Cycling UK Forum

Thank you all for the responses, honestly so much help!

It is great to see there are people out there with the same thoughts as me and good to know I am not alone. Not so long after my accident a couple of weeks ago, people have been like 'oh no, you'll regret it!' and 'driving isn't really THAT expensive!' and 'how will you get to work?!' (this magical thing called public transport, taxis or a bike!!) when I have brought up the subject. I have also accepted the fact I probably will not get any sort of refund for my insurance because I have claimed and it was my fault but I am cool with that, even though I only renewed in November.

Having said this, I am still pretty worried about what others think about the whole scenario about wanting to get rid of my car, but I do really believe that my partner (who does not drive and has never learned) and I can survive without it. I always feel mentally exhausted with having a car, waiting on the next expense to come along and trying to budget each month to put a bit of money aside for my insurance each year (I pay it annually). So I think it could be good for me as a person.

Thank you for all your responses!

I live pretty close to Glasgow City Centre so it only takes about 20 minutes on a bus, then about a 10 minute walk to work (depending how fast I walk haha). I never have to wait too long on a bus. Usually only about 5/10 minutes at most. It is really easy. As I said in my post, I think it would take about half an hour to cycle to work if I chose that option. Only downside would be for getting my parents house. They live in another town so it would probably be about an hour or so on 2 buses.

Bus stops are basically at the end of my street and services are really regular. Plus at the other end of my street, there is a train station. As for shops, I have 2 supermarkets round the corner from me (a small Tesco and an Iceland) and then by 5 or 10 minute bus rides there are Lidl, Aldi and also Asda, plus an indoor shopping centre.

I have actually gone without a car before. Had an accident in 2018 (not my fault that time), I got injured and I thought I would give going without a car a go. That was in August 2018 and I done it until November 2019 when I got my current car. So I do believe it can be done.

I saw one of you saying about spammers. I am not one. Sorry! I just never had much time to come back on yesterday due to work etc haha.

Hi guys,

New here!

I am just looking for some advice.

Recently I have been evaluating whether it is wise for me to drive. I was actually in an accident a few weeks ago (my fault) and it has really made me think about whether it is all worth it, the whole car owning business! For me, there are a few factors to it, 1. my anxiety/depression has been so bad in recent months, not just with driving, but in general and I feel stopping driving could benefit me. 2. Financially, I feel like I am always penny pinching with owning a car. My car insurance has been a fortune because I have had a few accidents etc and likely will be again at my next renewal date.
Having no car does not faze me, as a matter of fact I actually enjoy my current 10 minute walk as part of my journey to work after getting off the bus. I live in Glasgow so there are quite a lot of cyclists etc as it is.

I am so scared about what people will think if I sell my car and do not replace it. I have been inspired with the idea of cycling to and from work each day. I actually do not have a bike at the moment but I look forward to getting one. I figure it would only take about half an hour to cycle to work which is amazing because it takes about that on the bus (my little walk incuded also).

So yeah, any advice for me? Would be greatly appreciated!