Paul Weaver wrote:

On Wed, 15 Oct 2003 09:08:45 +0100, JohnB wrote:
Ride a bike, walk, take a bus or a train and you are immediately branded as
the arch demon out to purge the world of peoples freedoms.

I certainly don't think that. Preach that others should follow your
lifestyle though and you are the arch demon. Goes both ways too.

Unfortunately trying to encourage others to consider at other modes of transport
is often denigrated by those whose eyes are firmly closed as 'preaching'.

Presently the final choice rests with the individual but when their actions
become considered unnacceptable by a significant number of people (not
necessarily a majority) then some control action is necessary.
It may be by local authority or other agency.
Parking that restricts road use by others is one example.

have. I live in a semi-rural area with relatively poor bus and train
services - hourly at most to the nearest town of any size, and a handful
in the evenings and Sundays.

How do you do your weekly shopping then? 4 people in a house can total 20
bags - wouldnt like to carry them 5 miles home. Wouldn't like to carry
them on the bus either!

Well, Tuesday I cycled into the nearest town with a trailer and brought back
about 30kg of goods. We also use the local shops for fresh produce - we have a
good local butcher and greengrocer, and we make a lot of use of internet
shopping, using two main suppliers who have proved to be very reliable.
I also ride up to an organic farm about two miles north of here that has a farm
shop and another farm supplies eggs etc. I can get the latter within walking
distance but its a pleasant trip;-)

That must be an extreme situation. Where is it? And how many people live

Of course it's an extreme situation, just wanted to see if you would agree
that sometimes a car is neccersary.

Of course I do. Much to the disdain of several petrolheads on this ng who brand
anyone who rides a cycle or walks as anti-freedom.

Heres some anecdotal evidence:

Isnip examples of travel

Yes there are some inconveniences with choosing not to run a car, but IME they
are far far outweighed by the improved quality of life, with the quite pleasant
side benefit of much lower financial outlay.

John B