What would convince you to ditch the car on school runs?

[amispeakingintongues]

Just that really.

Hit me with your suggestions please.

The assumption that people could walk more seems to be based on an idea that women have very little else to do with their time than preventing global warming.

Yip these are always aimed at mums. And you're the lowest of the low if you dare drive anything with a bit of height that makes life easier on your back getting little kids in and out.

Never a word said about the flash sports cars the gussel fuel that do more damage than the average SUV.

Good point!

Sorry didn’t quote you in my last - Good point re the time and fuel saved!

Like this idea. Thanks!

Totally get that, driving is unavoidable in those circumstances.

An extra hour in every day would give me a head start, then a new pelvis and knees so my child that can't predictably walk far could be carried without causing me more pain.

Being closer to the school.
Less dog shit all over the paths.

A pavement.

The country lane school is on has no pavement. Would only be about 40 min walk then. DS will sometimes walk home through the woods but it takes him well over an hour. He gets some lovely photos of the wildlife though! But it's not feasible to do that in the mornings when I have to drop the off at 7:30 to get to work for 8.

I think unless it becomes v expensive, people will always organise their lives around having a car and being able to drive to places. Currently because it's relatively cheap to have a car people often live long distances from schools, have multiple drop offs etc.

I see your point, but the topic is bigger than that. What bothers me the most is poor air quality - I (and I don’t think anyone) wants their child breathing toxic air and that is unfortunately the situation in most cities. Its not just mums either - its everyone’s responsibility. School drops offs is one example. But I guess mums are largely doing drop offs in this case so i get that point, i’m just saying its a more local and immediate issue than climate change

@Dinoteeth yep you are exactly right, people seem to forget that there are legitimate jobs that’s actually rely on cars as well really gets on my wick when people tell me to use my car less, I literally can’t

Unless of course people suddenly stop needing carers or community nurses which is unlikely considering they’re pushing for more hospital at home

If it wasn’t up several big arse hills, tackling them with a double buggy and a birthing injury we’d definitely walk

I've never driven and I really attribute some of my overall health to this. I walk a good few hours every week, but I think if I had a car I'd be so much more lazy and the only thing that stops you being lazy is wanting to not be more than wanting to be.

DS not being autistic.

Free or very cheap public transport

School not being 20 miles away. This being the only school that is able to meet my older DS's autistic and LD needs.

A school bus that is direct and does not take an hour and 20 minutes compared to my 30-40 minutes. One that Ds1 does not get hopelessly travel sick on. One that does not leave school at 5 pm and gets him home at circa 6.30 pm when the school day is long enougn already.

basically a world that adapted better to special needs and did not automatically blame us or condemn us for the needs we have and which tells us we have to try harder about climate change.

School is 9 miles away, one kid plays trumpet, the other viola, they schlep cricket bags and tennis racquets and dioramas and book bags, some days we lift share...

This.

A bus that goes there. It's out of catchment, but an outstanding school ten miles away. Technically the address is

School
Street
Village
My town name
Post code

but there is no bus between the village and the town. We have been in a car share with 2 other families, but with 5 kids at the school next year we need to run 2 cars each way and will try to find another family or two to fill up the spaces.

On the days I work. Not having to start work at 8:30 with a 40 min commute. Literally banging in the door of breakfast club then dashing back in my car.
On the days I don’t I prob manage walking 50% of the time. The other 50 % of the time it’s just not getting three kids ready on time for a 15 min walk before start of day or crap weather.
Dont think you can do much about either of those things.

Ds taxi to his special school is always late so I have to jump in the car to get dd to school on time .
If we had a reliable taxi driver who turned up when he should I'd happily walk 🤷‍♀️

Caroline Criado Perez talks about this in The Invisible Woman. Women ‘trip chain’ e.g. drop children off at school on the way to work or go shopping on the way home. But our transport systems, both public transport and prioritised roads are housing hubs to working hubs and back.

We're 15 minutes walk from school. My two scoot.

Our neighbour always drives. Between parking and getting the kids in and out it doesn't work out any quicker.

We're close to our city centre with regular buses and people on my road drive in. I guess people just really love their cars.