I'm 20, starting uni in September. I have a car at the minute, costing me like £145 a month. I've probably spent about £900 on keeping it in good shape and running it well too - nothing irrational, just repairs and service. It's expensive. I also had a claim, so my insurance is going to be sky high for another few years.
I have this idea about going car free, which is essentially to give it to my mum. She has had car problems and isn't working so I'd be doing her a favour giving her the car which is well serviced and working order. But I'd still have access to it occasionally and be under her insurance policy on it.
I wouldn't have to pay Road Tax and at best I'd only need to add a little to servicing every so often, either way as time goes on I'll get more accustomed to cycling and the car will become 'less mine', that's one of the main purposes of this plan. Cycling. Going slightly more car free, saving money, and almost phasing out the car but not losing my investment or complete access to this mad car-requirement world.
Cycling would be how I commute. I'd be in uni 3 days per week, for around 3 hours at a time. The distance from my home to uni is about 8 miles and theres only hills on the return journey. After 2 miles, there is a good flat cycle path at the edge of a river. I cycle this maybe once or twice every fortnight now as a leisurely ride, some times easier than others. Mostly in good weather - though I have been caught in heavy showers, still never put me off completely.
People on CycleChat have already told me because I'm 20 and have no problems I should be able to cycle 14 miles like nothing in not very long. I'm aware that with the right, maybe even costly gear I can cope with the rain, I remember being stuck in a shower thinking "I feel warm. If only I had a waterproof jacket and not a big coat". I do enjoy cycling and this would give it a bit of purpose, my favourite cycling is utility and commuting. I'd rather read about how peoples commutes went than read about winners of cycling races etc.
In reality, people tell me its stupid: "you need a car" , "it's a step back like being at school, driving your parents car"...
To me, I want to save money, enjoy a hobby, not lose my investment in the car completely all the same..
Your thoughts,
cycle_buy