Stay tuned over the next couple weeks as we feature Car Traders of Tour de Fat past. CHIRP Radio is partnered with New Belgium Brewery for the 2015 Tour de Fat celebration in Palmer Square on Saturday, July 11.

CHIRP: Where do you currently live and what are you doing these days?

Bushnell: I'm living in the suburb of Elmhurst and I'm working as a web developer for a company in Glenview

CHIRP: Why did you take the challenge to give up your car? 

Bushnell: A few years ago, gas prices were spiking and as I was standing at a gas pump watching hours of my life tick away with each gallon going into the car, I thought that there must be a better way. It sparked me to think about my commute differently, not driving my commute as a necessary, but a choice I was making everything morning. I saved up a bit, bought a relatively inexpensive bike since that's all I could afford at the time, and started commuting by bike. After a couple months of intermittent bike commuting, I was loving it, but my bike wasn't up to the challenge. I decided that the commuting by bike was something that I really wanted to do, but it was going to be all or nothing for me. So I threw my hat in the ring for the car trade, and was lucky enough to be selected. I traded the car, bought a new, more durable bike, and some accessories to make the commute easier and more feasible despite whatever weather may come out way. The rest is, shall we say, history.

CHIRP: What kinds of adjustments did you have to make to your life and daily routines? 

Bushnell: My daily routine changed slightly. I ended up leaving about 15 minutes earlier than before to get to work, and got home about 15 minutes later. On the upside, I got a workout in every day, and it only took that little bit of extra commute time. It also required me to wear athletic clothing when I commuted, so I carried a change of clothes, deodorant, and a pack of baby wipes when I commuted. When I arrived at work, I would wipe down with baby wipes and change into much fresher clothing while hanging up my workout clothes to dry before the commute home. Minor changes, but nothing I wouldn't do if I did my workout before work anyways.

It really changed gradually later as the temperatures dropped. Slowly adding more layers, and swapping out fingerless gloves for full finger insulated gloves. The biggest surprise was by my coworkers who lamented their commute every morning and resented my smile as I walked in with ice on my beard surrounding the big grin on my face. It became a badge of honor and I never questioned whether or not to so it every morning, it was a given. The chill in the winter woke me up in the morning, and felt refreshing after a long day of sitting in stagnant, warm air in the office.

CHIRP: Would you say you’re still fairly committed to commuting by bike?

Bushnell: I would say that I WAS fairly committed to biking. After the car trade, I kept commuting by bike continuously for about 18 months, until I had to find new work, and the commute became impossible by bike. I mourned it. I had lost the fresh air, the exercise, and the pride in overcoming adversary when the weather made others cower in fear as the grass got a powder coating of white. I started to find how much more enjoyable it was to bike places rather than drive, outside of commuting.

Bill Bushnell's entry video

CHIRP: How has living without a car changed you? 

Bushnell: Living without a car for the 18 months made me really appreciate living close to a bike trail. I am a couple blocks away from the Prairie Path, and I didn't previously appreciate how extensive it was and how much it connected me to. The fresh air and quiet of biking was a welcome addition to my life. However stressful work was, I could look forward to the relative calm of my commute home. Not to say that there weren't cars and traffic around me, but I wasn't listening to whatever was on the radio, or the sound of an engine in front of me. I could listen to my own thoughts, the wind past my face, and the sound of rubber on road.

CHIRP: What do you feel are the biggest benefits of the lifestyle change you made?

Bushnell: Commuting by bike made me really appreciate the bicycle as a means for transportation as well as a way to stay in shape. I had been developing a beer belly since high school, and it was nice to see it actually start to shrink while my legs became more toned and defined. I started taking every opportunity to spend time outside and on two wheels. After my daughter was born, my wife and I found a bike trailer so we could take her with us. She benefitted from the cycling as well, as she started biking with me on errands rather than driving her commuter car. Her health started to benefit alongside mine.

CHIRP: How can your town, your state, and/or society in general make bicycling more attractive to other people?

Bushnell: One thing I discovered as I tried to move around was how difficult it was to get from point A to point B if certain roads were in the way. Bordering the West side of Elmhurst is Route 83 (Kingery Highway). If you are in the wrong spot along the road and need to get to the other side, you can either travel a mile or more to the Prairie Park and take the bridge, or you can risk taking larger, bike unfriendly roads like North Ave or Lake St. That's just one example of a troublesome road, but I know that there are many more like it in my area and others. A little planning when building a road, or improving on an existing one can make a huge difference in the long run. Bicycle infrastructure is relatively small compared to car infrastructure. It is cheaper to build, maintain, and sees magnitudes less stress than a single truck does to a road. I am very fortunate to live near some excellent bicycle infrastructure, but trips were usually planned, or destinations changed, based on what was in between.

The city of Chicago has made incredible improvements on some major roads by adding bike lanes and protected bike lanes. Not only does it protect the cyclists on that road, but it invites additional cyclists who would have taken parallel roads to enjoy a less stressful and safer trip.

CHIRP: What would be your advice for the next person who is going to take up New Belgium's offer?

Bushnell: My advice for the next person is to really embrace the choice. It may be a little difficult at first, and there will be stumbling blocks along the way, but it will get easier and more enjoyable. Tap into your local resources, such as bicycle shops and bicycle communities. There is a wealth of information and experience that the community is eager to share. Learn from others how to layer for any weather, what routes are best, and how much fun you are about to experience. I hope that they enjoy it half as much as I do!

Are you thinking you're the 2015 Car For Bike trader? Entries are due Wednesday, July 8. Click here for details!