I had to drive around 1500km this past weekend in a rented mini-van. I don’t own a car, so that’s probably more distance than I’ve covered in a motor vehicle in the past 5 years.

Today, back home and on my way to work, there was rather torrential rain, but I was still so thankful to be back on the bike.

  • RaivoKulli@sopuli.xyz
    1·
    11 days ago

    I think in ideal conditions, I’d prefer not to drive. But a car right now just has just so many advantages to me and I don’t think public transit would work with my current line of work. Freedom of schedule and movements, time saving, carrying all my stuff, comfiness from familiarity and controllable ac, no other people… Downsides are having to actually drive, which is especially bad one when tired but also cost, though benzine isn’t as expensive as it is cracked out to be compared to public transport, but all the other expenses do pile on.

    Right now for me, a personal car just can’t be beat. Well, there’s one thing that could beat it and that’s company car hah

    • sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works
      1·
      11 days ago

      If all three options were practical, which would be your preference? As in, if your work had all the amenities for cycling (bicycle storage, showers, etc), the bus stops conveniently close to your work, and there was sufficient parking, and each mode would get you there in a reasonable amount of time, which would you choose?

      For example, here’s my previous commute:

      • bike - 30-40 min, 100% separated bike path, have shower at work and indoor space for my bike
      • bus - 30-40 min, one transfer (<5 min wait), and stops right in front of my work
      • car - 20-30 min drive, depending on traffic, outdoor parking

      The car is a little bit faster, but not dramatically so. If 30-40 min cycling is too much, change the thought experiment down 10 min for each option.

      For me, my preferences are:

      1. cycling - get exercise and commute done at the same time
      2. transit - can do other stuff while commuting, like read a book, play video games, etc
      3. car - a bit faster and more flexible

      I don’t like driving, but I’ll do it if the benefits outweigh my preference.

      • RaivoKulli@sopuli.xyz
        2·
        11 days ago

        The big issue with cycling for me is that I work outside and already do physically intensive work so outdoors and exercise aren’t something I’m keen for after I am done with work, even if everything else was perfect. If bus was a proper option then I could go for that for times I don’t have to carry around lots of stuff. Being able to sleep during commute would be nice.

        • sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works
          1·
          11 days ago

          Ah, makes sense. I work a desk job, so getting some exercise is really attractive, otherwise I need to make time elsewhere in my schedule.

          If I worked a physical job, I also wouldn’t be interested in cycling to work. In fact, I don’t even really like riding bikes, I just prefer it to driving so I can get exercise at the same time.