Giving up motorised transport in favour of biking it everywhere

[raleighnut]

Not really been on a Train much since they banned smoking, pretty sure the London-Sheffield express (stopping at Leicester/Loughborough/Derby/Chesterfield en route) was the last train with a smoking carriage (free Tea/Coffee too although I generally had a jar of coffee in my bag/rucksack cos the coffee was weak as ditchwater) I used this to get to the Derbyshire Dales* changing at Derby for the Matlock Train or Sheffield for the 'Trans-pennine' (the stopping version not the express) or up to my Parents in Knutsford changing again in Manchester for Knutsford.
This was back in the 'Midland Mainline' days though and Rail travel was pretty cheap (open return was the same price as a single)

* This was when I took the dog away as you can't really take a GSD on a bike and he wouldn't get into the trailer

 

[wafter]

Yep, rural living almost dictates having a car, or access to one. One of the cycling advocacy groups here was suggesting that everywhere within a 10-mile radius of Exeter was commutable by bike, to which my response was "Dunsford in the winter". It's only six miles out, but an almost impossible winter commute by bike, unless you want to die quickly.

Indeed; while winter commuting is rarely fun, dark, potholed, icy, national-speed-limit country lanes are a whole new ballgame.

By Britain's crap standards I'm pretty spoilt in Oxford when it comes to utility cycling

 

[ColinJ]

That's exactly the type of thing that puts me off train travel, overcrowding is my pet hate and I try to book in advance with set seats for long journeys.

I tried getting on a stupidly overcrowded train at Coventry once along with a group of Chinese students. We had seat reservations but couldn't even get onto the train!!

I have seen arguments when people refused to get out of seats reserved by other passengers.

I don't book seats because I don't like to restrict myself to specific travel times.

 

[ColinJ]

The trick with long distance train travel is senior rail card and book your seats in first class. Nice seats and you get wined and dined as part of the deal.

I have the rail card, but unfortunately I can't afford first class!

 

[wiggydiggy]

I tried getting on a stupidly overcrowded train at Coventry once along with a group of Chinese students. We had seat reservations but couldn't even get onto the train!!

I have seen arguments when people refused to get out of seats reserved by other passengers.

I don't book seats because I don't like to restrict myself to specific travel times.

It's a balancing act, keep the flexibility and not book a seat or do book one and be restricted to a single train.

Some operators are more flexible than others, TPE will let me book a seat but on an anytime ticket - there is a seat reserved for me on a train of my choice but I can change plans.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

I do have a driving license, but I have actually only driven for a few months 25 years ago.
I hate driving, also I don't think I'm very good at it, I used only public transport for many years.
About 15 years ago I had a job I really liked, but was poorly served by public transport so I started to cycle commute after seeing a colleague doing it.
It's great, but of course not suitable for everyone.
I wear a uniform at work, don't have to worry about looking perfectly made up, hair can be basic.
I can see that a person that needs to look impeccable at work could have problems cycle commuting in bad weather.
Adaptations: I must have 3 bikes in working order: a commuter, a back up in case the commuter is out of action, an ice bike with studded tyres for the icy mornings.
More powerful lights than if I were just leisure cycling, because then I wouldn't set out in the dark.
Loads of wet weather clothing, but then I'm an outdoor person anyway, I use my gear off the bike too, a couple of good sets of panniers for shopping, Ortliebs of course.
It's a lifestyle choice too: I chose to live in an area 4 miles outside town, with plenty of supermarkets/shops/my dentist/my GP/the local hospital walking or cycling distance.
When I got made redundant during the pandemic, I only applied for jobs I could cycle to.
There is also a good public transport network if one is inclined to do a big food shop with a shopping trolley instead of a car.
I get a free bus pass nowadays, but I mainly food shop small quantities with my bike, on my way back home from work.
For the big stuff there are the usual online outlets.
Social life? I don't really go out in the evenings now, but have done in the past, by bike, of course, as the city centre is only a half hour flat ride away.

if you're single or don't have any kids who rely on you for transport, it's not only doable but quite liberating

Indeed, that's me.
Before Covid I had 3 hospitality jobs on the go, all with unsociable hours/no public transport.
I used to cycle to them all, was able to accept shifts starting at 6am or finishing at 3am, great!

What I want to know is what has happened to all the money I should have saved?

Hehehe, it's a mystery!
Extra coffee and cake??

I think being carless depends on what transport you have in youe area and what your hobbys and interests you have.

Yes, and also on how hardened to the weather one is.
If you hate being wet or cold, or if you aren't very steady on your feet, even a short mile walk in winter could be off putting, then you end up a semi recluse, which is no good either.