How many cars do we really need

[papasmurf]

Who built that wall Wiggles , Mr Magoo ?

It looks like those bricks are around 300 years old, which may mean Wiggles lives in a listed building.

(Lime mortar is like superglue, adjustments after laying are not possible.)

[johnofgwent]

A few years ago when top gear was on the bbc, Chris 'gone in 60 sec', 'dr who' Ecclestone was the star in a cheap.car.



He had just passed his test.



He had no license when filming 'gone in 60'



He said he didnt need one. He lived, worked, and rarely went outside london.



He challenged Clarkson to a race on the london marathon course. He would run, Clarkson could drive whatever he liked. The race to start at 8:30 on a monday....



Fact is, non car ownership ONLY works in london

[Streetwalker]

I think having space to keep them should be a condition. I don't believe single household should have more than one car unless they have space on their driveway or garage. My wife and I just have the three cars, but all kept on or in our property. A day to day car for shopping and golf etc, my wife's sports car, and my vintage Austin A30.

https://i.imgur.com/p548yb3.jpg">

Who built that wall Wiggles , Mr Magoo ?

[Wiggles]

I think having space to keep them should be a condition. I don't believe single household should have more than one car unless they have space on their driveway or garage. My wife and I just have the three cars, but all kept on or in our property. A day to day car for shopping and golf etc, my wife's sports car, and my vintage Austin A30.

https://i.imgur.com/p548yb3.jpg">

[Baron von Lotsov]

Interesting post Barry.



In my part of London public transport is frequent and reliable. I don't know that it is so cheap but most everyone uses it.



And everyone has a car. Which are taken out at the weekends. Sometimes.



I think that it is a status thing.

It's definitely a status thing.



Mind you, you'd think the girls would be more after the bloke without a car because he's going to have strong and lean legs and no flab.



Some Dutch artist once did piece of art which was caricature of all the different EU countries. For Germany the Krauts were represented by a Scalextric set. It was endlessly driving around and around a track forever and ever.

[Thomas]

London one of worst capitals in Europe for clean, safe transport, study shows



Exclusive: UK capital has the most expensive public transport, third-worst air quality and is one of most dangerous to walk and cycle, study of 13 cities reveals

[/b]

London is trailing behind other major European capitals in its effort to create a clean, affordable and safe transport system, according to a new report.



The study of 13 cities found London has the joint third worst air quality after Moscow and Paris, as well as the most expensive public transport and the highest number of cycling accidents

[/b]



https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/may/22/london-one-of-worst-capital-cities-in-europe-for-clean-safe-transport-study-shows">https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/201 ... tudy-shows">https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/may/22/london-one-of-worst-capital-cities-in-europe-for-clean-safe-transport-study-shows

[Thomas]

I can understand why people need cars, but in a family, couldn't they share more?

Wouldnt that depend on may factors barry?



If everyone is working in different directions , and more of us are travelling further and further to work than in the past , not sure sharing is necessarily an option.



The uk is well know for having one of the worst public transport networks in developed countries .Until they get that under control , in terms of cost , congestion  , and the general misery of commuting im not sure cars are going anywhere nor motoring habits.

Ten Countries on the Expat's Moving List that do Public Transport better than Britain

[/b]

Moving abroad can be a fraught and testing experience. One thing the expat does not need is a repeat of the familiar misery of commuting, only made more complicated in the transfer to another country.



So it should come as a pleasant surprise that, compared with the UK's antiquated and often inadequate public transport, the provision in many, if not most cities in Europe, Scandinavia and North America is far superior.



In Europe, for example, convenient street level tram systems are common in many cities and large towns, and underground metro systems are widespread. (In the UK only London can complete, with its now creaking Underground – while in the provinces only a few places such as Manchester and Nottingham run trams.)



Good public transport means the expat worker may not need that second car, and in many cities there is a case for not even owning a first car.



And there's another big benefit. Good integrated transport means that children can travel easily – and safely – across town to schools and social events.

[/b]



https://www.movehub.com/blog/ten-countries-beat-britains-transport/">https://www.movehub.com/blog/ten-countr ... transport/">https://www.movehub.com/blog/ten-countries-beat-britains-transport/



Anyone who has lived or travelled abroad can relate to this article and agree with it.

[Barry]

Same here ,I use it  ,its cheap ,very cheap , in fact its free for us over 60,s ,you must qualify Borkie ?



But yes too many cars now cant really see any point of having one in London so don't .

Here in the West Mids the public transport is OK but once you get into the stix it's not so good. Having said that, I often wait 20 minutes for a bus which is supposed to go every 8 minutes. I can't have a bus pass. If I lived in Wales or Scotland, yes, but here I have to wait until I am 66.

But, unlike Wales, we have a decent health service, instead.

I can understand why people need cars, but in a family, couldn't they share more?

Some years back I admit I had a "spare" cheap car just in case the main one broke down. Then I lived a half hour walk from civilisation or provision.

[Thomas]

I think that it is a status thing.

No sure about that borkie  ,as i said i think it depends on where you live and what you use it for.



We have just changed our car , but then i need/use it as we have a large touring caravan to tow. When its not being used for caravaning , lucky if my wife will do 100 miles in it over the week.



To be honest i hate the feckin things , a never ending bottomless pit of money for running costs and servicing etc.You open the fuel flap on this new one and there are two caps inside , the second one is whats called "ad blue".



Apparently its a modern technique designed for combating diesel emmissions , its sprays this chemical in the exhaust  , there is a chemical reaction and it neutralizes the diesel emmissions to meet eu regs.

[Thomas]

Same here ,I use it  ,its cheap ,very cheap , in fact its free for us over 60,s ,you must qualify Borkie ?



But yes too many cars now cant really see any point of having one in London so don't .

Same as glasgow streetwalker , or most big cities. Trains , underground and buses that run everywhere practically 24/7.



Living out in the sticks or for work really is the only reason to need a vehicle these days in my opinion.

[Streetwalker]

Interesting post Barry.



In my part of London public transport is frequent and reliable. I don't know that it is so cheap but most everyone uses it.

Same here ,I use it  ,its cheap ,very cheap , in fact its free for us over 60,s ,you must qualify Borkie ?



But yes too many cars now cant really see any point of having one in London so don't .

[papasmurf]

My wife and I have one car, one solo motorcycles and two sidecar outfits. (I may be getting another solo motorcycle later in the year.)

The car is used for shopping, going on holiday, and getting to various medical appointments.

One sidecar outfit which is now so old it's value is going up is used as a truck to get materials for Destroy-It-Your self project and taking things to the local reclamation depot.

The solo motorcycle and the other sidecar outfit are used to go to motorcycle rallies. The sidecar being used to carry all the camping kit and other luggage.

[Borchester]

In my street:

Over the road live a man, wife and teenage son. They each have a car. They also have a sporty thing they get out at weekends to polish and love it up.

Chap lives with his young daughter up from them a bit. He's got two cars in his drive and one he works on in his garage. He's in a wheelchair and I admire his ability to get things done, but I wonder why he needs so many cars, a hobby perhaps.

The lady opposite has only one car. :tick:

Next door, a middle aged couple, she drives, he doesnt, they have a 3 cars in the drive.

Next door the other side has 2 cars, his and hers which I can understand because his is a company car and hers is for everything else.

My drive has the Ioniq sitting there (Cromwell  :thup: ) and we have space for 2 more cars since we had the front block paved.

So, why does everyone seem to have more than 1 car per driver and a lot of them end up parked half on the pavement?

 :rant:

Apparently there are 32.5 million cars in the UK and 40.7 million full driving licence holders. If only public transport was easier and cheaper.

Interesting post Barry.



In my part of London public transport is frequent and reliable. I don't know that it is so cheap but most everyone uses it.



And everyone has a car. Which are taken out at the weekends. Sometimes.



I think that it is a status thing.

[T00ts]

In my street:

Over the road live a man, wife and teenage son. They each have a car. They also have a sporty thing they get out at weekends to polish and love it up.

Chap lives with his young daughter up from them a bit. He's got two cars in his drive and one he works on in his garage. He's in a wheelchair and I admire his ability to get things done, but I wonder why he needs so many cars, a hobby perhaps.

The lady opposite has only one car. :tick:

Next door, a middle aged couple, she drives, he doesnt, they have a 3 cars in the drive.

Next door the other side has 2 cars, his and hers which I can understand because his is a company car and hers is for everything else.

My drive has the Ioniq sitting there (Cromwell  :thup: ) and we have space for 2 more cars since we had the front block paved.

So, why does everyone seem to have more than 1 car per driver and a lot of them end up parked half on the pavement?

 :rant:

Apparently there are 32.5 million cars in the UK and 40.7 million full driving licence holders. If only public transport was easier and cheaper.

I just had a think around my road and everyone seems to have the right number of cars that are used each day, until I get to someone who has obviously lost most of his formerly very clever marbles and he has a sports and a hatchback both of which have never been started since I arrived here - 6 years - and one has the window open. Both nice vehicles in the beginning but now I would imagine they are in a poor state.  Perhaps you live in an area of hotwheelers!  

[Barry]

In my street:

Over the road live a man, wife and teenage son. They each have a car. They also have a sporty thing they get out at weekends to polish and love it up.

Chap lives with his young daughter up from them a bit. He's got two cars in his drive and one he works on in his garage. He's in a wheelchair and I admire his ability to get things done, but I wonder why he needs so many cars, a hobby perhaps.

The lady opposite has only one car. :tick:

Next door, a middle aged couple, she drives, he doesnt, they have a 3 cars in the drive.

Next door the other side has 2 cars, his and hers which I can understand because his is a company car and hers is for everything else.

My drive has the Ioniq sitting there (Cromwell  :thup: ) and we have space for 2 more cars since we had the front block paved.

So, why does everyone seem to have more than 1 car per driver and a lot of them end up parked half on the pavement?

 :rant:

Apparently there are 32.5 million cars in the UK and 40.7 million full driving licence holders. If only public transport was easier and cheaper.