How do you food shop without a car?

JP08

On the subject of bikes and shopping, I used to find it easier to ride to the shops, but walk back using the bike as a shopping trolley. They are just a bit too unstable for riding in traffic when really laden.

But at a pinch, and with an old style horizontal crossbar gents bike, you can get two carriers on the handlebars, four on the crossbar (trick is to tie the handles together) and a couple on the rack. Plus whatever you can put in a rucksack. Then wheel the thing home. At a pinch you can scoot short distances on a pedal and speed things up a bit (aside question, are you riding a bike on the pavement if you scoot it - after all, you are not astride the bike and push scooters are legal on pavements ... ?)

pigpen

The problem with delivered milk is that it does go walkabout! and also being sat in the sun for a few hours on a sunny summer morning it's just breeding those heebyjeebies! Veg boxes I've tried have been absolute rubbish full of stuff we don't use and not enough of the stuff we do.. I'd go with a nice healthy daily walk to the local shops.. better for you, your purse and the body!

And yes scooting your bike on the footpath IS riding it.. if your feet leave the floor it is legally classed as riding it.. so you are still breaking the law.

jk0

Regarding milk deliveries, I bought one of the green bags that Milk & More supply:




https://www.milkandmore.co.uk/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpItmDspRte.jsp?section=10096&item=1742232&backLink=XXDCibeSAPCCtpLeafSctSs.jsp?section=10096ANDbeginIndex=0ANDsecID=10096#

I leave two cold packs in it overnight, so the milk is refrigerated the moment the milkman leaves it.

GwylimT

WantAnOrange wrote: »

Wow, thankyou for all the reply's!

DH does shift work so mostly I am on my own, and having the little ones means bikes and trolleys are out. As are taxis as we would need a car seat for DD2 to get home.

I used to be very good at meal planning and you are right it really helps.

I think Teddi's plan might suit us; stock up from SM occasionally then get local veg box delivery, milk delivered and potter around local shops once a week with the pram.

Will have to convince DH about milk delivery as it is quite a bit more expensive but we used to get it from milk & more and I miss those little glass bottles on my doorstep! It would also make the trip home much easier without two big cartons of milk to lug home.

I live near a lovely precinct with a butcher, a baker (no candlestick maker though!), a fishmonger and a greengrocer.. Is quite lovely, just more expensive than SM obviously. Markets around here are always really expensive crap, like little pots of olives and French cheese... I never really got the whole farmer's market thing, maybe that's just our local area.....

Many taxi companies have their own childseats, if not a child seat can easily go in a trolley, some even have a basket on top for this purpose. I regularly take my two (28 months and six years), shopping with our own trolley and its not a problem.

When was the last time you used the butcher etc? Ours are cheaper than most supermarkets, the only exception is lidl for us.

WantAnOrange

I am up bright an early with the kids so no worries about the milk and the veg box is from a local company I have used and like.

The car seat would be impossible because because I'd have to get it there. I have two year old in pushchair and 3 month old in a wrap sling. I am pretty small and not at all strong.

I can visit shops once or twice a week but nowhere near enough time go every day! I have three kids! Lol. I love the sound of that though, maybe one day..

local butchers is fab. Not cheaper but very good value still and much better quality.

Teddi

Our butchers is more expensive until you go regularly, then you get a big chicken for the price of a medium/small one or he reaches for the best steak mince when you ask for economy with a wink and charges you the lower price.


I'm glad you liked the plan, it works great for us, yes it probably isn't the cheapest but I want to spend time enjoying my life, not trawling round shops to save a few quid.

Lizling

WantAnOrange wrote: »

Markets around here are always really expensive crap, like little pots of olives and French cheese... I never really got the whole farmer's market thing, maybe that's just our local area.....

I agree about farmers' markets! Must be different elsewhere but around here you're as likely to save money by going to farmers' markets as you are by going to Harrods! £4+ for a loaf of bread, £3 for the smallest tub of olives...

The normal markets are good though.

Savlona

I have a cargo trike! It is awesome - I can fit a weeks shopping in there and carry the children (4 and 7) about. If you google 'family bike', you will see all sorts of designs. You can fit a baby seat too if need be. Mine is a Babboe Big.
As to those who say it is dangerous to cycle on the roads - I live in a city, but it is possible to plan your route using quiet roads and most areas offer free cycle training through the council or local cycling groups.
Also, people tend to drive courteously around me when I'm on the trike, because it is an unusual sight.
Thye are not cheap, but running costs are peanuts compared to a car and you may be able to get one via the bike to work scheme or similar.

armyknife

Savlona wrote: »

I have a cargo trike! It is awesome - I can fit a weeks shopping in there and carry the children (4 and 7) about. If you google 'family bike', you will see all sorts of designs. You can fit a baby seat too if need be. Mine is a Babboe Big.
As to those who say it is dangerous to cycle on the roads - I live in a city, but it is possible to plan your route using quiet roads and most areas offer free cycle training through the council or local cycling groups.
Also, people tend to drive courteously around me when I'm on the trike, because it is an unusual sight.
Thye are not cheap, but running costs are peanuts compared to a car and you may be able to get one via the bike to work scheme or similar.

Excellent, a crafty solution to a modern problem.

And I'd agree with you careful route planning/experimentation can make a big difference.

gmgmgm

Savlona wrote: »

I have a cargo trike! It is awesome - I can fit a weeks shopping in there and carry the children (4 and 7) about. If you google 'family bike', you will see all sorts of designs. You can fit a baby seat too if need be. Mine is a Babboe Big.

We have the same Babboe. It's fantastic. Carries 4 children with no troubles, or even 25kg bags of sand when needed (though not up Gold Hill!).

Alternatively, there are plenty of trailers for normal bicycles which can carry 2 children, plus shopping.