I have not had a car for a few years. This change in lifestyle was evolutionary, rather than revolutionary with the process starting some ten years ago when my car was no longer needed to get to work. For a few years, it was used mainly for trips to visit far flung family, an exercise better done by plane, bus or train. During this early phase, I learnt the meaning of "cost of convenience".
Later one of our daughters returned to Canberra without a car, so she borrowed mine, and it was during this period the old 10 speeder came into play. At the time I was doing a fair bit of volunteering work, so I put the miles on and started to relearn all the things about bikes that hadn't been put to use since the 50's. The only time I saw the car this period was when it needed repair, so I learnt the meaning of "cost of family!".
Finally, as though on cue, the car died on its 20th birthday while the youngest daughter was driving it. We had the car towed into Goulburn and there for all I know, is where it still is. Four years on from that day, I can now look back and note I am still alive, the world hasn't come to an end and guess I have had access to money for purposes other than a car.
Getting around locally is by bike, boots or bus. Bus whenever the distace or weather is beyond me, boots are made for walking, and there is a fair bit of that in my lifestyle, and the bike, well, it gets me around most of the time, about 32,000 Kms in that period. Half of that I guess is shopping as I do all that. Bought a couple of Doug Thompson saddle bags and use them virtually every day.
Travelling elsewhere requires a bit of planning. The beauty of the car of course was you could just jump in it and go, anyway, for some Pedal Power trips I have been fortunate to be passenger to a car traveller and sharing costs makes it easier for the car owner as well.
Countrylink has been used a few times, you have to box you bike, but after the first time, that is no big deal. City Rail has special provision for bikes, and this is very convenient as boxing is not part of the City Rail travel experience. Next time I go to Sydney, I will ride to Goulburn and catch the City rail service which extends to Bombaderry in the south and Newcastle to the north.
My one plane experience was a no problem arrangement with Qantas, in fact their boxes were bigger than the Countrylink ones, making it even easier to box. And my one experiece on a bus was real good, just shove the bikes on and go. I understand however, that this is not the norm.
If I need a car when out of State, it's hired. If my wife and I go out, we use her car and she drives. There are however, a couple of problems when irregularly driving a car. The first is that your driving skills tend to drop away, and secondly my stress levels shoot up to levels unseen since my regular driving days.
My licence is due real soon now. It will be renewed as I suspect events of the future may well require it. In the meantime, bike, boots and bus it shall be.
