Ban petrol cars by 2050!
Discussion
They really don't think things through do they? Our towns and cities are getting hammered by pompous anti-car councils trying to ban or restrict cars entering them, or charging silly prices for parking, so instead all the life (and jobs) are sucked out of them in favour of soulless out-of-town developments instead.
I am also absolutely sick and tired of it being assumed that people only drive because they absolutely have to. I drive because I like it and I want to, as much as anything. Sometimes I prefer to get a train if I'm going high-speed from city to city (if I was going to central London, for example), but for the most part, it's not worth it.
The buses in Manchester have a big sign on the side saying 'Love shopping? Hate parking? Then you'll love the bus!', suggesting that it's some kind of worthwhile car substitute aimed at people with plenty of disposable income to splash around at the shops.
OK, if I were to go out and buy, say, a widescreen TV, or a mountain bike, or a flat-pack IKEA wardrobe, I could get them home in my car quite easily. But on the bus? Waiting in the rain with my new purchase while standing at a bus stop? I should coco.
I'm reminded of that line in Star Wars, 'The more you tighten your grip Tarkin, the more star systems will slip through your fingers'. The more governments bother cities and what they have to offer through nannying regulation, the more people we'll lose to air-conditioned satellites with no character.
I stand by my city and always shop in it, but for quite a lot of large purchases that would ordinarily help a lot of city businesses, that require a car to pick up, I tend to go out of town. Not what I want to do, but what parking restrictions force me to do.
Also, why can't buses be comfortable? I must admit I have been taking some of late as they are quite a cheap way of getting around if you're going to have a few drinks, and the padding on the seats is wafer-thin, there's not enough legroom so my knee smashes into the seat in front whenever the bus brakes, the suspension appears to be nonexistent, the NVH levels are comically bad, and no bus driver seems to be able to operate the brakes properly - they seem to act like a big hydraulic switch determined to catapult all the passengers through the windscreen.
And buses cost how much? Even the most basic supermini is a more comfortable place to be. Why can't buses learn from cars? Even the most basic car conveys a sense of independence and self-determination on its owner, and most trains are quite relaxing over long distances and high speeds too. Buses are an insult to their passengers, which they really do treat like cattle.
If you've ever been even just a passenger in so much as one car you'll soon hate buses unless you're a communist.
I am also absolutely sick and tired of it being assumed that people only drive because they absolutely have to. I drive because I like it and I want to, as much as anything. Sometimes I prefer to get a train if I'm going high-speed from city to city (if I was going to central London, for example), but for the most part, it's not worth it.
The buses in Manchester have a big sign on the side saying 'Love shopping? Hate parking? Then you'll love the bus!', suggesting that it's some kind of worthwhile car substitute aimed at people with plenty of disposable income to splash around at the shops.
OK, if I were to go out and buy, say, a widescreen TV, or a mountain bike, or a flat-pack IKEA wardrobe, I could get them home in my car quite easily. But on the bus? Waiting in the rain with my new purchase while standing at a bus stop? I should coco.
I'm reminded of that line in Star Wars, 'The more you tighten your grip Tarkin, the more star systems will slip through your fingers'. The more governments bother cities and what they have to offer through nannying regulation, the more people we'll lose to air-conditioned satellites with no character.
I stand by my city and always shop in it, but for quite a lot of large purchases that would ordinarily help a lot of city businesses, that require a car to pick up, I tend to go out of town. Not what I want to do, but what parking restrictions force me to do.
Also, why can't buses be comfortable? I must admit I have been taking some of late as they are quite a cheap way of getting around if you're going to have a few drinks, and the padding on the seats is wafer-thin, there's not enough legroom so my knee smashes into the seat in front whenever the bus brakes, the suspension appears to be nonexistent, the NVH levels are comically bad, and no bus driver seems to be able to operate the brakes properly - they seem to act like a big hydraulic switch determined to catapult all the passengers through the windscreen.
And buses cost how much? Even the most basic supermini is a more comfortable place to be. Why can't buses learn from cars? Even the most basic car conveys a sense of independence and self-determination on its owner, and most trains are quite relaxing over long distances and high speeds too. Buses are an insult to their passengers, which they really do treat like cattle.
If you've ever been even just a passenger in so much as one car you'll soon hate buses unless you're a communist.
CENTRESukzz4iroc said:
I am shocked by how many have this opinion! 
Why?I think steps/legislation etc taken before 2050 sees petrol engines banned will have a far more profound effect on driving freedom - fuel price increases for starters.
I'm in the enjoy it while you can camp - it's not selfish - just being practical
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