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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that no-one will choose to swap cars for public transport when it's still easier / cheaper / faster to drive?

352 replies

BogstandardBelle · 08/03/2019 16:20

Since starting a new job 18 months ago I have used public transport to get there and back 3 days a week. I leave my house, walk 10 minutes to the metro, spend around 20 minutes on the metro with one change in between, then walk around 15 minutes at the other end to arrive at work. I always assumed that (living in a big busy city) it was cheaper and easier to travel this way and never really considered driving.

This morning I needed to take some heavy bags into work, so I decided to drive. I left around 15 minutes later than usual and still arrived at the same time! And I didn't need to walk anywhere or share my space with hundreds of coughing / sneezing / inconsiderate / odd people en route. The cost was negligible compared to the 64 euros I spend each month on a metro ticket.

I'm really disappointed! I know that the exercise is good for me, and god knows the air pollution problem in my city doesn't need yet another single occupancy, short distance car journey being added to it. But it was so much easier / more pleasant than using public transport... and now I know how easy it was, there's going to be a little voice saying "just take the car...".

So it is unreasonable to expect people to give up their cars when public transport is actually more expensive, less convenient and overall harder work than driving? I used to think that all the motorists clogging up the roads / causing the pollution were BU, but now I'm not so sure.

OP posts:
PiebaldHamster · 10/03/2019 18:53

Two of my good friends have electric bikes. They're retired and they bike as a hobby. A decent electric bike is £1000.

RedPanda2 · 10/03/2019 18:53

I really miss reading on public transport. I used get through so many books. Then the restructuring of the city centre started and now the bus stop is a 30 minute walk to work, uphill. It was ok for a bit but now I drive in. God knows what non able bodied non drivers do

ivykaty44 · 10/03/2019 18:53

Piebald how does an electric bike cost more than a car? With car tax, insurance and fuel costs an electric bike will be cheaper to run. I did point out that it was an alternative in only some circumstances, but you seem determined to be negative throughout the thread about anything with just two wheels. Cycling might not be for you, but for many it maybe a less expensive running cost mode of transport.

KatyMac · 10/03/2019 18:55

We chose to move from country to town, to get rid of one car and to cycle

It was the right decision for us

rarely get (adult) DD on a bike but she happily goes most places by train

Different people have different needs

CordeliaEarhart · 10/03/2019 19:42

The route I drive to work would be safe to cycle for a lot of the year and my work has space to store bikes. However, we only one shower which doesn't appear to get cleaned very often and (frankly) I much prefer privacy when I'm getting showered/dressed so I simply am not going to be cycling in. Great for those who want to, and have safe routes, but lots of people have good reasons not to cycle.

I didn't bother having a car til my late 20s and despite having a car I generally take the train when I'm going in to the city. I like public transport when it works. But it isn't practical for a lot of people. Where I live public transport is totally geared towards getting in and out of the city and you're screwed if you need to go anywhere else.

greenelephantscarf · 10/03/2019 19:51

if you cycle like the dutch/danes/swedish/german then you don't need a shower after.
leisurely pace in work clothes.

CordeliaEarhart · 10/03/2019 20:09

I wouldn't do a full day at work without showering after a bike ride. How slow do people cycle to be able to go 4 miles without sweating?!

Handay · 10/03/2019 20:11

Actually I think it mings to cycle to work and not shower then sit there all day in clothes you've been exercising in. I couldn't feel comfortable.

Also, and I know this is petty and specific to me, but there's a guy in our office who braves the dual carriageway and cycles in but when he gets there he's mafting so he opens all the windows and fucks everyone off.

Gwenhwyfar · 10/03/2019 20:58

"How slow do people cycle to be able to go 4 miles without sweating?!"

I sweat if I walk in (45mins) but don't feel the need to shower afterwards.
It's not the same kind of sweating as I get if I go on the treadmill. It's mainly my lower back etc., not running down my face and I imagine cycling would be similar.

Gwenhwyfar · 10/03/2019 21:02

" I live in rural North Wales there is no possible way that you could cater to everyone who needs transport, and the public transport we already have is woeful as it is"

I grew up in semi-rural north Wales and we had some subsidised lines so it IS possible to improve things a bit. Of course, if you live very rurally you will still need a car, but there are areas where public transport can help.

In mid Wales they have the book a bus system, which is a kind of cross between bus and taxi.
www.bwcabus.traveline-cymru.info/about-us/

Vulpine · 10/03/2019 21:07

If youre fit cycling isn't hard work and doesnt make you sweat

CordeliaEarhart · 10/03/2019 21:13

I'd want to shower and change if I had noticeably sweated on my way in to work. I like the look of the book a bus system though. I'm suburban rather than rural so that kind of thing could work in my area.

CordeliaEarhart · 10/03/2019 21:14

Surely that depends on the person, speed and route though vulpine? The Tour de France riders are all super fit and they definitely get sweaty!

adaline · 10/03/2019 21:27

So @Vulpine you think you could cycle through the fell roads in the Lake District for 25 miles and not sweat? Really?

Because that would be my commute by bicycle. It's just not possible. And even if I was by some miracle fit enough it would be bloody dangerous and downright stupid to attempt it in winter.

ivykaty44 · 10/03/2019 21:42

This chap has other ideas for his 46 mile commute

Handay · 10/03/2019 21:48

The guy in our office who cycles in definitely sweats. I can see it on his forehead, armpits and back (as he's opening windows). It's kind of gross.

katienana · 10/03/2019 21:50

I used to get the bus to work before I learned to drive. For the bus I had to be out of the house for 8.10 at the latest to get to work for 9. Driving I could literally leave at 8.50 and be on time! This was driving right into the city centre. It was so good getting home at 5.15 instead of 6pm.

Singletomingle · 10/03/2019 22:01

If I were to use public transport to work I would go from an 11 hour day to 14 hours away frim home. It would cost me about £15 a day which is roughly the same it costs me to drive per week. I also live in an area where public transport is notoriously unreliable so can guarantee I'd be late or have no train home at least once a week.

Allergictoironing · 10/03/2019 22:08

Hmm, the chap who cycles his 46 mile commute appears to be a bike race competitor, so not your typical commuter. Plus I didn't see anything about whether he showers when he gets in to work, or whether he sweats

SammySamSam09 · 10/03/2019 22:10

It takes me 14 minutes to get to town in my car. It takes 50 minutes on the bus.
I have a disabled child so yeah I'm keeping my car!

Rezie · 10/03/2019 22:20

It would be quicker for me to get to work by car and cheaper if only calculating the petrol. Because I use public transport (or cycling) to get to work, I don't need a car so it is definitely cheaper. Renting a parking space in my building cost £70/month. Renting a space at work is £15/month and then petrol, insurance, fixing and the actual car would end up costing more. With bus it takes me 5 min walk, 20 min bus and then 5 min walk. With car it would be about 10 minutes. With bike it is about 20 min.

But this all depends on the location of home and work, how good the public transport network is and how much there is trafic.

ivykaty44 · 10/03/2019 22:47

Allergic

www.stratford-herald.com/86733-search-underway-longest-cycle-work.html

I know JLR have put money in to get the M49 changed as the cars queue on the slip road. I also know people can take 30 minutes to leave the site at Gaydon each day 5 hours a week sat in the car park can’t be fun

nutellalove · 10/03/2019 22:55

YANBU. If the government want to help air pollution they should take steps to reduce the cost of public transport and make it more reliable and comfortable.

BikeRunSki · 10/03/2019 23:01

If the government want to help air pollution they should take steps to reduce the cost of public transport and make it more reliable and comfortable.

I’d just like some availability!

ivykaty44 · 10/03/2019 23:07

Nutella air pollution is long term & car manufacturers need to be kept sweet - though they look to be leaving for one reason or another- but freezing fuel for 8/9 years is a much better way of keeping voters on side than helping people catch buses