Anyone Ditched their Car Completely for a Bike?
- Thread starter itaa
- Start date
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Slick
Guru
Nightmare. I must admit, I have considered giving up commuting before something similar happens to me. Other times I give myself a shake until the next time some driver wants the space I'm already occupying. It's certainly not worth 8 months off work.
I ditched the only car I've ever had back in 1975 and have never regretted it. I've always worked within walking or cycling distance of home (I currently work at home on computer stuff, so I'm in the fortunate position of working at a not-even-having-to-get-out-of-bed distance), though it's been tough on past occasions when having to cycle through driving winter rain to get to work.
Shopping? Just get Asco/Tescadidl/whoever to deliver.
Alan
Shopping? Just get Asco/Tescadidl/whoever to deliver.
Alan
Tin Pot
Guru
Buy a car. You're in for a surprise. Things have moved on a bit since the Morris Marina.
They work, for a start.
Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
And they bleed you dry financially like they always did.
Tin Pot
Guru
That's always gonna be true, and why I didn't get one until I needed it.
Not really. They promise freedom and deliver dependency.
Tin Pot
Guru
Slick
Guru
We're back to Nicola Sturgeon again.
Flick of the Elbow
Guru
- Location
- Edinburgh
Mine promised me convenience and delivered just that.
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
I ditched the car completely when it was still only at the concept stage. I am now 61, have never driven, and never will.
As long as you don't choose to live somewhere without reasonable public transport and beyond sensible cycling range of where you need to get to, then you do not need a car. Wanting one is a different matter ...
I accept that I often can't be spontaneous. Things need planning. For example, I want to organise a forum ride taking in Great Dun Fell but it will probably involve at least 2 trains for me each way. I am spending quite a lot of time looking for the best fares and minimising connections.
As a non-driver you need to adopt a different mindset. My niece offered to drive down to pick me up from the station on arriving in Coventry for a family gathering. I told her that I could walk it in 25 minutes and it was dry, so no need to use the car. She thinks like a driver, I live like a non-driver.
I know people who have given up owning cars, but who hire them a few times a year when driving seems the best option. I know others who gave up driving altogether because modern traffic levels were stressing them out.
As long as you don't choose to live somewhere without reasonable public transport and beyond sensible cycling range of where you need to get to, then you do not need a car. Wanting one is a different matter ...
I accept that I often can't be spontaneous. Things need planning. For example, I want to organise a forum ride taking in Great Dun Fell but it will probably involve at least 2 trains for me each way. I am spending quite a lot of time looking for the best fares and minimising connections.
As a non-driver you need to adopt a different mindset. My niece offered to drive down to pick me up from the station on arriving in Coventry for a family gathering. I told her that I could walk it in 25 minutes and it was dry, so no need to use the car. She thinks like a driver, I live like a non-driver.
I know people who have given up owning cars, but who hire them a few times a year when driving seems the best option. I know others who gave up driving altogether because modern traffic levels were stressing them out.
Haitch
Flim Flormally
- Location
- Netherlands
Pale Rider
Legendary Member
No doubt she keeps on buying cars until she gets the one she wants.
subaqua
What’s the point
- Location
- Leytonstone
Mine only gets used once in a blue moon. sits outside the house quietly losing value. am i bovvered. no not one bit.
when i need to use it its there. like travelling to plymouth for a dive trip weekend. that is really not doable on public transport and the logistics of trying to hire a car to do it is just bonkers. i tried it twice to see if i could.
it was also handy when we needed to do the 1am dash to N wales when wifes dad was at deaths door. that was a non starter by bike or train
when i need to use it its there. like travelling to plymouth for a dive trip weekend. that is really not doable on public transport and the logistics of trying to hire a car to do it is just bonkers. i tried it twice to see if i could.
it was also handy when we needed to do the 1am dash to N wales when wifes dad was at deaths door. that was a non starter by bike or train
