A Day in the Life of a Car-Free Brisbane Resident
Callum Aitken, a 26-year-old lawyer based in inner-Brisbane, has carved out a lifestyle that is both practical and sustainable. On a typical weekday, he starts his day by waking up, getting ready for work, and heading to a bus stop in the suburb of Windsor. From there, he takes a bus to his city-based job. After finishing work, he visits a grocery store in the Central Business District (CBD) before catching another bus home. His day concludes with a walk to the train station, followed by a trip to his favorite bouldering gym, and finally a train ride back to his home.
While this routine might seem ordinary, what makes Callum’s lifestyle unique is that he lives completely without a car. He explained that the decision to go car-free came after he realized the increasing costs of maintaining a vehicle, including servicing, registration, and fuel. The introduction of the 50 cent fares on public transport was the final push that made it feasible for him to give up his car.
“I had a car, but it was becoming more expensive to service it, pay rego and everything,” he said. “The introduction of the 50 cent fares was the kicker that made [going car-free] possible.”
Callum also emphasized the financial and mental benefits of not owning a car. “It’s nice to not have to be in a car, worry about parking fees, or refueling. You can just plan where you need to be, get to the bus at the right time, and be on your way.”
However, he acknowledged that not everyone in Brisbane can live car-free, especially those with children or individuals living far from public transport. “I play football on the weekend, so that’s been a bit of a challenge,” he said. “I need people to pick me up from a train station or a bus stop that’s within close distance of the ground.”
The Privilege of Being Car-Free
A recent study conducted by the University of Queensland explored the feasibility of going car-free in Brisbane. The research involved 10 car-dependent residents who attempted to live without cars for 20 days. The findings revealed that while going car-free entirely may not be realistic for most, participants did reduce their reliance on cars during the period.
Associate Professor Dorina Pojani, one of the study’s co-authors, highlighted that living car-free is often a privilege. “We live in a particular kind of dystopia where in the past, living car-free was associated with poverty, whereas now, it’s almost a privilege to be able to choose to be car-free,” she said.
Despite the challenges, Dr. Pojani pointed out the health and financial benefits of a car-free lifestyle. “I feel like I’m doing something good for society. I’m not adding one extra car on the road, which adds congestion for everyone else who needs to drive more than I do.”
The study, published in March in the journal Transportation, found that participants saved an average of $300 over the 20-day period. However, Dr. Pojani admitted that going car-free comes with sacrifices. “For me, it limited mobility. I’ve made decisions like if a product or a service isn’t available in my suburb, I just don’t need to have it.”
The Freedoms of Car Ownership
Evie Morris-Newell, a part-time marketing professional, has lived car-free for most of her nearly five years in Brisbane. However, she recently purchased a car, citing the spontaneity it offered. “It was more about the spontaneity having a car gave me,” she said. “Being able to go places early in the morning or late at night without worrying about running to a timetable.”
Her daily routine includes a short walk to a high-frequency bus stop in Carina, a 25-minute bus ride to the State Library for work, and a return trip home. Despite owning a car, the rising costs of fuel, insurance, and registration have led her to use it only twice in two weeks. “It does make you question, is it worth it?” she said.
The Future Is Car-Free
Brisbane’s “wheel and spoke” public transport design means that living without a car is not always possible. “There are train lines that go from the suburb to the CBD, but connections from suburb to suburb are not nearly as good,” Dr. Pojani said.
However, she remains optimistic about the future. “How much more could we achieve if we provided people with better public transport than we have at present, or if we provided them with financial incentives to use bike share or e-scooter share?” she asked.
Dr. Pojani pointed to European cities that have successfully implemented car-free initiatives. “If we wanted, we could emulate those.” She concluded, “As far as the way forward, I think the future is car-free.”
