to wonder where people get this expectation that they are entitled to drive round in cars, polluting the planet.

[totallybewildered]

How did it become an automatic right to drive round everywhere. Do people do it just because they can afford it? Does anyone avoid it for he sake of the human race, and the planet? I know some people have little choice, but many people who do have a choice, drive anyway.

I can't be arsed walking - I drive to the end of my drive to put the bin out - in my 78758978937 ltr 4X4

I guess it's always been the norm for most to geow up with a car and then have one themselves as an adult.
I lead quite a sheltered life though and live in middle of knowhere, and I struggle without a car as I would be stuck in my local small village, or get the bus somewhere but be stuck there as I realise that there is no bus back (i have done this and had to walk 2hrs home )

I drive a huge pickup truck, its necessary for where we live which is extremely remote (not in the UK). Also we have three enormous dogs and a toddler DS, I need the space! Plus I am THE most important person in the world (well, second to DS of course) so my needs and desires come first .

It is a legal activity with no yearly mileage limit. Public transport is expensive and inconvenient so driving is almost always easier. Unless there are changes to the law or significant rises in motoring costs people will continue to use their cars. I try to walk where I can but it isn't always possible.

At the same time people started to think they were entitled to get in my way on their pedal bikes and in their hybrids when I'm driving my 4.7 High output V8 4x4 which I pay road tax to use.

If i lived in a city with tegular bus route and trains I would probably still own a car but only use it for dar away outings/day trips. Or just hire a car when needed.... This is what my aunt does, who lives in a city but want to visit my mum out in the sticks.

I've been a veggie for 30 years and I drive when I need to. Vegetarianism is sound ecological ta.

Have you ever tried pushing 2 wheelchairs at once, OP?

Maybe they don't want to stand for an hour to work on a cramped dirty bus with a smelly armpit in their face.

I have to do it for work. No driving licence, no car, no job.

I think if people wanted to do something for the sake of the human race and planets they should limit the amount of children they have. Over population is a much bigger environmental problem than cars

you have to pay for it

i'd like to know how people have an automatic right to be arseholes and they can do it for free! with no tax paid!!

. Try living very rural OP. Then you'll understand the need for a 4x4 as well as tractors and quads. Others who don't live rurally actually need to drive to get to get to work where there is limited transport links.

Really? Same with flying, mass production, owning a home etc. Much of what we do is bad for the planet. Why focus specifically on driving?

So you're an able bodied, city dwelling, UK holidaying, tent dwelling, vegan are you OP?

I used to live in London and had no need for a car. In the rest of the country, a car is a necessity for most because public transport is shit (and even more expensive). If the government wants people to use cars less, they must invest in the infrastructure to ensure there is a viable alternative.

Personally, I couldn't do my job without being able to drive. Probably a good job then that I ride motorbike which is more environmentally friendly (but even more frowned upon)

Um, probably because we do not all live off the land and thus need to travel around, and because there are many many many places where there is no public transport

Need a car to get to work. So does dh. We'd be severely limited to where we could work and live without the cars. I doubt we are very unusual.

oh we all know that the majority of car journeys are pretty short and damaging. We are def. a 'car culture' and all the madness that ensues.
A massive proportion of car trips can be walked, public transported or by riding a . But it often isn't done through laziness and snobbery.

Car usage is up there as an icon of how self-damaging humans are.

To get to work in public transport I would have to leave home the night before as the first bus would not be in time to catch the train to work .... I prefer to spend my nights at home with da and drive the 12 miles rather than take a 12 hour 25 miledetour!

some people may have good reasons for driving, but some of these reasons are just very selfish.

Which reasons are selfish then?

some people may have good reasons for driving, but some of these reasons are just very selfish.

I suppose you grow your own clothes and only eat spiders?

I gave up my car in 2000, because I find it more enjoyable and convenient to cycle / walk / jog, so I wasn't motivated by helping the environment.
I regard commuting as stressful and a waste of time, so I've always organised things to live within a few km of work and gym, with safe routes.

However, that's only practical because I've no family and I'm lucky to be very fit. Anyone disabled or with small DCs or elderly parents would find car journeys much easier. Public transport is often impractical in rural areas.

I couldn't cycle to work, it's too far for me and I have lots of stuff to carry. Theoretically I could get fit enough to cycle but still have the bags to carry and how would I drop baby off and get there on time? Then I'd be a sweaty mess, with no possibility of a shower. Public transport is possible, but has time constraint. In my old house I could drive across town to work in about 15 mins. To take the bus took 45 at least due to the route.