Cycling, public transport and a family of 7!!

[Craggle]

Just a quick update. I know it's been a while!!!

We have been car-less now since October and we are still going strong. In fact, we won't be buying a car after our twelve months is up, we are going to remain car less. It has been a lot easier than I expected. Shopping, school runs, days out etc are a breeze and an adventure. Considering how much I was in to cars before this I am surprised at how anti-car I have become. I don't go around preaching or shouting at motorists but there are a few drivers out there that make my blood boil..... but anyway...

We now use trains for long journeys with not too many problems yet. Camping in Newquay (I live in Willenhall, West Mids) was our biggest challenge yet but we did it. A lot of people a surprised at what we are doing with several people saying we should be in the paper on the TV to inspire others.

The kids still love being in tow in their trailer and we now use child seats so we can use tow paths with out 'width' problems.

We didn't do it to be green but it has changed us for the better: we now recycle as much as we can: reduce the energy we are using: composting: wormery: wildlife garden etc...

I can't save the Earth but at least I know I'm not destroying it. Good luck to anyone else who tries it

[Paul mabbott]

Well done, keep up the good work.
Yes, it can be done - it's just that a lot of people don't want to think about it - needs a bit of planning and for people who have cars it's too easy just to jump in the vehicle and be off.
It is fairly easy to do without cars (or any other personal transport) if you live in big urban centres like London or South Yorks but not so easy for folks elsewhere.
Keep us up to date!

Originally Posted by Craggle

Just a quick update. I know it's been a while!!!

We have been car-less now since October and we are still going strong. In fact, we won't be buying a car after our twelve months is up, we are going to remain car less. It has been a lot easier than I expected. Shopping, school runs, days out etc are a breeze and an adventure. Considering how much I was in to cars before this I am surprised at how anti-car I have become. I don't go around preaching or shouting at motorists but there are a few drivers out there that make my blood boil..... but anyway...

We now use trains for long journeys with not too many problems yet. Camping in Newquay (I live in Willenhall, West Mids) was our biggest challenge yet but we did it. A lot of people a surprised at what we are doing with several people saying we should be in the paper on the TV to inspire others.

The kids still love being in tow in their trailer and we now use child seats so we can use tow paths with out 'width' problems.

We didn't do it to be green but it has changed us for the better: we now recycle as much as we can: reduce the energy we are using: composting: wormery: wildlife garden etc...

I can't save the Earth but at least I know I'm not destroying it. Good luck to anyone else who tries it

[Ian Gray]

Hi Craggle,
Keep it up. I've now been without a car for 15 years. I'ts probably
easier for me as I don't have a young family, just myself to look after.
I just enjoy the freedom of it. I tend to take long holidays which
can last upto 6 months, then my home becomes a tent which sits on my
back much like a snail. Not having a car with you at these times
means you don't have to return to something, just take off
and explore. You can't beat it.


Ian

[Craggle]

I thought we were doing something different from the norm but I didn't think the papers would be interested. We are in The Mirror today,our story is in between Gordan Brown and Prince William!! Here's my fifteen minutes of fame

[Jez]

Have always remembered the guards carriage could house a few bikes when diesel was the fuel but just because it is'nt the fuel to burn why can't trains supply a bike carriage to house tandems, solos to commune between places of visit? Global warming has been threatend for a decade i can recall at least but every body is ignoring it why? Why has the cyclist been forgotten? If i was running a train company i'd have a premade train carriage offering top secure holding and have top friendly staff compliant to safe hold our machines. This would surely work with 10,000 miles of nation cycle network to cover the train seem the intergrasion to perfect cycling holiday.

[Digiscoper62]

Originally Posted by Craggle

J

We now use trains for long journeys with not too many problems yet. Camping in Newquay (I live in Willenhall, West Mids) was our biggest challenge yet but we did it. A lot of people a surprised at what we are doing with several people saying we should be in the paper on the TV to inspire others.

The kids still love being in tow in their trailer and we now use child seats so we can use tow paths with out 'width' problems.

We didn't do it to be green but it has changed us for the better: we now recycle as much as we can: reduce the energy we are using: composting: wormery: wildlife garden etc...

I can't save the Earth but at least I know I'm not destroying it. Good luck to anyone else who tries it

I really enjoyed reading your story
Well done for what ever reason you done it, one more car off the road is a good thing in my book. :-)

(PS Im not anti-car, just think too may people use them too much)

[clover green]

I also really enjoyed reading your story and I admire your courage, especially with a big family, but you have shown it can be done. As Digiscoper said we rely on cars too much! We used to have 2 cars, but now have just the one. I am able to use my bicycle to get to work ( it takes 8 mins) and to the shops, etc. So sharing the one car hasn't been too much of a hindrance and plus the cycling helps to keep me fit, so it has worked out ok for us.

[nelly]

There's something slightly arrogant about people who have had the luxury of a car and then have chosen not to use it. There's also something admiring about them too!

I've never had a car. Could never afford to, and its a nightmare for us. We live in a small town with nothing to do, we cant go to many events as we can't get there without trouble, the kids can only go to places nearby, my daughter is 15 and if she is in trouble and needs picking up i have to rely on other people!

We love to go camping, but when i have bravely ventured out with my tent and laden down with luggage, people are rude and unhelpful and we find ourselves standing around waiting for public transport which is infrequent and often late!

Freedom to be without a car?! I'm a prisoner, trapped without one

I make myself feel better by knowing its good for the environment but when you have spent 30 years using public transport, bicycles and walking on foot it gets more than a little tiresome.

[foxy mars]

Don't feel so bad it, having no car, I don't have one either. I have been all over the uk, using the buses or trains and have managed to do so. It is a pain to carry all the luggage, I know how you feel. I somethinks think, would'nt it be nice a have a car. But that can troublesome, having to park it, extra camp-site fees.

I must admit the public transport over the last 30 years as suffered a bit, but I guess I'm lucky seeing I live in a very large town and live close to the North York moors which is only a hour away on the train.