Could you get rid of your car?

AdrianHi

benjus wrote: »

I use my bike as my main form of transport in London... commute to work is about 6 miles each way (SE London to Canary Wharf). You get used to it pretty quickly - 6 miles soon feels like nothing. It's certainly faster than using the train & DLR or queuing up for the Blackwall tunnel.

As for the cons:

1. It actually rains a lot less around here than you might expect. I often find that rain doesn't start until mid-morning, and I don't care too much if I get wet on the way home. I do have some waterproofs to use in heavy rain.
2. Yes, this is an issue. I haven't tried hiring a car yet although I sometimes borrow one.
3. I'm lucky enough to have shower facilities at work - quite a lot of employers provide facilities these days. Where I used to work we didn't have showers, but I often used to go swimming at lunchtime and shower then.
4. I do get punctures from time to time - road surfaces in London are appalling and I sometimes hit a pothole by accident or go over broken glass. I carry basic tools, spare inner tubes and a mini pump and can change a tube pretty quickly now. Buying puncture resistant tyres helps - mine last me around 6 months at the moment. Mind you, I ride a flat-bar road bike, so the tyres are pretty skinny. I like it that way, but if you ride a mountain bike or a hybrid with thick tyres you'll probably have less trouble with punctures.

When the weather's nice it's a lovely way to travel... much better than being stuck in traffic or crammed into a train carriage with dozens of other miserable commuters.

Food shopping isn't too bad... I tend to buy little and often, stopping at the supermarket on my way home. With other items I can often make do with public transport... otherwise there's always home delivery or hiring/borrowing a car.

I've often though the best way to get around London in the rush hour would be by bike. Public transport, tube etc. is so overcrowded it becomes a really slow way to travel. Ultraseal in the tyres might prevent some/most of the punctures.

zeon999

I live 7 mile out of town in a little village with no bus service, so no having no car/motorbike is not really a sensible option for me.

If I lived in town then I would most likely go without to be honest and if I lived in a large city there is no way I would bother. Cars are a huge expence and for most people living in large citys there are better options than running round everywhere in a car.

anewman

Suppose I could on the whole but it lets me go where and when I want without putting up with annoying ch@v scum on the bus. Just have to put up with the jealous scum messing with the car instead. Lets me do a 218 mile journey on the hoof without paying ridiculous prices for a train ticket, or having to book ages in advance and have to select dates and times. Petrol doesn't work out much more expensive than the cheapest train ticket so the convenience wins really. I'd only be convinced to get rid of the car if I could go down the train station and buy the cheapest ticket to travel that day rather than having to book well in advance - but these rail companies are profit driven.

goldspanners

well summed up anewman.

i could do without my car,i have a company van to get me to and from work with minimal personal use.
i stay in a fairly central location near train stations and bus stops and could get a taxi quickly if needed.
but i dont want to get rid of my car,i enjoy driving it,its can be used at a moments notice,i dont need to book it in advance,i dont have to risk some !!!!!hole sitting next to me,or sitting on a seat that someone has !!!!!! on before i got in it.
i also dont have to pay over the top rail prices when i can drive cheaper and be much much more comfortable and relaxed.
public transport will have to transform dramatically before i seriously considered it as an alternative to my car.

TangledMemories_2

Getting rid of my car is not an option. I love it too much. Can go wherever I want, whenever I want and be comfortable whilst travelling. Can listen to whatever music I want...

Besides, if the government really want us to use public transport, why issue driving licences AND they will have to dramatically overhaul the public transport links from where I live into Manchester where I work. They've already axed 4 bus routes from near us!

manic_saver

Did it last september. I really didn't think i could manage without it, but i had the train station across the road from me. If i wanted to rent out a car, i am only half a mile away from the rental company.

All the facilities are there for me, but might not be their for others. My commute is 6 miles each way, and as for the weather if it does turn for the worst i just hop on the train :j .

Renting a car will be cheaper than owning one, if your only using it once a week. You can rent one for £15 a day.

I worked out that i will save £2000 this coming september by not having a car.

jeannieblue

No. And why should I?

Is this a green or money saving question anyway? Just curious..

manic_saver

jeannieblue wrote: »

No. And why should I?

Is this a green or money saving question anyway? Just curious..

I think you just answered your own question. :rotfl:

Millionaire

Glad Im not the only one thats thought about dumping the car. I mean if it could be done I would save loads of money, would be greener and also healthier for me.

jeannieblue

manic_saver wrote: »

I think you just answered your own question. :rotfl:

Guess so.......... :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

I just look at the thread and think?? Duh? We'd all like it to be a wonderful world but it isn't. We've all got to get to work somehow, get to the shops that sell the best deals, somehow.

The good old days have gone and they are not coming back. It's about survival now, and I bet I am not the only one that tends to think 'how am I going to get through this month?' rather than, 'how can I save the planet?'