Do we need cars?

When I grew up we did not have a car.  We caught the bus and we walked. When we went to the supermarket we would wheel the shopping trolley home empty it out and then return it (it was about a 10 minute walk each way) It was fine not having a car. You had to free up more travel time I suppose but it was just the way it was.

My aunty had a motorbike which was extremely cool. She started out with a little moped, then when my Grandad ( who was in his 80’s) wanted to get in on the act she bought a bigger bike and used to take him out and about in the back.

He thought it was magic.

She had to  buy all the right gear for them both leather helmets etc. and she had to get classic bike insurance but her running costs were far lower than if she had a car and with just the two of them to transport out and about this was fine. They had so much fun on that bike.

Nowadays almost everyone I know has a car or has access to one. I have one pal who doesn’t drive that is a power walker and she loves it. Friends or  her husband give her lifts when absolutely desperate but she is quite content walking or bus -ing it and I swear she is far more laid back than the rest of us.

I have another friend who uses her bike and pops her kids in the trailer and travels about that way. This would scare me half to death (the thought of someone banging into my kids) but she is undisturbed her green values firmly intact and her kids happy and content in the tent on wheels.

I drive and it is stressful and it is expensive. but I am time short and it seems the best option with 2 kids and a busy day. sometimes it is is important to stop and think.

Do I really need a car, I know I don’ t need the cost and the stress?

What do you think?