Giving up the car to become a cyclist?

passatrider

I'm wondering whether anyone else has given up their car completely and turned to two wheels?

I've recently aquired a new bike and love the freedom it gives me aswell as saving me money and keeping fit. All well and good in the summer but not so good when it rains, as it does frequently in the uk.

Iam not working at the moment due to health problems so have little use for my car, but am reluctant to sell it although I could do with the money.

I'd be interested in other peoples experiences and/or advice?:)

TiTheRev

Did it about 2years ago. I am fitter, and enjoy the ride into work every day, rain or shine! Ive bought a few quids worth of kit to enable a waterproof journey, but can happily ride most places now and i've saved myself insurance/road tax and running costs for those two years which is a fair few quid too

Hammyman

Not much fun trying to get the weekly shop for a family of 4 back home, especially when raining.

sebdangerfield

I use a trailer for the shop, waitrose even rent them or sell them when they're past their best.

I've gone back to cars but more as a hobby now I can afford what I want and just use the bike for commuting to work and short trips. On the bikeradarwebsite theres a thread about how many times it actually rains on people's commutes and its quite suprising how little it really rains.

Just have a go, worst happens, just buy another car.

lucylucky

Would love to but as I travel a lot and have to carry gear totally impractical.

I still enjoy cycling tho - for pleasure

TiTheRev

I still have a car as back up, but everyday travel and my commute is bike now. I also use the bikeradar forums, you can find out a lot there!

passatrider

Hammyman wrote: »

Not much fun trying to get the weekly shop for a family of 4 back home, especially when raining.

I don't have any kids so not a problem for me!;)

Andy_L

passatrider wrote: »

Iam not working at the moment due to health problems so have little use for my car, but am reluctant to sell it although I could do with the money.

I'd be interested in other peoples experiences and/or advice?:)

Not paying the fixed costs of having a car (tax, MOT, insurance, depreciation, capital loss ie everything except fuel & maintaince) can pay for a lot of taxis/hire cars.

Billy-no-Money

Go for it - getting rid of those fixed costs is liberating. Suddenly if you need to go on a journey you have a choice - bike, bus, train, taxi, hire car etc. If you own a car it seems a waste to then use the train.

You lose some convenience, but that tends to be important for short journeys - where cycling is just as good or better.

Personally I now have a pushbike and a motorbike, and the freedom of never being stuck in a traffic jam nor having to search for a parking space is great.

joolsybools

Yes, no more traffic jams, lovely jubbly! Cycle chat is quite a good forum too if you are interested in a more specialised forum. Enjoy whatever you decide.

ETA: just re-read your post, I would defo sell in your position. Maybe keep some of the cash aside so you have something should you decide you want to get another car once you are working agian. I doubt it though!

I'm interest to know what part of the country you are in?

passatrider

joolsybools wrote: »

Yes, no more traffic jams, lovely jubbly! Cycle chat is quite a good forum too if you are interested in a more specialised forum. Enjoy whatever you decide.

ETA: just re-read your post, I would defo sell in your position. Maybe keep some of the cash aside so you have something should you decide you want to get another car once you are working agian. I doubt it though!

I'm interest to know what part of the country you are in?

Thanks for your response! My car's only worth about £700 so once it's gone probably won't get another one anyhow.

Iam in the West Wiltshire area, close to canals Bath/Bristol