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.

Um OK. Thanks for that helpful and relevant comment. I hope you drive more carefully in future.

It wasn’t my fault.

You'll be fine I used to cycle 42 kilometres (commute to work) a day. No issues. Just a mindset. I didn't do it for the financial aspect since well that was quite negligible. The cycling allowance was only 0.23 €/km - but tax free. It's a good way to relax and wind-down from work.

Molteni I quite agree it's a mindset, though there can be logistical issues to overcome when there are kids or adverse weather conditions to factor in. Where did you live? I take it not UK with the Euro sign? 42 km is impressive! Must have been brilliant for your general health and fitness.

I don't do this for financial reasons either, though I suppose we're saving a bit of petrol money. We don't get any sort of allowance at all! My workplace offers a discount on a bus card for people who don't drive or a discount on a gym membership. I'm not interested in either.

My motivation is a mix of environmental concern (though I'm certainly no angel on that front, this is something I feel well able to do) and wanting to improve my health, fitness and mood.

Well that was mainly the Netherlands and Flanders (Northern part of Belgium). In fairness though you can cycle pretty much anywhere. I can deal with lacking infrastructure, I don't enjoy hatred towards cyclists like in the UK. Lots of rain and wind (great fun even) is okay; not so big on snow since it impairs my vision too much. Most weather conditions you can deal with by appropriate clothing. For me the most important item being cycling gloves, I suffer from cold hands, invest in a good pair.

I started doing it; because well everybody was. So, felt a bit weird not to. Also using your car for very short distances isn't optimal for the car; usually your oil only reaches the correct temperature after +- 20 minutes so you have higher wear and tear etc... I also always find it quite motivating to look at my Strava with a sense of achievement.

Making less car journeys was made easy for us. My car went to the car graveyard a year ago and we just didn't replace it (OH still has a car). I walk everywhere (to work, to school, to children's clubs) I am lucky that everything from the supermarket to the swimming pool to my office is less than 2 miles from my house.

I love not owning a car. We still have OH car that we sometimes use at the weekend as family live all over the place but we don't use it unless we have to.

I'm lucky to be in a flat area that's safe to cycle in. I found getting a basket for my bike a big help in making me use it more as it was a quicker way to get grocery top up shopping, take library books back, etc that might otherwise use the car for as too heavy/far to carry otherwise. Sounds like you may already have that though.

For the past year I've been walking rather than taking the car. I put a rucksack on and walk to the supermarket. Carrying the shopping home is like weight training, plus I don't buy extra items if they're heavy no wine

I joined a gym which is 2 miles away. I'm not a gym bunny and hate exercise, so I walk to the gym and then I can enjoy a swim, the spa, or a gentle yoga class.

I'm in. I could walk in 30-40 minutes or push scoot to work in 20. Instead I drive the 10 minutes or under. I'm a key worker and before covid the drive was about 20 minutes. Now with less traffic it does make a difference and I'm quite disorganized in the morning. I'll aim for 2 days a week

@Bramblecrumble

I'm in. I could walk in 30-40 minutes or push scoot to work in 20. Instead I drive the 10 minutes or under. I'm a key worker and before covid the drive was about 20 minutes. Now with less traffic it does make a difference and I'm quite disorganized in the morning. I'll aim for 2 days a week

This thread is nearly a year old?

Haha, how the hell did I stumble upon it.