{image1}With the cost of gas rollercoastering, throngs of Milwaukeeans have threatened to ditch their cars, but a few actually have.

Bill Sell, who owns a home in Bay View and a business downtown, gave up his auto in September.

"I wanted to see if I could live without one and I wanted to take myself out of the oil-war cycle," says Sell, 65. "If our young people go into harm's way for oil, I can do some little bit here to bring them home."

Sell, who originally sold his vehicle as a one-year experiment, says it's been easier than he expected and he plans to continue having a zero-car household. Although he expected to rent a car twice a month, he has rented only twice in the past eight months.

Plus, he says, the health benefits are immediate.

Andrew Fisher, a 26-year-old recruiter who lives on the East Side, chose not to own a car and he appreciates the health benefits as well.

"I gave up my car about four years ago when I joined the Peace Corps. When I returned to the States, I couldn't afford one. I'm settled in now, and I probably could afford one, but why?" says Fisher. "It (biking) lets me enjoy the important things in life -- cookies -- without paying the obesity price."

Although both men are committed to living car-free, Sell and Fisher live by opposing road rules. Sell, who always wears a helmet, says since there aren't brain transplants, he's keeping his melon protected.

But Fisher feels differently. "Usually I feel like I don't have to follow the rules. It's immature of me, but it's great. Red lights are optional. Parking is abundant. Curbs are a nuisance."

Although Ernesto Martinez-Ordaz owns a vehicle, he bikes to and from work almost every day. Not a big deal for some people, but for Martinez-Ordaz, it means trekking 30-miles each way, from his home in Hartland to the Third Ward where he works as a marketing consultant and translator.

"We own just one car, a 2003 Jeep Liberty," he says. "We were expecting our first child, and the Liberty fits our needs. It's the local grocery getter for my wife, errand runner for diapers and other things."

Fisher admits to missing a car for those "other things."

"I don't mind the grocery store walk, but the laundry walk kills me. If I had more of the habits of highly effective people, I would probably do my laundry more often. But I don't so I don't," he says.

Sell dealt with the grocery shopping issue by joining a wine-of-the-month club so he wouldn't have to transport bottles in a backpack, and living near a neighborhood grocery store is also a big help.

"Groppi's food store completely delighted me by re-opening immediately after I gave up my car," he says.

Although Martinez-Ordaz owns a vehicle, he is more of a purist when it comes to fancy cycles. Whereas Sell owns a 21-speed and Fisher owns a five-speed, Martinez-Ordaz owns single-speed bikes.

"With the proper gear ratios, I can ride faster then someone on a 'regular' bike," says Martinez-Ordaz, 30.

All three cyclists have invested in the proper attire to battle the elements while winter riding.

"I dress warmly and complain. I think it's what every winter biker does," says Fisher.

Milwaukee has traveled some distance toward becoming a more bike-friendly town, but compared to other cities, still has a way to go.

"The Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin has worked intensely here. The coordinator, David Schlabowske, was probably born with a tire pump in one hand. We are working all over the city to continue education of drivers," says Sell, who is a member of the Bike The Hoan Coalition, a group of bicyclists dedicated to keeping the Hoan bike path alive.

On the flipside, however, Sell says there is some prejudice against cyclists.

"I think talk radio panders to an audience that is afraid of the bicyclist, making us like 'outsiders' or, without a car, less than American," he says.

Although giving up a car is a major sacrifice in some ways, Sell has reaped the benefits from relying on other forms of transportation.

"Bus riders are very interesting people. I met a beautiful woman from Sao Paulo. Life is good," he says.

Bike The Hoan's Web site is bikethehoan.com.