I know you disapprove of my filling the Internet, but it is a fault I live with.
You and I disagree about the private car being a social menace. I may be wrong, but I hold it to be a good thing. I agree with you that it has extraordinary levels of reach and dominance in the real world. I agree too about nothing being comparable in terms of function; I think that is part of the attraction for me.
I accept the difference between cricket and motoring in terms of running things and people over. The analogy was a poor one, although in mitigation it was made with reference to your words about drivers being bored rather than any explicit mention of social menace.
I would be careful telling people (as you tell me) what they have or have not decided not to understand. I absolutely accept your view (the commonly held view) that it is a hegemony thing. On the public highway the motor vehicle holds sway. It does not have me 'in its spell' as you say it does. It is thoughtful of you to take the trouble to break the spell, but there is no spell to break. I am reminded of a religious friend who tried to persuade me that Christ loved me. It was lovely of him to try, but religion did not and does not fit my pistol. Nor does the 'Evil hegemony of the car' thing, but it is equally lovely of you to try.
I have never driven in fictional conditions, so I cannot argue about that either.
I have driven and continue to drive in the real world. I rather like it most of the time. I quite like it some of the time and there is the odd, rare instance when it is horrid.
People bringing up three children in rural market towns are welcome to eschew the motor car if they choose. I choose not to. I have found cars helpful. And often fun.
When (years ago) I was bringing up toddlers and babies in Central London, we travelled by bicycle, tube and bus. I didn't think the car wicked, just inappropriate in those conditions. In sat on the street, but was driven rarely.
I enjoy cycling too. And train travel. And aeroplanes. And sailing boats and ferries. And walking. Helicopters frighten me. I wish they didn't.