to want to shout out 'OIL is not a never ending resource and it IS going to run out'

[beaniesteve]

Because I am fed up with all the emails I am getting about this Boycott and that protest. Before long Petrol will be so expensive that people will have to start looking at alternative methods of transport. We will have to get on our bikes, or use public transport regardless of how rubbish it is or how far away it is.

Am I being unreasonable to think that people just need to get real?

**NB this is in no way a comment about the other AIBU thread about Deisel, I only just noticed that one was at the top of the page)

Sorry, not sold on it.

1- too much trafffic with manian biker bullies who would run me over if the cars didn't.

2- It is more than 40 minutes I'm sure.

3- I would be wet, cold, and sweaty when I arrived at work and that would not be considered an acceptable appearance for the day.

BTW, we live in Sunbury. If I lived in Houndslow it would be a quick train ride with no changes to work and would definitely get on it.

I was harassed by a couple of bikers a couple of weeks ago and it really made me think that it was just one more reason to get out the car and onto public transport. But, it's not cost and time effective. So I can't do it unless I move (which is also not a cost effective option).

I would happily cycle more, but we have one road into our village and it is narrow and twisty, it would scare me to ride it on my own and certainly wouldnt consider it towing babies.
The parish council have asked for a cycle path/walking path to be provided to make it a little safer but have been refused - too expensive.
There is one return bus a day, if I got this bus I wouldnt be back in time to pick kids up from school, they go to the local school which I walk to.
So I dont think I have any alternative to my car.

Also, just come back from Sydney, we were staying in quite a rural area about 1 hour from sydney. The buses and trains were fantastic, easier to get anywhere on public tranport than a car, which did take us a while to get used to , but it can be done. Also, I know they have this stupid petrol price thing when petrol goes up on Wednesday or something but if you bought your petrol at the right time it was a lot cheaper than it is here.

Also, I just dont get all this plastic packaging, surely that is one very easy way to reduce the amount of oil we use, firstly the vast majority of it is not needed, it then goes into landfil, it adds to the cost of the product and what good does it actually do anybody.

turns out it's 9 1/2 miles. Sorry. Just guessed at 8. Not a big difference I suppose. But, I do think it is a requirement of my job to show up dressed professionally. And I don't think it's safe to ride a bike up the 316 in the dark. (it is dark when I leave for work and when I return in the winter)

Now, if there was a bus or a train that was reasonably priced and reliiable I could do that. But there isn't.

once again agree with riven (as I do with your posts on most subjects, riven!)

lots of people on here complaining about the costs of running a car (while at the same time strangely acknowledging that it is still the cheapest option available!) We have to face up to it: oil is running out - it's going to cost you more to run your car - either get a bike (which a lot of people here seem to be resisting for some truly weird reasons) or put up with it!

I am lucky enough to live in London with all the excellent transport options which I realise not everyone has, but my DH cycles everywhere and ALWAYS arrives home quicker than me so time is not the issue. IMO people are just lazy and don't want the perceived hassle of cycling, getting sweaty, negotiating traffic etc.

On the occasions when we have had to hire a car, we always comment on how mad people must be to drive every day if they can avoid it - it's hellish! At least on a bike / on foot you are getting some fresh air and exercise and on public transport you can read a book. It would take a lot to persuade me to get a car - I really hope we never need to get one. I just don't believe that it improves quality of life at all, but people who already have one need to be persuaded of this before they will consider giving it up.

Have only read OP, but just wanted to add my bit!

We try very hard not to use the car if we can help it. There is virtually no public transport (and we live in a city ) - the bus can take us to the out of town shopping centre, and that's about it. Dh cycles to work every day, we only have 1 car, it's a diesel, highly efficient, and we are still finding the prices a complete nightmare. I simply can't get the children places without the car - can't cycle with 3 of them! And too far for them to walk, although we do when we can. I resent the implication from some areas of the media that we are 'selfish' for complaining about the prices when are doing EVERYTHING we can to save fuel. Not to mention the household fuel prices.

We're 13 miles from town here.

And now there's a fight on, because the Forestry Commission wants to use the narrow, windy road for 44+ton logging lorries to travel on.

That's going to make cycling and walking on it even more safe - NOT.

No pavements on much of it and ditches and culverts on either side of it common.

I'm on a committee raised up to bring objections to their plans.

But I think a lot of city folk just don't understand truly what life is like in many rural areas.

I certainly didn't until we moved here.

There's the perception that everyone in rural areas is rich and professional and mobile.

But then there's a thread on here about travellers/tinkers and anyone who levels anything negative about them is racist. Where do they live? I can tell you it isn't in cities.

It goes to follow that not everyone in rural areas is wealthy and idle.

There are more and more families out there, as Scotland's housing market is proving very resilient and rents and house prices reflect this.

But there seems to be the perception we should re-enact the Highland Clearances and cram everyone into cities, which will then be beset with even bigger problems than a few too many cars.

Think long and hard, folks, because the good old days weren't always good.