My idea/plan?

[corydoras]

Just as an example, I never went to school in a car, not even once. I doubt I'm alone in that respect amongst my contemporaries but how many still at school now can say that?

When I was at school it would have been an EMBARRASSMENT to be driven to school by Mummy or Daddy. The odd time when I was given a lift to school I would ask to be dropped off about a quarter of a mile away and then I would walk the last wee bit and hope that nobody saw me get out of the car!

Edited February 3, 2007 by corydoras

[ayjay]

When I was at school it would have been an EMBARRASSMENT to be driven to school by Mummy or Daddy. The odd time when I was given a lift to school I would ask to be dropped off about a quarter of a mile away and then I would walk the last wee bit and hope that nobody saw me get out of the car!

 

It was easier for me; we didn't have a car.

[david t]

People are taking this out of context slightly. Im not suggesting that you attempt to travel 60 miles a day to work, or carry a ton of tools on the back of a bike. Im more thinking of those that live with in 5 or 10 miles of work, that can substitute thecar journey with a bike, because in all honestly, anybody can ride 5 or 10 miles on a bike, unless the are ill or elderely.

 

im also not advocating that it would suddenly solve all climate change issues, firstly because we are up **** creek without a paddle there, but doing something is better than doing nothing.

 

And the arguement that states that; "as the UK contributes so little to CO2 emissions we dont have to do anything, because our efforts would not be felt" is also wrong IMO, because then all the small countries could say it, new zealand, belgium, swizterland etc, but all together they make up a big chunk, and that cumulative reduction would be felt most probably. Yes, the easiest thing is to hide being the fact that we are a small country, with a small output, but is that really the right thing for a world leading country to be doing?

 

Im not trying to come across as some radical greenpeace protester, with a head of bubbly ideas, but I would rather be pro-active, rather than stubborn and old fashioned.

 

good point though, barry, licencing bikes would probably follow on from this, especially with the recent anti-cycling bursts from the media, due to the action of the few, but thats another story for another day.

 

cheers all. some good points raised

[barry luxton]

People are taking this out of context slightly. Im not suggesting that you attempt to travel 60 miles a day to work, or carry a ton of tools on the back of a bike. Im more thinking of those that live with in 5 or 10 miles of work, that can substitute thecar journey with a bike, because in all honestly, anybody can ride 5 or 10 miles on a bike, unless the are ill or elderely.

 

im also not advocating that it would suddenly solve all climate change issues, firstly because we are up **** creek without a paddle there, but doing something is better than doing nothing.

 

And the arguement that states that; "as the UK contributes so little to CO2 emissions we dont have to do anything, because our efforts would not be felt" is also wrong IMO, because then all the small countries could say it, new zealand, belgium, swizterland etc, but all together they make up a big chunk, and that cumulative reduction would be felt most probably. Yes, the easiest thing is to hide being the fact that we are a small country, with a small output, but is that really the right thing for a world leading country to be doing?

 

Im not trying to come across as some radical greenpeace protester, with a head of bubbly ideas, but I would rather be pro-active, rather than stubborn and old fashioned.

 

good point though, barry, licencing bikes would probably follow on from this, especially with the recent anti-cycling bursts from the media, due to the action of the few, but thats another story for another day.

 

cheers all. some good points raised

 

Well done to you as well David, you make some good points.

[Guest Rabbit]

I'm sick to the back teeth with plans to curb car use and force people to use other means.

I can't get the 30 miles to work at 6 in the morning on any form of public transport.

 

I couldn't get a vaguely direct route at any time of the day.

 

I aint gonna cycle 60 miles a day. at any time or in any weather.

 

There's no-one lives near me I can share with.

 

Even if I could share I don't particularly want to be burdened with someone else's conversation, musical taste, aftershave and timetable. I want to do my own thing in my own way in my own time and I am not unique.

 

So to all the politicians 'green' campaigners and woolly thinkers out there who are keen to grab my taxes and charge me even more for using the roads, and come up with schemes like this expecting me to pay for it, forget it !

 

Sure congestion bugs me, I just don't buy the notion that bus lanes, cycleways, toll charges, and higher fuel and duty taxes will solve the problems.

Simple solution .....Work from home...sorted

[Dan]

I'd certainly cycle the 5 miles to work along a disused railway track, but someone will have to build it first! What I cant stand it the local council painting a white line on the road and calling it a cycle track!!! Dan

[Guest Rabbit]

When I was at school it would have been an EMBARRASSMENT to be driven to school by Mummy or Daddy. The odd time when I was given a lift to school I would ask to be dropped off about a quarter of a mile away and then I would walk the last wee bit and hope that nobody saw me get out of the car!

 

Come on the truth!! It was a Robin Reliant wasn't it??

[UK-Fishing-Tackle.co.uk]

http://earthsave.org/globalwarming.htm

 

There are many different views out there - everyone is talking theories, and truthfully few can prove much if anything. What is a fact is if you remove every car, plane and power-station there will still be 96 or 97% of the carbon emissions there are today - as pretty much most of them are generated from living organisms.

 

If you really want some interesting reading there is quite a few good articles about the myths behind carbon offsetting - with quite a number of scientists claiming that the planting of a tree is actually a net contributor to carbon emissions. From what I understand our earth is pretty much dependent on Algae not trees or plants to recycle carbon dioxide - but they didn't actually tell us that at school (they told us trees - but a lot of reading suggests that is completely untrue).

 

I am all for more cycling - but at the same time I think they need to introduce better measures to protect cyclists. Mandatory insurance should be a bare minimum (if necessary worked out like a state tax), but also mandatory lights (to be fixed to all bikes regardless of day/night), and compulsory cycling proficiency in schools.

[corydoras]

Come on the truth!! It was a Robin Reliant wasn't it??

No it was a mini, but it would not have mattered if it was a Bently. You either walked or got the bus. I used to get the bus in in the morning and walk all the way along the tow path home at night.

[Andy_1984]

Well I'm giving up roast beef If all them farting cows are driving my taxes up they certainly won't end up on my dinner plate

 

 

giving up the roast beef will be adding to global warming. one less farting cow less methane