Welcome to Carless in Chicago, a companion blog and website to my book of the same name (available now from Lake Claremont Press). I’d like to start by talking a little bit about the purpose of this web site, and how it fits together with the book.
First of all, I’m passionate about this subject, and about the pedestrian, cycling, transit, and traffic issues that affect all Chicagoans, whether carless or not. This site will help me connect readers of the book and others to news articles and other resources around these topics.
Second, books are fixed objects. Old information will change, new developments will occur, and occasionally, I may discover that I’ve made a mistake. This site will act as a kind of ongoing coda to the book, which will also help inform future editions.
Third, there’s a lot more to say on this topic than could ever fit in a single guidebook. This site will give me the opportunity to get some of that good information out there for readers of the book and others.
Finally, of course, I hope this site will spur interest in the book itself, and serve as a place where I can talk a bit more about how I and why I wrote it for those who are interested. Once it’s released, you’ll be able to get copies directly from me at in-person events and online, and at local bookstores. In the meantime, it’s available for pre-order on Amazon.
I welcome your feedback. Feel free to leave comments on the blog posts to get conversation going, or email me at carlessinchicago@gmail.com. Thanks!
Hi Jason,
FYI. Our Twitter post today about your Carless in Chicago site–”Live and thrive in Chicago without a car–an essential website: http://www.carlessinchicago“–was our most re-Tweeted post ever (3 times)!
Sharon
Hi Jason,
Great concept! As an avid car-less golfer, I’ve designed a database of transit+walk routes from the Loop to over 60 golf courses in the Chicagoland area.
Taking transit to play golf is much better than driving because (1) you don’t fight rush hour traffic going both ways, (2) you can read or do sudokus while watching the scenery go by, (3) the walking portion warms you up for walking the course, and (4) you’re relaxed and not all tense by the time you get to the first tee.
I’ve tried to get my golfing partners to take transit with me but they just laugh, load their clubs into their trunks, and join the line of cars waiting to get onto the expressway. So I play a lot of golf by myself.
But since there are many conventioneers and others who are in Chicago without a car and would like to play golf, the next edition of your book should include a chapter on these transit-to-golf routes.
Have never even driven!!. Living in Chicago without a car is a blessing, no fighting traffic!!!