Oct 26, 2023
Despite the variety of ways to help the environment without dramatically changing your lifestyle, some take drastic measures and live car-free lives, taking eco-consciousness to the next level.
At Bolt, we’re working on solving the problem of cities relying too heavily on cars, making cities feel more like home, and preventing carmageddon.
That’s why we’re thrilled to see our team members embracing a car-free lifestyle, finding inventive and sustainable commuting methods, and reducing their carbon footprint.
Meet 4 inspiring Bolt employees who went car-free and became drivers of change.
Content Manager, Bolt Business
We’re told that owning a car offers freedom. But I believe true freedom is choosing how you travel depending on how you feel that day — even at the last minute.
I grew up in a typical two-car family in the UK but decided against getting my driving licence. After my driving lessons, I’d be covered in sweat. Despite that, I passed my theory test but realised I don’t have to learn to drive if it’s not for me. So I stopped the lessons.
Instead, he became an avid cyclist.
One day, I’ll cycle. Another day I’ll walk. And sometimes I’ll read a book on the tram or bus. It’s time that I can spend with my family by taking my daughter to kindergarten with my wife before continuing to the office and escaping with a book or podcast or getting some steps in.
By walking and cycling to places, our daughter’s navigation skills are incredible. That’s a benefit we’d never even considered before we saw it happening before our very eyes. She’s only four and always knows how to go — her sense of direction for such a young person blows me away!
Children have had to give up so much for adults to drive cars: the freedom to play outside their homes, breathe in clean air and walk or cycle to school without worrying about serious injury.
Until recently, I was convinced that creating more cycle lanes was the answer to all of our cities’ problems. But even when focusing only on switching people from cars to bikes, children still need to be careful — bikes are getting bigger (cargo) and faster (electric).
Ultimately, streets need to be places where children can play and people can hang out.
Regional Marketing Manager
Growing up in a small Estonian town of 5,000 people, my reliance on public transport shaped my perspective on owning a car. Wherever I needed to go, I could get there by foot or public transport, making a private vehicle seem unnecessary.
Now, I live in Tallinn, where proximity to everything — beaches, cafes, groceries, work, gym — makes a car-free lifestyle practical and appealing.
The Kalamaja neighbourhood of Tallinn embodies the concept of a 15-minute city. With all the essentials available within a short distance, I simply don’t have to spend any longer than 15 minutes to get anywhere.
Services like Bolt Market and Bolt Drive make a car-free life even more convenient. They’re transforming people’s attitudes toward car ownership, as the traditional need for a personal vehicle no longer binds them. This shift in habits is particularly evident in urban areas, especially in Kalamaja.
I think giving up cars should feel like shedding a heavy backpack: no more parking spot stress, no fees for almost everything. In Kalamaja, where parking is limited and pricey, many people ride bikes, preferring them to the pressure of owning a vehicle.
I feel fortunate to live this lifestyle and recognise that it may not suit everyone — especially people with children or who live in rural areas and have to travel long distances daily. However, as a city dweller, I see no advantages to owning a car.
I’ve heard of many cycling accidents, which made it difficult for me to go for it. Nevertheless, I got a proper helmet and a reliable bike and gradually became a cautious cycling advocate!
Although cars still dominate the streets of Tallinn, there’s a recognisable shift in commuting habits. With the help of the new voices in the city government advocating for better bicycle infrastructure and experience, the mode switch will go smoother.
As an avid cyclist, I’m excited to see what the future holds.
It’s critical to educate citizens about the potential of their cities to help the urban areas seamlessly blend safety, convenience and sustainability.
And that’s precisely what we do at Bolt. By launching initiatives like pocket parks or repurposing a car park into a dog park in the centre of Tallinn, we aim to educate people about the opportunities of community spaces.
Small actions can lead to significant transformations. The change is achievable and often inexpensive, relying on collective efforts rather than external funding.
Senior Product Manager
Before redirecting to tech, I worked for ten years in city planning as an Architect and Urban Designer.
I owned a nice car, but for a city-dweller like me, owning a vehicle began to make less and less sense, so I sold it. Two key factors influenced my decision — impact on the urban environment and cost.
At one point, I ran the numbers, and car-sharing services like Bolt Drive turned out to be much cheaper — notably as fuel prices continued to rise.
Walking around the city, you see so much space dedicated to cars that aren’t moving! How could we utilise that space more humanly and productively if those cars weren’t there?
As humans, the space we leave between buildings profoundly influences our urban experience — this is where city living happens. Our understanding of our cities could be much better if we dedicated much less space to vehicle-centric development, like roads and car parks.
Removing reliance on personal vehicles helps free up city space for more human-centric development and amenities, such as green space and cafes.
I commute 10-15 km daily, depending on whether or not I work from home. I use various transport modes to cover those distances, e.g. tram, bus, scooters, ride-hailing, and Bolt Drive.
One of the fundamental changes I noticed was walking to the store instead of driving. It’s only one kilometre, but with a car in the driveway, I tended to default to the path of most convenience.
Another significant difference was that I started using public transport again after around four years of driving a personal car. As a result, I have discovered more attractive streets, parks, and cafes around Tallinn — precisely the kind of chance urban encounters that make city living more fun!
Hardware Engineering Manager
See all those scooters and e-bikes out on the streets? I’m proud to say that my team designs and engineers them. And I also have a story about breaking up with my car.
I’d been considering getting rid of my car for a while. The four reasons that triggered my decision were:
👉 For the majority of the day, my car just sat idle in a car park;
👉 I have a tight schedule, and worrying about tyre changes, refuelling, maintenance, washing, and insurance just added unnecessary stress to my life;
👉 I calculated that I could save roughly 35% of my total commuting budget if I made the switch;
👉 I care about the environment. By ditching my car, my footprint became a lot smaller.
But I hesitated to make that choice — I often leave the city to go skiing or orienteering, and I needed a car for these activities. But the launch of Bolt Drive gave me a great alternative.
I live in Tallinn, Estonia. My method of getting around heavily depends on the season. I mostly use light electric vehicles from spring to autumn for my daily commute. During rush hour, driving to work can take 45 minutes, whereas commuting with a scooter or bike only takes up to 28 minutes.
During the winter, I mostly use Bolt Drive, and depending on the destination, I sometimes also use public transport.
Walking is also an option. I walk a lot more than I used to. When I had a car, it was so comfortable and easy to drive from point A to point B, even if the distance was only one kilometre. Now, I’m mostly walking distances below 1.5 km, and I enjoy it.
Just say go for it! I’ve never regretted my decision. So many better alternatives are available that are good for the budget, stress levels, and the city environment.
Reimagining the streets and making cities for people, not cars, is not easy, but exciting and meaningful!
If you thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment and share our mission, we want you to join our team!
We have hundreds of job openings, ranging from entry-level to top management positions, offering an exciting chance to make a difference in how millions commute.
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