of your house, they are not a big challenge. So what about cars -free life in a remote Italian mountainous village, barely with any public transportation?

We have been living in Italy’s countryside without a car for more than five years so far. Although we always loved bikes, the decision to sell our car was not a special decision.

Everything began with our fear of the climate crisis and environmental issues, which led us to draw A huge bike across the map of Europe A few years ago, trying to persuade people to use their cars a little lower.

We have succeeded in considering at least one, because we persuaded ourselves we can live without a car completely.

Previously, we had the VW Golf game that was very nice and reliable. As with most people, we used to rely on this for all types of basic and unnecessary trips: shopping, doctors ’dates, trips to the garden center or emptying, walking in the mountains-everything to a large extent.

We lived as a couple without a car before, but we were younger, we had no dog, and we lived in big cities. Now, we live in a small Italian village in the foothills of the Alps, where public transportation is about to exist and what cannot be relied upon.

Most of our extended family was against the idea, and perhaps with some justification. Biking In the countryside of Italy is not especially easy, as there is a few infrastructure for cycling and drivers who do not give bike passengers enough on the road. We were not (and we are still) in particular.

Even if it was fair to say that we sold the car without thinking about the consequences too much, there were early signs that this was not the most stupid thing we did.

Feeling of freedom and happiness on those first few trips was empowerment. We felt that we were able to stop allowing society to dictate what we had and what we did not do, at least in our transportation options.

Over time, we found that there is a car-free solution for almost every logistical problem, with a little planning-and some bikes. For grocery shopping, we use an electric charging bike – withdrawing 50 kg of heavy food without a engine will be enough to make a severe diet look attractive.

To take the dog for a picnic, we use a non -electric charging bike. You can reach the tracks very quickly, then the dog can walk while riding. For trips to Milan, Turin or Novara, a group of train, bus and bike folding well.

We have taken everything largely on our goods bicycles, from small olive trees and fertilizers to correct vegetables to kayak boats and construction supply. Trips to mountains are still difficult, though.

It often takes longer to go with a bike, but time can be saved with a little organization. Going to the bike gym means that you do not need to warm up as soon as you arrive. Mobility and exercise at the same time is definitely saving time.

If the dog is able to come to where you are going and are not very narrow for time, you can walk on a way and walk on the dog on the way. The shopping takes longer, but the parking lots are never a problem.

As expected, we are now more tried than we were and provided money, but there were other benefits that we have never expected.

Cycling everywhere improved our social life, as speeds of up to 15 miles per hour are social. People can say welcome and we feel like we are part of a society. There is nothing like a good bike to help you wipe your thoughts and feel psychological.

Simple trips, even the most dull tasks, have become more adventurous and enjoyable. We get to the garden near the entrance wherever we are, quietly satisfied – some may say arrogant – that we did not bring the car.

We are not planning to get another car yet. But if anyone is heading to the mountains, we will love the elevator.