How do you get around?

[trampledamage]

Except for during the winter, I'll walk everywhere that's close - bear in mind I'll be walking with a 4 1/2 yearsand 2 1/2 year old children - and neither of them will be in a stroller. So I can't walk as much as I'd like. Trips to the mall and the library are by car, trips to the park or to school are on foot.

During the winter it's all by car.

 

[Michael Chris]

Right now, mostly just driving. But during the semester: Walk on campus, bike to campus, drive places that are further, and on the odd occasion that I go to Santa Fe I take the train.

I never invested in a driving license as I couldn't be bothered parting with the money. Did the math and public transport ended up being cheaper in the end so never did anything to rectify the situation.

Huh?

 

[RoJoHen]

I never invested in a driving license as I couldn't be bothered parting with the money. Did the math and public transport ended up being cheaper in the end so never did anything to rectify the situation.

Huh?

I must agree here. Huh?

My driver's license was like $20 when I was 16, and I never have to pay anything again.

 

[Aurian]

I never invested in a driving license as I couldn't be bothered parting with the money. Did the math and public transport ended up being cheaper in the end so never did anything to rectify the situation.

Huh?

I must agree here. Huh?

My driver's license was like $20 when I was 16, and I never have to pay anything again.

Well.. here in Sweden, getting a driverslicence costs over 20 000 kr for many people. The drivers-ed classes costs too much.

 

[Angry Angel]

Damned Americans ... in the Netherlands you're several thousand euros lighter these days before you can even try to get your license.

 

[RoJoHen]

Crazy. I had no idea. Drivers Education was part of my high school curriculum, so it didn't cost me any extra money to take the class. It was just part of my regular school day.

 

[PlixTixiplik]

I never invested in a driving license as I couldn't be bothered parting with the money. Did the math and public transport ended up being cheaper in the end so never did anything to rectify the situation.

Huh?

I must agree here. Huh?

My driver's license was like $20 when I was 16, and I never have to pay anything again.

Even if you just look at operating costs it still costs anywhere between $1000-$4000 per year to own a car in North America, and more in Europe because they don't subsidize drivers as much as the US does. Factor in insurance (at least $400 per year if you barely drive) and vehicle registration fees (say $100) and considering that monthly transit passes are say $50-$100, it's clearly cheaper to use public transit. Even if you buy a used car there is still depreciation (obviously less than AAA's estimate for new car purchases) too.

 

[Michael Chris]

Well.. here in Sweden, getting a driverslicence costs over 20 000 kr for many people. The drivers-ed classes costs too much.

That's a good point, I didn't think about the drivers education portion. My classes cost about $250 I think, plus the actual cost of the license (something like $15). I guess I just can't imagine not getting a license.

 

[RoJoHen]

Huh?

I must agree here. Huh?

My driver's license was like $20 when I was 16, and I never have to pay anything again.

Even if you just look at operating costs it still costs anywhere between $1000-$4000 per year to own a car in North America, and more in Europe because they don't subsidize drivers as much as the US does. Factor in insurance (at least $400 per year if you barely drive) and vehicle registration fees (say $100) and considering that monthly transit passes are say $50-$100, it's clearly cheaper to use public transit. Even if you buy a used car there is still depreciation (obviously less than AAA's estimate for new car purchases) too.

Perhaps. If I lived in the city, I'd definitely get rid of my car. But around here, I'd rather have the convenience of a car than have to revolve my life around bus schedules, especially since the buses stop running at 11pm. I usually don't even leave work until midnight!

 

[jessicaX]

Well I used to get around by bike

.... That was until yesterday when I was trying to get some speed up before an enormous hill, pedalling away - staring at the floor...
BANG
PARKED CAR
Injuries include but not necessarily limited to(and not in order of importance):
Busted little finger, bent forks, two massively bruised knees, a bruised face, buckled brake disc etc etc....

Bring on teleportation and the holodeck for keeping fit safely

Jessx

 

[Zulu Romeo]

For short distances, walking. Maybe public transport. Gotta burn the calories and reduce the old carbon footprint, after all.

For longer distances, driving (especially if taking a lot with me) or train.

 

[RoJoHen]

Well I used to get around by bike

.... That was until yesterday when I was trying to get some speed up before an enormous hill, pedalling away - staring at the floor...
BANG
PARKED CAR
Injuries include but not necessarily limited to(and not in order of importance):
Busted little finger, bent forks, two massively bruised knees, a bruised face, buckled brake disc etc etc....

Bring on teleportation and the holodeck for keeping fit safely

Jessx

Too bad it wasn't a moving car. Then you could have sued and made lots of money to buy a jet pack!

 

[Scout101]

Public transportation isn't really an option around here, so I mostly drive myself, have a new Toyota Tacoma that gets me to and fro. In nice weather, I take the motorcycle back and forth to work...

 

[PlixTixiplik]

I must agree here. Huh?

My driver's license was like $20 when I was 16, and I never have to pay anything again.

Even if you just look at operating costs it still costs anywhere between $1000-$4000 per year to own a car in North America, and more in Europe because they don't subsidize drivers as much as the US does. Factor in insurance (at least $400 per year if you barely drive) and vehicle registration fees (say $100) and considering that monthly transit passes are say $50-$100, it's clearly cheaper to use public transit. Even if you buy a used car there is still depreciation (obviously less than AAA's estimate for new car purchases) too.

Perhaps. If I lived in the city, I'd definitely get rid of my car. But around here, I'd rather have the convenience of a car than have to revolve my life around bus schedules, especially since the buses stop running at 11pm. I usually don't even leave work until midnight!

There's no questioning that personal cars are vastly more convenient. It's also no question that they are more expensive so people have to decide whether the convenience justifies the cost. And for nearly everyone, whether you live in a big city or not, it does. I've driven only 800 miles this year (and biked 1250) but I still own a car. There are those times when you want to take a longer trip, go out of town, or something and you need to drive (I will be selling my car and using Zipcar and rentals, but those aren't available everywhere).

However, I do think that people use their cars more than they have to. Sure, if you commute 20 miles each way it's necessary, but the number of people who drive 3-5 miles to work instead of biking or who drive 1 mile to the store instead of walking actually surprises me.

 

[RoJoHen]

I would walk to stores more often, but I usually buy way too much stuff to carry. And I don't want to walk across major highways.

 

[CorporalClegg]

Well I used to get around by bike

.... That was until yesterday when I was trying to get some speed up before an enormous hill, pedalling away - staring at the floor...
BANG
PARKED CAR
Injuries include but not necessarily limited to(and not in order of importance):
Busted little finger, bent forks, two massively bruised knees, a bruised face, buckled brake disc etc etc....

Bring on teleportation and the holodeck for keeping fit safely

Jessx

Those parked cars are nasty little buggers. They should all be eradicated from the face of the Earth. I've had a few confrontations with them myself; they always seem to win.

In other news, I hope you heal fast and get back up on the horse ... err bike.

 

[Trippy]

Public transit or car by way of my dad-we share a car and its costs, but he drives me and my son to school and back everyday.

 

[tomalak301]

Typically by car, but I walk and take public transit now and then.

 

[Chekov's Phaser]

Where I live there isn't much in the way of effective public transportation. In fact I live in the largest US city with absolutely no public transportation. Since it's Texas and everything is so spread out, the vast majority of people in my metropolitan area rely on cars.

I would love to live in a city without the use of a car 24/7. But that's just not feasible here.

 

[FPAlpha]

Prior to this spring by public transport and now by car.

For the last few years i however loathed public transportation.. all these people crammed into a small space and some of them really disgusting (i've had everything from smelly people to drunks and everything else).

When i finally got a car it was heaven.. the 30km drive (about 20 miles for those not using the right system ) is done in half an hour (a trip that could take me anywhere from between an hour and two by train).

It is more expensive to drive by car but the time saved and less hassle (and above all not having to deal with all those people) is well worth the added expense.