I've recently convinced myself that I don't need a car. Oxford is actually a great town for bike commuting, and I've even trained Lucy to ride in a basket. For those few out of town trips, I could ride with friends, rent a car, or if I have time, bikepack. The remaining issue is what to do on mornings like this. It's 40 degrees and pouring rain, nevermind the lightning. Fortunately, this morning I was able to stay home and work towards perfecting my waffle recipe*. But, the day will come when I need to be somewhere.
My current residence is a mile from the bus stop and about 2.5 from campus. Even if I drove to campus, it's still at least a 5 minute walk to class. Might as well just ride. I've got fenders, a good rain jacket, and waterproof boots. I usually feel goofy in rain pants, but they might be warranted on days like this.
Eventhough I don't need a car, I have to admit they are quite convenient at times. They're also extremely expensive when you add up all the associated costs. My little truck is about 40% of my monthly expenses**. Too much for something that stays in the driveway most days. I at least want to downsize. I don't need a car that's big enough to live in.
Another interesting way to think about it is in terms of miles driven divided by hours spent driving plus hours spent working to pay for said car, shown here. The numbers may need some adjusting, but the outcome is that driving and biking equate to about the same speed. Except with biking you end up with more money and better fitness. When did we start thinking that everyone 16+ must have a car? I suppose it comes down to status symbols, indoctrination, bad urban development, yada, yada...
*At the heart of cooking is simple chemistry and thermodynamics. So what makes a lighter crispier waffle? Thinner batter with more oil for crispiness, baking powder for more expansion, and a higher temperature because a lighter waffle doesn't take as long to cook. Also, a waffle maker with more thermal mass would probably produce more consistent waffles.
**Of course that will go down when it's paid off with minimal insurance, but I would still need to budget for repairs.
