Amma, are we poor?
This was my 4-year-old daughter after the van dropped her off home. Her fellow kindergarteners had noticed our empty garage space, sans car, and assumed we were poor.
More than 10 years later, we still get asked varying forms of that question. I get incredulous looks from middle schoolers, who say emphatically – who doesn’t own a car these days – and once, hilariously – even my driver has his own car!
People find it difficult to fathom how my family of three has lived well without a car. We go where we want to, without restrictions; we’re always on time; we manage school meetings, work commutes, vet visits, and even hospitalizations without a car!
In this piece, I’ll offer an insight into just how we do it, and why! Perhaps it will help you take baby steps in achieving transport sustainability.
Our garage contains three well-used bicycles. The old-fashioned ones: with stands, carriers and baskets. Hardy and humble, they are used twice or thrice a day – for errands, visits, classes.
How can one start?
First, you must resolve to try this. Shake off prejudices against public transport, if you have any. Most cities have a decent public transport system that you can use. If you don’t have last mile connectivity, you can park your car at the station or bus depot and use public transport.
Also, please get a cycle with a nice broad seat. You don’t want the sleek modern looking ones that give you an ouch over every bump on the road.
Wear a helmet and make sure you follow all road rules. Make sure you have a cycle pump at home, and also learn to do simple cycle maintenance.
Remember to start small. Give your car a rest and start off with small errands – drop off your dry cleaning, cycle to your grocer or veggie vendor. This also gives you an added advantage of avoiding packaging from online shopping.
Make it a fun activity. Take it a ride at a time – make it a family activity. Maybe even cycle with the kids to school once a week at drop-off and pick-up.
Try public transport. Start by using it once a week. If you can, take your kids/nieces or nephews along too.
What about the traffic?
Get to know the backstreets of your area – I can go 2-3 kilometers without using the main road.
But… there are so many things to do!
I usually organize my errands, shopping etc., and try to fit it all in one day if I must go longer distances. I begin by WhatsApping family and friends who live near me and see if I can get a lift to a certain point. This gives me quality time with a loved one, and we catch up over a nice chat as we travel. From there on, I walk or take a bus to my destination. After completing my errands, if I have too much to carry, I take an auto or taxi back. Doing this organizes my monthly shop/repairs/visits and I save a lot of time by fitting in these must do chores in the space of a single day.
You’ll find a way and method that works for you.
What else?
Walking, cycling, and taking public transport helps you become familiar with your neighbourhood – the people, the stores, the vendors – it gives you a feeling of ownership of your city.
Green public transport ⓒRamesh NG
You might also observe that the temperature changes when you cycle in a tree-lined avenue versus one that is bare of trees. You may experience that you cough in traffic but breathe better on back streets in the absence of vehicles. These experiences teach you much more about global warming and air pollution than any book or documentary can.
You could even try an electric bicycle or scooter. When you’re not in the air-conditioned bubble of your car, you’ll begin to understand how poorly cyclists are treated on Indian roads – right from the lack of separate cycling lanes to a lack of respect from car owners. This may even make you demand your rights, and become a more concerned citizen.
Lastly – why do I cycle? I simply have not outgrown my childhood love for cycling – as far as I’m concerned, it’s a meditative and joyful form of transport that has the added virtues of sustainability, affordability, and fitness.