Giving up the car to become a cyclist?

joolsybools

Nice area to ride!

dacouch

I ride past the Houses of Parliment on my way to work, I never get bored of seeing it, what a lovely bike ride especially in this weather

kje_2

Gave up my car 15 years ago and don't miss it. I cycle, walk and use the train. If I have a real need for a car or van then I can hire one for a few days. If you need to do a big shop then do it online and pay £5 for delivery.

Strider590

I used to cycle, but I got sick of the abuse from car drivers....

Opening their doors into me for overtaking them in traffic.
Parking in cycle lanes.
Shouting "get some f*cking road tax, or get off the road!" at me (ironic when some cars don't even have to pay).
Shouting general abuse.
Squirting washer fluid at me through "comically positioned" washer jets.
Hitting my handlebars with wing mirrors as they squeeze past (only to get stuck in traffic).
Pulling out of junctions in front of me.
Turning left and cutting me up.
Forcing me off the wrong exit at traffic islands.
Spitting at me.
Throwing rubbish at me (half empty McDonalds milkshake).

Perhaps ive been unlucky, perhaps things are nowhere near as bad as they were 10 years ago?

TiTheRev

Strider590 wrote: »

I used to cycle, but I got sick of the abuse from car drivers....

Opening their doors into me for overtaking them in traffic.
Parking in cycle lanes.
Shouting "get some f*cking road tax, or get off the road!" at me (ironic when some cars don't even have to pay).
Shouting general abuse.
Squirting washer fluid at me through "comically positioned" washer jets.
Hitting my handlebars with wing mirrors as they squeeze past (only to get stuck in traffic).
Pulling out of junctions in front of me.
Turning left and cutting me up.
Forcing me off the wrong exit at traffic islands.
Spitting at me.
Throwing rubbish at me (half empty McDonalds milkshake).

Perhaps ive been unlucky, perhaps things are nowhere near as bad as they were 10 years ago?

Wow, do you ride around with a t-shirt saying 'Hit-me' or 'All drivers are idiots'?! I've never had an issue like that. The nearest has to be a hand gesture out of the window for me overtaking a slow car downhill and beating him to the roundabout!

Strider590

^^ Nope just living in a very intolerant area during the years 1995-2001 I think.

It's a real shame, as I did enjoy cycling.... I had a mountain bike and a road bike. I was big into mountain biking at the time, even competing when finances allowed.

steve321_2

I need to start cycling into work, the car is making me put on a few pounds!

sickofusernames

passatrider wrote: »

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

Go for it, you'll love canal cycling to start with as it's all flat apart from getting towards locks and it's more peaceful and less polluting than the road network. I remember fondly cycling a huge part of my Birmingham canal network during 2007 when work was really quiet and it helped that I could access the canal just round the corner of where I live.

I'm also out of work so sold my car a couple of months ago but have occasional use of my missus' car to ferry the little one about and do shopping in but it's so liberating getting on the mountain bike. My missus hates me so much when I'm driving her car as every time I get stuck in traffic (which can be any time of day where I live) I flip my lid which isn't good for my blood pressure and relationship