Anyone Ditched their Car Completely for a Bike?
Discussion
I live near a semi-large city so everything I need is roughly 3-4miles away, with plenty of bike paths as well.
My current car isn't the freshest or anything special and I just use it as an appliance - for getting to places and transporting stuff, so no hard feelings about it and it's not worth anything. However... with all the Insurance/upkeep/servicing/fuel/tax/tyres/occasional part /depreciation etc.. costs me roughly £3000/year. And that's for a super reliable/economic car that needs almost nothing and has no real deprecation etc.. Mainly due to expensive insurance.
I'm sure I could do my grocery shopping with a bike+few racks as the shop which I visit the most is just a mile away anyway. For rest of the stuff I'm sure I could just pay for the shipping costs or when I need something larger transported could ask someone for a favor. Combined with the fact there aren't much parking spaces where I live makes it even more attractive choice.
+ I hate the damn traffic, and to get to my work it takes roughly the same time with bike than with a car and I can cycle through woods instead of sitting in traffic feeling miserable.
Has anyone done something like this? How did it went?
My current car isn't the freshest or anything special and I just use it as an appliance - for getting to places and transporting stuff, so no hard feelings about it and it's not worth anything. However... with all the Insurance/upkeep/servicing/fuel/tax/tyres/occasional part /depreciation etc.. costs me roughly £3000/year. And that's for a super reliable/economic car that needs almost nothing and has no real deprecation etc.. Mainly due to expensive insurance.
I'm sure I could do my grocery shopping with a bike+few racks as the shop which I visit the most is just a mile away anyway. For rest of the stuff I'm sure I could just pay for the shipping costs or when I need something larger transported could ask someone for a favor. Combined with the fact there aren't much parking spaces where I live makes it even more attractive choice.
+ I hate the damn traffic, and to get to my work it takes roughly the same time with bike than with a car and I can cycle through woods instead of sitting in traffic feeling miserable.
Has anyone done something like this? How did it went?
Yep. Stopped using my car around two years ago, sold it 5 months ago. Bought new 3 years prior; what a fraking waste of money - £5k depreciation + £1050 insurance for all 3 years + around £900-£1000 fuel = at least £7k for 3 years of car use. Nuts.
I only have the one bike - a cheap'n'cheerful £250 Ridgeback Speed hybrid. Marathon Plus tyres, a few good lights, a repair kit, a range of clothing for all conditions, including Bolé safety specs for hail & snow, a few pairs of gloves for various temperatures, backpack for colder days, pannier for warmer days, decent U-lock.
Commute 6 miles each way, takes around 30 minutes, or 25 with a nice tail wind. It takes 9 minutes to ride to the local shops.
The only awkwardness comes with bulk transport. For example, if I get anything large delivered at work, or if I need to take heavy or awkward things to the local recycling centre. For these cases, I borrow a relative's car and pay for the fuel.
For some purchases, such as bed duvets or pillows, they can be carried okay with some bungee cords.
I am considering getting a belt drive bike though. It only takes just one trip on a slushy snow day, or wet gritted roads with lots of road spray, to get a very rusty chain even if it's thoroughly oiled.
Mud, filthy road spray especially from HGVs, road salt & roadside detritis are, for me anyway, the most annoying aspects. ... obviously aside from cars & pedestrians hogging dual-use paths while listening to earphones (clearly, pedestrians need a pavement license).
The only restriction, for me, is days where it is *extremely* windy. So far, I haven't had a problem, but it's possible that extreme storm conditions could require a taxi or public transport. I expect this would probably only happen once every few years though.
I only have the one bike - a cheap'n'cheerful £250 Ridgeback Speed hybrid. Marathon Plus tyres, a few good lights, a repair kit, a range of clothing for all conditions, including Bolé safety specs for hail & snow, a few pairs of gloves for various temperatures, backpack for colder days, pannier for warmer days, decent U-lock.
Commute 6 miles each way, takes around 30 minutes, or 25 with a nice tail wind. It takes 9 minutes to ride to the local shops.
The only awkwardness comes with bulk transport. For example, if I get anything large delivered at work, or if I need to take heavy or awkward things to the local recycling centre. For these cases, I borrow a relative's car and pay for the fuel.
For some purchases, such as bed duvets or pillows, they can be carried okay with some bungee cords.
I am considering getting a belt drive bike though. It only takes just one trip on a slushy snow day, or wet gritted roads with lots of road spray, to get a very rusty chain even if it's thoroughly oiled.
Mud, filthy road spray especially from HGVs, road salt & roadside detritis are, for me anyway, the most annoying aspects. ... obviously aside from cars & pedestrians hogging dual-use paths while listening to earphones (clearly, pedestrians need a pavement license).
The only restriction, for me, is days where it is *extremely* windy. So far, I haven't had a problem, but it's possible that extreme storm conditions could require a taxi or public transport. I expect this would probably only happen once every few years though.
Edited by smargh on Saturday 18th March 19:31
If it were not for family commitments, I wouldmight give up my car. Or buy a sporty 'toy' or a classic for occasional use.
I've done most things with a bike, shopping, commuting, visiting interesting places, etc. No panniers or racks on them either. I even took garden waste to the localtip Household Waste Recycling Centre, using a large army rucksack. It took three trips to get rid of it all, but hey? That's three times more cycling right?
Big bulky purchases can be delivered, or a van hired. The big sticking point for me was my wife and kids. They're nowhere near as 'into cycling' as I am, and moan about the slightest incline.
I try to combine my cycling with stuff for them when I can. Wife and youngest off to a music festival? Bike in the car, drive to hotel, drop them off at the venue, a tidy century ride, pick 'em up from the venue and back to the hotel. I wanted to see an air show. So I drove up to a fairly nearby National Trust estate, left the wife with the car, and cycled off to the air display, then back to collect her and drive home. I could ditch the car bits for trains (discount rail card) or longer bike legs if it weren't for my passengers.
In the end, though, my love of driving would probably mean I would want access to a car sometimes...
I've done most things with a bike, shopping, commuting, visiting interesting places, etc. No panniers or racks on them either. I even took garden waste to the local
Big bulky purchases can be delivered, or a van hired. The big sticking point for me was my wife and kids. They're nowhere near as 'into cycling' as I am, and moan about the slightest incline.
I try to combine my cycling with stuff for them when I can. Wife and youngest off to a music festival? Bike in the car, drive to hotel, drop them off at the venue, a tidy century ride, pick 'em up from the venue and back to the hotel. I wanted to see an air show. So I drove up to a fairly nearby National Trust estate, left the wife with the car, and cycled off to the air display, then back to collect her and drive home. I could ditch the car bits for trains (discount rail card) or longer bike legs if it weren't for my passengers.
In the end, though, my love of driving would probably mean I would want access to a car sometimes...
I love my car and I intend to retire to a nomadic life of off-road caravan touring, around the world. I will take a bike with me, of course.
BUT, until then I'd dearly love a lifestyle where I could abandon the car for the majority of life. Commuting, taking the kids to school and shopping are three of the things that would make me so happy to do by bike but I can't living where I do (out in the country - another aspirational decision I made).
So my question to those that have given up car ownership is, where do you all live?
BUT, until then I'd dearly love a lifestyle where I could abandon the car for the majority of life. Commuting, taking the kids to school and shopping are three of the things that would make me so happy to do by bike but I can't living where I do (out in the country - another aspirational decision I made).
So my question to those that have given up car ownership is, where do you all live?
I did the cost/benefit thing just under three years ago and got rid of the car. Hiring one every so often isn't a problem (and a lot cheaper that owning one). I wouldn't give up motorcycling though.
I miss having a car, especially on the days when the weather is really bad. I'm hoping to buy an Evo sometime when finances allow
but I've lost all my NCB which will make it really expensive to insure.
There are pros and cons to it. You also need to think about how things could change in the future.
Oh and hire cars are slow and boring, but if you aren't interested in that sort of stuff it shouldn't matter.
I miss having a car, especially on the days when the weather is really bad. I'm hoping to buy an Evo sometime when finances allow
but I've lost all my NCB which will make it really expensive to insure. There are pros and cons to it. You also need to think about how things could change in the future.
Oh and hire cars are slow and boring, but if you aren't interested in that sort of stuff it shouldn't matter.
I’ve given up a car twice now relying on my bike/s as replacements but we do have a car.
The first time my car just wasn’t being used and was costing money but doing nothing, especially when including the rubbish SE London parking permit.
The final straw came when the
s that lived below me pushed it forward so they could park a van, in the process pushed they it out into the road so some SE London could drive into it and of course didn’t leave their details.
I took advantage of the council’s policy of offering £200 to spend in a LBS if you got a refund on your parking permit.
The second time after I’d moved I came back into car ownership after a relative left town and let me have their car. It rarely got used again but got nicked before I had chance to figure out what to do with it.
In an urban environment, and not even a major metropolitan one I don’t feel us both having cars is necessary but aside from the odd Boris Bike my wife doesn’t cycle much so we’ll always have a car.
When we move to a more idyllic rural setting two cars would probably be a necessity TBH, much as I’d try to cycle everywhere and maybe get something with some load carrying ability the reality is most stuff isn’t going to be a max of 20 mins on the bike away and there just won’t be time.
The first time my car just wasn’t being used and was costing money but doing nothing, especially when including the rubbish SE London parking permit.
The final straw came when the
s that lived below me pushed it forward so they could park a van, in the process pushed they it out into the road so some SE London could drive into it and of course didn’t leave their details. I took advantage of the council’s policy of offering £200 to spend in a LBS if you got a refund on your parking permit.
The second time after I’d moved I came back into car ownership after a relative left town and let me have their car. It rarely got used again but got nicked before I had chance to figure out what to do with it.
In an urban environment, and not even a major metropolitan one I don’t feel us both having cars is necessary but aside from the odd Boris Bike my wife doesn’t cycle much so we’ll always have a car.
When we move to a more idyllic rural setting two cars would probably be a necessity TBH, much as I’d try to cycle everywhere and maybe get something with some load carrying ability the reality is most stuff isn’t going to be a max of 20 mins on the bike away and there just won’t be time.
I've gone for a week or so without driving, as walk/cycle to work and tend to do online shopping. My daily driver only does about 6,000 miles a year, I guess most of which is ferrying my young son around and driving to trail centres.
But this is Pistonheads - my fun car does more miles driving for fun, and the bikes would go way before the cars if I had to get rid!
But this is Pistonheads - my fun car does more miles driving for fun, and the bikes would go way before the cars if I had to get rid!
I've given up on the car for commuting and for nipping into town which are taken care of by my commuter (Planet-X London road flat bar - 8.8Kg without rack and guards) or my town hack (1997 Gary Fisher MTB on slicks, 1x7 gearing and cost me about £35 to build).
The fact my car only does circa 5K miles a year (with 4 adults with cars in the house the driving gets shared a lot) means the fact the ST220 only manages about 22mph isnt an issue, cheap enough to buy, low depreciation and a real hoot to drive when I want to.
The fact my car only does circa 5K miles a year (with 4 adults with cars in the house the driving gets shared a lot) means the fact the ST220 only manages about 22mph isnt an issue, cheap enough to buy, low depreciation and a real hoot to drive when I want to.
Not quite, but I'm planning on giving up one of our cars when we move to Luxembourg in the summer with the remaining (company) car being used only for the odd family trip, big shop etc.
We've a 2 min walk to town for local shops, cafes, pubs etc.
Wife can commute by train, bus or bike.
Kids can take bus to school, or cycle when they're old enough.
Me? It's a flat 20-25 mins to the city centre, lots of paths and segregated cycle lanes, why would I need a car?
Where we live in Bucks now though, two cars is an absolute necessity.
Can't imagine going completely without a car though.Might work if you're young/single, but with a family? Nah.
Still waiting to find out what the car policy will stretch to. It won't be very PH but I'm hoping the remaining car will be something like a 340i Touring rather than a dull 320d.
We've a 2 min walk to town for local shops, cafes, pubs etc.
Wife can commute by train, bus or bike.
Kids can take bus to school, or cycle when they're old enough.
Me? It's a flat 20-25 mins to the city centre, lots of paths and segregated cycle lanes, why would I need a car?
Where we live in Bucks now though, two cars is an absolute necessity.
Can't imagine going completely without a car though.Might work if you're young/single, but with a family? Nah.
Still waiting to find out what the car policy will stretch to. It won't be very PH but I'm hoping the remaining car will be something like a 340i Touring rather than a dull 320d.
loudlashadjuster said:
Not quite, but I'm planning on giving up one of our cars when we move to Luxembourg in the summer with the remaining (company) car being used only for the odd family trip, big shop etc.
We've a 2 min walk to town for local shops, cafes, pubs etc.
Wife can commute by train, bus or bike.
Kids can take bus to school, or cycle when they're old enough.
Me? It's a flat 20-25 mins to the city centre, lots of paths and segregated cycle lanes, why would I need a car?
Where we live in Bucks now though, two cars is an absolute necessity.
Can't imagine going completely without a car though.Might work if you're young/single, but with a family? Nah.
Still waiting to find out what the car policy will stretch to. It won't be very PH but I'm hoping the remaining car will be something like a 340i Touring rather than a dull 320d.
I got on fine without a car when I lived in Luxembourg - where will you be for it being flat into the city centre?We've a 2 min walk to town for local shops, cafes, pubs etc.
Wife can commute by train, bus or bike.
Kids can take bus to school, or cycle when they're old enough.
Me? It's a flat 20-25 mins to the city centre, lots of paths and segregated cycle lanes, why would I need a car?
Where we live in Bucks now though, two cars is an absolute necessity.
Can't imagine going completely without a car though.Might work if you're young/single, but with a family? Nah.
Still waiting to find out what the car policy will stretch to. It won't be very PH but I'm hoping the remaining car will be something like a 340i Touring rather than a dull 320d.
Craikeybaby said:
I got on fine without a car when I lived in Luxembourg - where will you be for it being flat into the city centre?
Bertrange. There's a path by the Péitruss river that goes most of the way in or there are plenty of road options, it seems there's nothing lumpy out that way.Going north though
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