SO LIFE IN L.A. DEPENDS ON A CAR? HARDY SOULS PROVE IT JUST AIN'T SO.

Byline: Sue Doyle

Staff Writer

In a city obsessed with the automobile, living in Los Angeles without one -- on purpose -- seems unthinkable, unreasonable, maybe even a little nuts.

But with the days of low-cost gas gone and no national alternative-fuel plan at hand, living car-free is one way some Americans pursue their own energy plans to help save money.

Globally, a car-free movement is afoot to shrink dependence on automobiles and create places where vehicles are unnecessary.

Locally, however, the car-free idea breezes into Los Angeles on Earth Day and other environmental days and floats out 24 hours later. Some say the county's public transportation system is too limited to make living without a car possible.

But some from all walks of life are deliberately living car-free in Los Angeles and have no regrets about their lifestyle change. They shared their stories with the Daily News.

See A3 for their stories

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

(color) Bob Pierce of Chatsworth, known to friends as Bicycle Bob, pedals to meet his car-using lunch bunch at a restaurant where he tips a valet to park his bike. The 54-year-old metal buyer began living car-free four years ago.

John McCoy/Staff Photographer