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AIBU?

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Original poster

To say car ownership shouldn't be seen as the default

451 replies

Sidslaw · 06/09/2023 17:33

several posts on here about financial problems, all claiming the car is "needed" and not up for discussion

People tend to set up their lives with the assumption that they will drive - surely with the climate in the stat it is in it should now be the other way around? People to set up their lives with the assumption that they will not drive, as the default.

I don't drive, I am dyspraxic, so can't and always knew I wouldn't, and it has never been an issue, as I have chosen the places I live and the jobs I do on that basis. I use public transport, walking, cycling, taxis. I have raised my family as a single mother like this, and my children ( not dyspraxic) have grown up to set up their lives the same.

There is always going to be people who rightly or wrongly think they are an exception, but surely the default should be, don't own a car, don't drive?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
SamphiretheTervosaurReturneth · 06/09/2023 19:47

TheaBrandt · 06/09/2023 17:50

Agree. People haven’t realised yet the car ownership era is over. It’s not sustainable for so many reasons. Like the numpties that whine that people riding bikes slows them down 🙄

That s is one of those moments when I realise just what people mean by the MN clique

Nightsku · 06/09/2023 19:49

Easy to say when you have never been able to have the option to drive.

So because you can’t, everyone else shouldn’t either.

FarEast · 06/09/2023 19:50

YANBU @Sidslaw but I’ll bet that most posters will say you are. The entitlement to driving and car ownership is like a national religion.

Like you, I run my life quite easily not driving.

Sooty20235 · 06/09/2023 19:52

Our area isn't even that rural but only has a bus once a week! There would be absolutely no safe way to cycle to any nearby town especially because of a huge increase in traffic due to hs2 construction. My dream for the UK is to have all the old disused railways turned into cycle tracks. That would be an amazing way to get around. I love cycling but the roads and driver around us are horrific.

Scatterbrainbox · 06/09/2023 19:53

There isn't space for everyone to live in major cities with good transport links.
And they are usually expensive places to live.

WWYDIYWMRN · 06/09/2023 19:56

YANBU, but most won't want to hear it. Yes some people do need cars but a lot really don't. Most households really don't need more than one.

However, everyone has a reason why they are the exception.

FaeWings · 06/09/2023 19:59

I chose to live where I live because its:
Near my parents
Surrounded by beautiful countryside
Has good schools
Has a solid church community
Feels like home
Feels safe (most of the time)
Could actually afford to buy my own home

I wouldn't give all that up to live somewhere with better public transport so that I could give up my car because someone on Mumsnet thinks I shouldn't be driving.

But I do think government and councils should be investing in public transport and in little town centres so that it is easier for more people to reduce their driving hours.

Sleepyblueocean · 06/09/2023 20:01

"Your complete lack of empathy for a family with a child needing frequent visits to a children’s hospital is staggering."

I find that lack of empathy is pretty much universal in people who start threads like these.

Wiccan · 06/09/2023 20:04

It seems as though all the really bat shit crazy climate activists tend to live quite privileged lives while pontificating to others from what I've seen . I think we are all just trying to get around in our lives the easiest way we can . I do care about the problems with the planet but to be honest I really don't have a fucking clue what to do about it.bI try to use and buy as little as possible but I have one life and I'm gonna live it .

RamsesTheChub · 06/09/2023 20:07

"FarEast

YANBU @Sidslaw but I’ll bet that most posters will say you are. The entitlement to driving and car ownership is like a national religion.

Like you, I run my life quite easily not driving."

Has a driver ever demanded you give up your merry life drive around instead? You say drivers are entitled.... then judge them by your standards.

BintuBintu · 06/09/2023 20:11

RamsesTheChub · 06/09/2023 20:07

"FarEast

YANBU @Sidslaw but I’ll bet that most posters will say you are. The entitlement to driving and car ownership is like a national religion.

Like you, I run my life quite easily not driving."

Has a driver ever demanded you give up your merry life drive around instead? You say drivers are entitled.... then judge them by your standards.

No, because more cars on the road is bad for everyone, including drivers (congestion)

Meceme · 06/09/2023 20:13

I live in a small Yorkshire village. Its where I grew up, my family and community is close by.
The last bus service here was cut 20 years ago. NO buses stop here.
The nearest bus stop is 3 miles away, the nearest train station 8 miles.
The school I worked in was 17 miles away and the parent I care for 3 miles in the opposite direction. The closest local school is 7 miles, doctor 5 miles, supermarket 7 miles. Not in the same direction.
So, no... I won't be giving up my car for your luxury beliefs.

RamsesTheChub · 06/09/2023 20:17

@BintuBintu

So it's the drivers you're worried about, course.

As a PP pointed out, there are a myriad of things people could suggest others do, that they themselves already do - usually for pure convenience/enjoyment - which people would be annoyed with.

Incentivise going greener with the infrastructure and options to improve life and you'll get your way. Judging, banning, ordering, ain't going to work.

ohtowinthelottery · 06/09/2023 20:19

There's a town 8 miles from me which has no access to trains (thanks to Mr Beeching) and a very poor bus service. Our local MP is being very vocal about the plight of people in this town who struggle to get anywhere without cars. To get the the general hospital from this town takes 30 mins by car and 3 1/2 hours by public transport - only if you need to get there in the daytime on a weekday - otherwise not possible at all. And yet the Local Authority keep giving planning permission for hundreds of houses to be built there and when they're built they give permission for a few hundred more.

cherryscola · 06/09/2023 20:19

The reason I was so quick to learn to drive was because I didn't feel safe walking or taking public transport back on my own from places at night when I was in my late teens.

Sad but true - will be encouraging my daughter to learn as soon as possible for the same reason.

BintuBintu · 06/09/2023 20:20

RamsesTheChub · 06/09/2023 20:17

@BintuBintu

So it's the drivers you're worried about, course.

As a PP pointed out, there are a myriad of things people could suggest others do, that they themselves already do - usually for pure convenience/enjoyment - which people would be annoyed with.

Incentivise going greener with the infrastructure and options to improve life and you'll get your way. Judging, banning, ordering, ain't going to work.

Edited

I don't understand what you're saying, how does that relate to my post

Flopsythebunny · 06/09/2023 20:20

Sidslaw · 06/09/2023 18:22

You can use a taxi on those days, - using a taxi for appointments is cheaper and less environmentally damaging than owning a car which has depleted the earth's resources to be made, and spend more than 95% of its time taking up space without doing anything

Show quote history

Seriously? Last time I ordered a taxi, it turned up nearly 45 minutes late and I missed my hospital appointment

cherryscola · 06/09/2023 20:20

For that matter - I STILL don't feel safe travelling by public transport or walking on my own at night

youhavenoshameonyourface · 06/09/2023 20:21

I used to be an avid environmentalist, but I've begun to think that saving our arses is more selfish than burning them.

The planet and nature will reregulate once we're gone.

So
I'm going to drive my car, fly in a plane, heat my house.

Let's speed up this inevitable process, drastically reduce the human race to a few dozen survivors in the Mongolion plains, and let nature get back to it's own equilibrium without us.

Don't stop oil. Don't rebel against extinction. We need to snuff ourselves out if this planet has any real chance of survival.

Op - your just selfish with your human survivalist attitude.

1smallhamsterfoot · 06/09/2023 20:22

I don’t have any, which is far better for the environment 😁😁😁

BintuBintu · 06/09/2023 20:22

youhavenoshameonyourface · 06/09/2023 20:21

I used to be an avid environmentalist, but I've begun to think that saving our arses is more selfish than burning them.

The planet and nature will reregulate once we're gone.

So
I'm going to drive my car, fly in a plane, heat my house.

Let's speed up this inevitable process, drastically reduce the human race to a few dozen survivors in the Mongolion plains, and let nature get back to it's own equilibrium without us.

Don't stop oil. Don't rebel against extinction. We need to snuff ourselves out if this planet has any real chance of survival.

Op - your just selfish with your human survivalist attitude.

This is probably the most depressing thing I've read on this site.

Skethylita · 06/09/2023 20:24

youhavenoshameonyourface · 06/09/2023 20:21

I used to be an avid environmentalist, but I've begun to think that saving our arses is more selfish than burning them.

The planet and nature will reregulate once we're gone.

So
I'm going to drive my car, fly in a plane, heat my house.

Let's speed up this inevitable process, drastically reduce the human race to a few dozen survivors in the Mongolion plains, and let nature get back to it's own equilibrium without us.

Don't stop oil. Don't rebel against extinction. We need to snuff ourselves out if this planet has any real chance of survival.

Op - your just selfish with your human survivalist attitude.

I hope to goddess you don't have children so you don't wish this upon them.

CrunchyCarrot · 06/09/2023 20:24

People tend to set up their lives with the assumption that they will drive - surely with the climate in the stat it is in it should now be the other way around? People to set up their lives with the assumption that they will not drive, as the default.

Well OK let's run with that. I presume, since you think car emissions are majorly affecting climate, then you would want this transition to happen quickly? So let's say by 2030 most people would not own a car. Now in practice how will that work? What will happen to village life? How will all those millions of people who normally travel by car do their normal routines? We will need a huge amount of infrastructure improvements in order to get people from A to B.

I just don't think you can say because in the past most people didn't drive, therefore we can do it again, can apply here (or at least, not without major changes and investment being made). To get it done in time to curb climate change? Very difficult. Not saying we shouldn't attempt to reduce car usage, but for most people to not use cars I think is unrealistic, at least over this time frame.

Edit for typos

RamsesTheChub · 06/09/2023 20:25

@BintuBintu

Ok, perhaps I misunderstood, but I thought you were adding an 'upside' to this silly nonsense as though it's for drivers' benefit, which seems like whatabouttery to me.

Apologies if wrong (assumptions and all that), but it's what most anti-driver people do.

orangegato · 06/09/2023 20:26

Until WFH is an option for 100% of the time, how can you suggest people don’t have cars? My journey is 30 mins in the car each was vs two hours on the bus (which includes 20 walks at either end). What are you smoking OP?

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