No credit for me either but, I do appreciate that I am more fortunate than some, and for others it is 'to a certain extent' unavoidable to not have any credit at all (Single parent unable to work, paying off remainder of Student loans, needing a reliable car for long commute to work etc..) but, it is just being able to recognise what you 'need' from what you 'want'.. Please don't take my comments as being some sort of self righteous lecture as that is not my way, they are simply my own views/opinions being aired.. As for the businesses that sell the credit losing out. I doubt that, as there will be several different methods for piling on even more misery to those people already feeling pretty low as it is (repossession, court action, credit blacklisting..) and, they won't be losing any sleep over it I'm sure.
What do we think will happen to the bike market post lockdown?
- Thread starter DSK
- Start date
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15 years ago when I had a well paid job I was rocking around in £40,000 company cars, these days it’s just not a priority, but I understand why people like a fancy car, it’s a very nice experience.
Yes, I'm sure there are and they are sensible enough to know what they are getting into but, it's the others that I worry about who are perhaps too young and inexperienced to plan ahead for when times aren't going to be so good (such as now).
Oh yes, I do like those nice things too but, I just can't justify them these days.. Don't get me wrong, I was a 'Hot-Hatch' youth in the 80's myself
Trigger's broom.
ExpatTyke
Yorkshireman in Deepest Somerset
- Location
- Weston-super-Mare
The thing that really annoys me about car PCPs is the fact that a lot of people are being persuaded to hand over perfectly good cars on a scrappage deal to get onto a PCP that gets them into a car they won't own, as due to the monthly payment they won't be able to save for the final purchase charge, or towards another car.
So, when the car has to go back they'll almost certainly sign up for a new deal.
It's genius marketing that's made getting rid of a useable possession while paying for something you'll never own seem like a good thing.
It's also environmentally and financially insane, and is making a few people rich at the expense of a lot of people.
An additional benefit for the motor industry is that the scrappage schemes are causing a drop in the number of second hand cars at the lower end of the market, pushing up prices, which pushes more people towards a PCP.
Rant over - back to bikes. I suspect we'll see a lot of second hand bikes for sale in a few months. I've seen motor traffic steadily increasing over the last two weeks, and fewer people out on bikes. The poorer weather recently definitely has played a part, but I'm sure for a lot of people the novelty value has worn off.
Hopefully though quite a few people will have realised that a bike is a useful and enjoyable thing to own.
So, when the car has to go back they'll almost certainly sign up for a new deal.
It's genius marketing that's made getting rid of a useable possession while paying for something you'll never own seem like a good thing.
It's also environmentally and financially insane, and is making a few people rich at the expense of a lot of people.
An additional benefit for the motor industry is that the scrappage schemes are causing a drop in the number of second hand cars at the lower end of the market, pushing up prices, which pushes more people towards a PCP.
Rant over - back to bikes. I suspect we'll see a lot of second hand bikes for sale in a few months. I've seen motor traffic steadily increasing over the last two weeks, and fewer people out on bikes. The poorer weather recently definitely has played a part, but I'm sure for a lot of people the novelty value has worn off.
Hopefully though quite a few people will have realised that a bike is a useful and enjoyable thing to own.
roubaixtuesday
self serving virtue signaller
I was going to respond, but what's the point honestly. Particularly when preceded by
Obviously, only Brits do things right.
Something so well demonstrated by managing to get amongst the very worst outbreaks in the world.
You forgot all this creates a lot of jobs.
avecReynolds531
Veteran
- Location
- Small Island
Cycling was always important to me: more so in 1997 when I gave up the car. It's easy to adjust to commuting and shopping (and holidays) on 2 wheels. The bike becomes a way of life and there are many benefits. 23 years without running a car has been, for me, a fantastic decision.
Doe anyone else in your household have one? Do you have a bus service, do your kids do activities miles away from where you live.
avecReynolds531
Veteran
- Location
- Small Island
I acknowledge it's not feasible for everyone, particularly if people enjoy living in remote communities, or simply like their cars.
We're big fans of Dutch and Danish town planning, and of their bike cultures (from tots to great grandparents). What we've witnessed is that an environment can be created for citizens, in which the car is simply not necessary. Chris Boardman has made a great short film about Utrecht:
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zq28fU2AuMU
We don't run a car at all, and that means where we choose to live, work, activities & amenties are all considered within bike distances. It didn't feel difficult, or at all, a limitation. We also thought about local public transport options (there are bus & train services) before we moved here.
In very rare occasions, it's easy to call a taxi or hire a car if needed....
Aside from the devastation of coronavirus and it's future impact on cycling, it will be interesting to see how much Andy Burnham and Chris Boardman will be able to effect real change in Manchester, and then, if that will influence further positive opportunities for citizens throughout the UK. In the Netherlands and Denmark, the bike infrastructure was comprehensive to the point that it extended through to village level - not just cities and towns. I don't think that's impossible for us too.
One thing for certain, once you've cycled in Denmark and the Netherlands, you'll never feel the same about what we have (or put up with) here.
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OP
OP
DSK
Senior Member
That's a great video.
Sadly, the government get a lovely cut from the motorist by controlling them like sheep towards what cars to keeping buying, then penalising them a few years later and forcing them into other style of cars. Add on the fuel costs, cameras, etc and there's a lot of rich people profiting beautifully from the motorist.
I personally think that quieter roads show more people happier to cycle but, for it to continue, there needs to be change in general motorists attitude to cyclists and perhaps some infrastructure tweaks/changes before people on a wider scale feel happy/safe/confident to cycle.
Sadly, the government get a lovely cut from the motorist by controlling them like sheep towards what cars to keeping buying, then penalising them a few years later and forcing them into other style of cars. Add on the fuel costs, cameras, etc and there's a lot of rich people profiting beautifully from the motorist.
I personally think that quieter roads show more people happier to cycle but, for it to continue, there needs to be change in general motorists attitude to cyclists and perhaps some infrastructure tweaks/changes before people on a wider scale feel happy/safe/confident to cycle.
Because of the current situation the government a few weeks ago made it really simple to bring in traffic control orders.
Some LA acted within hours many others are bringing in stuff in too.
Cycling UK is running a campaign to get more LA to use them.
I contacted mine they basically came out with all the normal stuff blaming everyone else expect themselves.
In my reply ask straight questions to a few points I received no reply so I guess they have no plains to do anything.
Think it's more down to closed minds than not having any money.
Some LA acted within hours many others are bringing in stuff in too.
Cycling UK is running a campaign to get more LA to use them.
I contacted mine they basically came out with all the normal stuff blaming everyone else expect themselves.
In my reply ask straight questions to a few points I received no reply so I guess they have no plains to do anything.
Think it's more down to closed minds than not having any money.
SkipdiverJohn
Deplorable Brexiteer
- Location
- London
Remember the majority of the public are motorists, not cyclists, and any TRO that restricts motor vehicles is going to piss people off and lead to complaints to the local councillors/MP. Since those councillors and MP's want to get re-elected, they are not going to antagonise the local residents if a high proportion of them are drivers.
matticus
Guru
And yet some MPs/councillors DO choose the right thing, and risk antagonising selfish car-obsessives. So I choose to be optimistic that some will continue to do so - perhaps some drivers will have seen the light during these golden traffic-reduced days, and will come to thank the forward-thinking elected officials. It would cost you nothing to think the same
