Car versus machine.....ha ha ha!!!!

[LikeClockwork]

I know I've had this chat before but can't find the thread now, it was a very long time ago.

The car has just spectacularly failed it's MOT as expected after all these years. How realistic is it to do without a car on a day to day basis and cycle to work? For reference: I live in a very rural area, lanes a plenty, buses so so, shops are doable. I'm a self employed gardener but all my customers have very good tools so I don't need to 'carry', ahem. They are all no more than 7, maybe 8 miles away.

Thinking about it, PO is now in the local garage (easily accessible) parents are still fairly mobile and have a car, landlady has a car and can give the occasional lift to town/PO/pub. Two pubs are easy cycle, I have lights

 

[KermitGKona88]

Re:

Looks like you just answered your own question :facepalm:

 

[lazyrabbit]

How very green. Sounds like a good idea! I quite often go 10-18 miles between places, only issue is timing.

 

[LikeClockwork]

Re:

You're both doing a very good job of selling the idea to me, for the summer at least.....car can be parked up and bits sold off piece meal, pays for more bikes and inner tubes

Plus, hire a car for long journeys, bus and rail journeys if I want a holiday, not far from Exmoor and the Somerset steam railway.....

 

[KermitGKona88]

Re: Re:

hire a car for long journeys, bus and rail journeys if I want a holiday, not far from Exmoor and the Somerset steam railway.....

SOLD

 

[integerspin]

I stopped using a car in 2012. And I last borrowed a car to pick up something in January, I
have probably borrowed a car five times in the five years. I wouldn't have believed I could
do without a car, but am glad I tried it.
Go for it.

 

[02gf74]

If its one job a day at max if 8 miles then totally doable, certainly on the dry and not freezing days.

If its 2 or 3 at that distance, perhaps fitting electric motor wheel to assist is an option. Conversion kits are available for about £1-200 which should make life a bit easier. <--- Actually its prob double that to include battery.

Youll need to upgrade tyres and tubes to be less puncture prone.

 

[NeilM]

Re:

There's a guy who is part of the local Parish Council who rides around the little lanes of the parish with a litter picker, plastic bags and a small box trailer on the back of his bike.

I see him out about once a week picking up litter, from the local Mcdonalds, Costa, Sainsbury's etc and carrying the full bags in the trailer.

 

[The History Man]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/382036901357

I am about to give up my commute and car maybe for one of these. Mrs hm will still drive the 4x4 so not quite your situation.

 

[LikeClockwork]

Re:

Thanks for the encouragement guys.

Funnily enough, THM, that is one of the other options, although perhaps something a little newer....