How to live car-free

In short, the answer is yes.

Cars are incredibly expensive to buy and maintain. If the capital outlay of the vehicle itself isn’t enough to make you wince, regular servicing, the cost of fuel, insurance, parking and taxes soon adds up.

A bicycle can cost as little or as much as you want, and the ongoing costs are minimal. Sure, you’ll still have to keep the chain oiled and replace worn bike parts from time to time, but kilometre for kilometre, the bike wins.

If you’re not quite ready to give up your car, one of the best ways to save money is by commuting by bike. Research suggests you can save an average of up to £1400 per year if you ride to work and back. 

Another study conducted in 2015 revealed that driving a car is six times more expensive than cycling.

Generally speaking, most people live in cities, towns or their surrounding suburbs. These areas are densely populated and have vibrant economies. Local governments want to encourage residents to live and work nearby, so invest in infrastructure to support this.

Some of the UK’s most bike-friendly cities include London, Bristol and Edinburgh. This is due to the great cycling infrastructure which encourages people to jump on two wheels.

Living further away from where you’re employed or from where you spend the majority of your time presents some difficulties. The population density declines and public transport options are deemed unviable.

It is therefore easier to live a car-free lifestyle if you have alternative transport options in the vicinity: safe walking routes, train stations, regular buses, traffic-free cycle paths etc. It’s an easier decision if you live without a car in a town or city where there are usually an abundance of options.

The weather and climate where you live will also impact your ability to walk or ride around your local area. The good news is there’s good wet weather cycling kit out there and it’s still much cheaper than a car.

When you give up your car, it’s surprising just how close a lot of amenities are. Without the option of jumping in the car, you can choose to walk the 1 km distance (10-12 minutes for most people) to the doctor’s surgery or bakery.

Some cities lend themselves to walking and riding more than others, and you will find that you lead a more active lifestyle whether you’re on two feet or two wheels.

If you previously owned a car, you will have adjusted your lifestyle accordingly. The thought of changing how you go about your day-to-day life can be overwhelming, especially if kids and work are involved so here are a few tips to help ease the worry.

• Get your groceries delivered – most households can benefit from online grocery deliveries nowadays. Heavy or bulky items might be tricky on a bike from time to time, so a delivery is a good option in this case.
• Rent a car when you need it – unfortunately, the world we live in isn’t quite the cycling eutopia we wish it was (yet) and sometimes you just need a car. Look out for car share schemes in your area or simply hire a car for the time you need. It’ll definitely be cheaper than buying, maintaining and servicing your own car.
• Ask for help or carpool – if you live near family or friends, the chances are they can help you in your hour of need. Whether it’s taking the kids to sports on weekends or jumping in the car with a friend who’s heading in the same direction, ask around if you need to. Chipping in for fuel often helps, too!

When you give up your car, you need a bike that offers similar practical benefits. Consider the following points before deciding on the right bike:

• How will you use the bike? If you’re commuting, taking the kids to nursery, doing the grocery shop or running errands, you’ll need a bike with pannier racks or trailer compatibility. A hybrid bike is ideal most of the time.
• Where do you live and where are you going? The weight of the bike matters if you have to haul the bike up the stairs regularly. If you catch the train half way, can you handle it easily on and off the train? A lighter weight city bike might be the best option for you.
• Do you live in a hilly area and you’d appreciate a bit of assistance on the climbs to get you to where you need to be? An E-Bike can do just that.

A bike that allows you to be quick and efficient will make every journey a pleasure. The chances are you don’t need a full-suspension mountain bike to commute to work, but a dedicated commuting bike will tick all the boxes.