Reducing lazy car usage

[ArcticHair]

Anybody up for a support and encouragement thread for reducing car usage?

I've been trying to shift more towards using my bike as my primary mode of transport.

I've commuted by bike for a few years now but on somewhat of a fair weather basis. I've never kept going all winter through the snowy, icy, stormy season. I've also been lazy a lot in the past about making short journeys by car, especially with the kids (4 and 2) or to the shops despite owning a bike trailer, so I'm trying to change that.

I'm lucky enough to live an easy distance from work, the kids' nursery and most of the shops and facilities I need and I think I already have all the equipment and clothing I need so I've got no excuses except laziness for using the car on a day-to-day basis. It's easy enough now in the nice weather but will obviously get harder as winter approaches. I don't intend to go fully car free but just trying to shift my mindset to think of it as a luxury to be used only when really needed rather than an easy option for every day.

Anyone else here on Mumsnet who is trying to make changes in their life to walk or cycle or take public transport more instead of using the car? I was hoping we could discuss tips and try to keep each other accountable :)

P.S. Yes I know lots of people aren't as lucky as I am and don't have the option of reducing their reliance on cars. This isn't meant as a dig at them.

As someone who can't drive and had to use a bike when my DC were small...with a trailer...I can't recommend doing it in the winter. It's just miserable.

Walking is safer anyway. By all means bike shorter/safer distances in good weather but don't punish yourself and do it in the ice and cold.

Walking is better for small kids...you can interact with them more and show them things along the way. I really am glad I couldn;t drive when mine were tiny....I have lovely memories of waiting at bus stops and looking at the wildflowers...of walking or cycling down lanes in the good weather.

Oh no, don't discourage me! I've got some studded tyres for my bike for when it gets slippery and I'm really not too bothered about the cold - it's rarely much below freezing, I have good outerwear and always find myself warm from the exertion. It's the wind that I hate because it slows you right down. The rain has discouraged me in the past but having pushed myself to just get out there I've found it's rarely all that bad once you get going. Just got myself some waterproof trousers as well in an effort to take that excuse off my list.

Obviously I do not intend to bike in an actual storm which could make me lose my balance, but I know I could do way better than I have done in previous winters. My distances are really short - total commute is 5 km including dropping my son off at nursery. The 4 year old is currently riding her own bike to nursery with DP (slightly different location to where DS goes) and I pick them both up.

But we'll have to rethink things once the weather is no longer appropriate for her to do that. Some walking might be the answer but the trailer is quite cosy with the cover down and walking adds so much time.. Time is one of the main reasons one of us used to drive them in the mornings as with 2 kids at different locations and an early pick up for DS it was a struggle to get to work in time to do my hours before I had to leave again. DS is now closer and can stay a bit longer so we have more wriggle room.

Totally agree that travelling without a car adds a lot to my quality of life as well, which is another reason I want to do this.

Why not set smaller targets for yourself - maybe to use the bike rather than the car every monday or one day a week in October. Then not at the weekends in November, etc etc? Then you have a bit of flexibility if its cold/wet/windy/icy etc

I think targets like that wouldn't really be a stretch for me personally (would be a huge step backwards really since I already bike commute all days in reasonable weather and usually manage it in somewhat bad weather). I really wanted to keep going all winter this year and just take the car when it's genuinely dangerous to bike rather than when it's just a little uncomfortable. I asked for the studded tyres for my birthday! So that's my personal target, but I'm not coming at this as a complete novice to travelling by bike.

And I also want to completely cut out things that make me feel that I am being lazy, like driving to the shops just to save 10 minutes and a bit of exertion that I could definitely spare.

But yes I agree small targets are a good way to get started. I was hoping there would be other people here with maybe different targets, but the same general goal of reducing car usage when they could make other choices. Any target is great, we all have different lives.

Anybody? I've seen all kinds of support threads for diets, exercise, giving up alcohol etc. I'll do it by myself of course if nobody else here is making these kinds of lifestyle changes but I thought it might be nice to have a bit of camaraderie along the way.

My advice would by to cycle as much as you can while the weather is decent. This will get you all in the groove, and you'll feel less guilty missing it if the weather is truly shocking one day. Whereabouts are you located?

Also remember that even if you have to get off and walk and push your bike (and trailer), at least you'll be doing it at adult speed not 2yo speed!

I've found that taking my bike for short journeys (1-2 miles) isn't much quicker than walking once I've factored in locking and unlocking my bike with its three locks. My walk to work is 2 miles and I go through town and pick up bits on the way.

I use the car for fortnightly trips to the supermarkets and stock up on bulky items. Marking my place through as I'm sure I could do better.

Also remember that even if you have to get off and walk and push your bike (and trailer), at least you'll be doing it at adult speed not 2yo speed!

That is a really good point and a great way to think about it!

I'm in Reykjavík so the weather can get pretty bad (but usually not as bad as you might think). I am definitely in a good groove right now, reckon I've been limited by equipment as much as anything because it really is quite dangerous to cycle or walk once it gets slippery. Some of my route is gritted but some isn't and when it melts and refreezes you get full ice rink conditions. I'm hoping the studded tyres will give me more scope to deal with it. I certainly see other people doing it!

Are you a year-round cycle commuter?

megletthesecond - I can see how walking would save time with three locks and if you make a lot of little stops! I don't think it would be quicker for me, but then I only have one lock - not in a high crime area at all.

Sounds like you're doing better than me by organising yourself really well to maximise the usefulness of each car trip. I am really bad at food planning so tend to go to the shops much more frequently. I can fit a decent amount in the back of the trailer, though, or in the main bit if I don't have the kids.

Last weekend I needed some things not available in my immediate neighbourhood and tried cycling to the shopping mall instead of driving - it was much easier and quicker than I had anticipated. Having always driven there I was thinking of it in my head as being quite far away, but it was incredibly manageable. I was only getting light items, though.

I have been an all year round cycle commuter, and hopefully will be again when DS2 starts secondary. Our school run is a 12 mile round trip (plus 2 to reach work) but we try and do it once or twice a week. However, we're rather further south, just outside Cambridge, UK.

What sort of trailer do you have? When the kids were small I had a cheap one and found that the water from wet roads used to wick up onto the canvas floor, so luggage needed to be in plastic bags.

I'll join you OP.

My new office is a 20 minute walk down a long hill. No problem walking to work. I can't drive even I wanted to because there's nowhere to park. I might get a bus down if it's slippery. There are several bus services but I'm determined to walk home (i.e. up the long hill!), not least to get some bloody exercise! So my resistance will be tried on a cold dark rainy night in mid-winter with a bag of shopping...

Saying that, my neighbour works in the same place and she does drive, so hopefully she might take pity on me on a night like that if she's leaving at the same time. I definitely won't be angling for lifts though before anyone accuses me of being a CF

Incidentally, I was in Reykjavík a few years ago when there was six feet of snow. Even the airport was closed. I got off a bus at one point and it was literally up to my chest! And we were in the Blue Lagoon in the middle of a raging blizzard which was surreal. Amazing place.

I've got a decent trailer - Nordic Cab. It's got a hard base so no problem with water getting in from the bottom. After 3 years of fairly heavy usage one of the zips on the rain cover is buggered but it doesn't let in much.

Once or twice a week is much better than zero times a week so good on you. I'm so lucky with my distances, I know it would be a lot harder with longer trips. Is your DS riding his own bike then?

My 4 yo just started riding to nursery a few weeks ago. She wouldn't be able to if we weren't so close.

StCharlotte Brilliant, good luck! For really wet days I do recommend waterproof trousers. Even though they are incredibly unstylish, I find I barely mind the rain with proper waterproofs. It's kind of true that there's no bad weather, just inappropriate clothing!

I might remember the snowfall you mean! It was like a whole winter's worth at once. My DD, then a lot shorter, was literally up to her chest in it

I had a drizzly ride today but nothing serious. Car last used on Sunday to drive somewhere to go for a walk (Ok that was probably not great) and to visit family (which I think is fine).

I wish I could join you, I don't mind cycling to work but I need to leave the house at 6:15am to get to work for 6:45am for a 12 hour shift. It's fine in the summer but it's getting darker every morning lately and I reckon only another week or so and it'll be too dark to cycle. I live in a semi rural place and work is in a rural area, with no streetlights and there's no way on this earth that I'd be cycling that in the dark. I walk a lot though. But won't be cycling to work through the winter. I don't pass a soul on my way to work in the mornings and don't have lights on my bike. Even if I did I wouldn't be out in the pitch black on my own.

I’m a year round cycle commuter. If it snows I generally walk with my bike. (As usually there are some bits where the snow is clear so I can cycle.) I have decent waterproofs, good lights and kids who like to cycle. (Dd - 9 - is a competitive cyclist and - 6 - is just starting to get into it.) Distance to / from work is 3.4 miles if I do pick off / drop off at school and 2 miles if I don’t.

It helps that I have no better options! Driving would take much longer as I’d get stuck in traffic, have to park half a mile away and cost a fortune. (I work in a city centre.) Bus also takes forever due to traffic. Walking takes longer.

I’m trying to reduce my other car journeys though. Currently I’d say I do about 3/4 in summer and half in winter of my “less than 2 miles” trips by bike / foot. Want to up that a bit.

My DS2 is 9 so definitely on his own bike. We fantasise about a tandem but I'm put off by the expense. Plus he does additional sport 2 afternoons a week and 6 miles home might be too much. Don't want to put him off. He's less keen on cycling in the dark and about half the route is unlit.

I just want to add that although you'll be cycling and warming up through exercise, your kids will be sat in the trailer in the freezing cold. Don't underestimate how cold they will get. Especially if you get delayed for some reason e.g. tyre change. And of course as your rain cover is broken.

DH commutes by bike all year round but he has proper clothing for every season (gloves, make sure you have decent gloves!). He only bikes once or twice a week as it's 1:15 each way. So he can choose when he goes based on the weather. Even he says it's miserable if he misjudges what clothing he needs.

TwatCat I understand. I wouldn't fancy cycling on rural British lanes in the pitch dark either. I hated cycling in the dark for years (and driving in the dark too tbh) and it's still not my favourite, but I have the lights and I'm in a town so it's never pitch dark.

Currently I’d say I do about 3/4 in summer and half in winter of my “less than 2 miles” trips by bike / foot. Want to up that a bit.

That's really good! Best of luck with improving your efforts still further.
Brilliant that you've raised two little cyclists as well. I'm doing my best with my two, though I'm not sure they'll ever be competitive. I don't know anything about that scene. But who knows! I really want them to see cycling as a normal way to get about, especially for short journeys, and set them up with good habits for life.
Walking with your bike in the snow is a brilliant tactic - you're right that even when bits are not doable, a lot of the route usually is so it's still worth bringing the bike.

We fantasise about a tandem but I'm put off by the expense.

Ooo I'd love a tandem one day. I've ridden one before on holiday and it was such fun. But I'm not sure how much use it would get at this stage of our lives.

HysteryMystery

My children absolutely have appropriate outdoor gear. They could sit out in a snow drift for an hour and be fine once they've got all their winter stuff on. I've never had them get cold in the trailer yet!

For myself I do a double glove system in the depths of winter - my softshell gloves or thin wool gloves for a base layer with big thick woolly mittens on the top. Surprisingly I can still operate the gears and brakes fine with that! Rain trousers were something I was lacking, but I'm sorted there now and I reckon I should be good to get through the winter (barring severe storms which I just wouldn't attempt).

I'm up to 3 weeks now of not using the car at all during the week, though we've been using it a little bit on the weekends. I'm almost looking forward to some bad weather to test my resolve!

Blimey, in Reykjavik! Respect, OP!

I’m in Scotland, doing 3 miles a day by bike. Used to take the kids to nursery and then to school by bike (they’re grown now). Sounds to me like you are doing all the right things ... rainwear, double gloves etc. Presumably a warm layer under your helmet? I have a kindof balaclava thing for the winter ... and also detachable fleece earflaps which stay on my helmet October to April. I’m sure you have decent footwear as well. I have a very visible rain jacket with reflectors, really bright lights, and also a wraparound rain skirt which I use in preference to trousers as it’s easier to get on and off; I don't recommend it in the wind, though!

Think about how you can make your bike easier to use than the car. Think about where you keep it, how it’s easier to park etc., I can get nearer the shops etc where I am going. (That’s where I live, at any rate, maybe Reykjavik is different, they seem to have a lot more space.)

Good luck!

Hi OP, I thought I'd say hello. We're currently living in London but in the process of moving out into the sticks. I really don't want to buy a second car just for the short drive to the station (with extortionate parking charges) so my brave (stupid?) plan is to cycle to the station. It's only a 20 min ride through countryside and quiet roads, but I think I'll struggle a bit with cold and rain. Hopefully the absence of an alternative will help motivate me :-) Thanks for helping to keep my resolve.

I’ve been very impressive today. Dd has a party at a friend’s house who lives 1.1 miles away. Me and dd walked there (she scooted) then I walked home. Then I walked over there again to pick her up and then we walked home again.

My Apple Watch is very pleased with me!

I've got a scooter (not electric). I use it all the time for short journeys of up to 15mins scoot. I have a bike but it is more faffy as it is locked around the back and all on roads where scooting on pavements is (just about) socially acceptable. Also perfect for the kids.

My station is about 45 mins walk, I considers opting there from tiem to time but that is quite far!

I realised a few months ago that majority of my car journeys are around a mile which makes me feel really guilty. Usually popping (sorry for those that are offended by popping!) Into town or ferrying kids to clubs/friends.
I mooted the idea of us cutting down on short journeys and suggested for each activity we cut out 1 journey per week.(with the view of increasing) Eg DD does dance classes twice a week so 1 journey of 4 would be done on foot.

Well done to everyone making the effort. Keep it up! Look for every opportunity. x

I cycle commuted in all weathers for 13 years - would just like to recommend overshoes for really cold, wet days it’s amazing how much better you feel with warm, dry feet!

cruellaisback Yeah I have a merino hat that goes under my helmet on cold days. Merino long sleeve vest and tights for very cold days. Waterproof hiking trainers for general use, snow boots for very cold days. Hi-viz yellow softshell jacket or bright green waterproof jacket. Hi-viz yellow helmet - people should definitely see me coming anyway! I've toyed with the idea of a balaclava style thing but I don't think I'd ever be cold enough for it. It's really not that cold here, not like Sweden or something.

DoubleHelix Yes, you can do it! Rain jacket, rain trousers, shoes that won't get soaked, thin hat and decent gloves, you'll be good to go. The weather nearly always looks a lot worse than it actually feels. And your body does generate a lot of heat as you exercise. I get too hot much more often than I get too cold. Aim to be a little bit chilly and feel a little underdressed as you first step out the house - that's a lesson I really should know but I still overdress all the time as it's very hard to resist the temptation to be warm right away! But that leaves you red and sweaty after 5 minutes. You can always take an extra layer in your bag in case you need to stop and you start to cool down.

Some mornings in the past few years I've been dreading getting on my bike, but I've never once regretted it once I get going (or once I've finished dragging one or two kids up the hill anyway). And every time I chicken out when I know I could have done it I do regret it. But as you say, there's nothing like a lack of alternatives to stiffen the resolve!

Mumoftwo Well done!

Skinnychip Great plan! Once you start, it just gets easier and easier. And you realise what a pain in the arse the car is in so many ways - traffic, finding a parking spot, paying for parking, bundling the kids in and out (if you have young children).

LiveFats Good tip! Must admit my waterproof trousers do leave a small gap when I am wearing my trainers, so the rain does get on my socks a bit. My children wear rain trousers that have elastic bands that go under the shoes to keep them in place - heaven knows why the adult trousers don't have these as well.

I had a whole car free weekend. DD and I cycled to her gymnastics lesson and back, we went to the shop on foot, I cycled to see a friend, we all cycled to the pool with DS in the trailer. I think it's a record for me at a whole 7 days of normal life car free! And we should be good until Friday now.

I hate seeing cyclists on the road.
It terrifies me.
It’s probably since I knocked one off their bike.