Machka 

I was reminded of this thread when I saw a bus go past with an enormous ad on the side for the Pet Taxi service.


So let's hear some more practical suggestions for transporting yourself, your family & pets, and your goods ... while living car-ownership-free.

tandempower

I've been researching scythes as an alternative to power-mowing, but they are expensive. People claim they are worth it because they work just as well or better as a power mower without all the noise, hassle, and weight but part of me thinks it's wrong to pay as much as a push mower for a blade connected to a handle. Maybe Walmart will start selling them for $30 and cause the non-motorized lawn mowing culture to take off. Probably existing scythe sellers will be irritated if that happens but I'm sure they would just promote their more expensive models as being of better quality than the Walmart brand.

Artkansas 

My experiences with lawn mower repair have been limited. At my last house, I used the landlord's power mower. There was a 2 1/2 gallon can of gas and for a long time all was well. It was a small yard, so I didn't use much fuel.

Then I ran out. I filled the fuel can at a gas station and gassed up the mower. I primed the carb, started the motor and mowed the yard. Next time I tried to start the motor, I noticed that the primer bulb was melted. I figured that it was just a case of the primer bulb being old, as the mower was. I searched around and found a dealer who had the replacement carburetor. I installed the carb. primed the carb, started the motor and mowed the yard. Next time I tried to mow the yard, the primer bulb was melted.

The only difference I could figure out was that between filling the fuel can a long while ago, and filling it recently, the State of California had ordered MBTE included in the gasoline. And I assumed that this was what was melting the primer bulb. I couldn't afford a lawn mower or to buy a new carb every time I needed to mow the lawn and you can't buy just the primer bulb. So I put the lawn mower in the back of the shed, got out my trusty electric weed whacker and mowed the yard with that.

Roody

Another zombie thread. Why can't you just start a new thread on the same topic, Machka? People who want to dig in the archives can do so, but many of us are interested in current and fresh ideas. On most internet forums, this is not allowed.

Does this bother anybody else? Or is it just me?

enigmaT120

It's better than starting a new thread on the same topic because it won't have wasted all of the suggestions and points that were made previously. I'm on one forum (first generation Honda Insights) where you can't hardly ask a question without being directed to the search engine, and if you find a thread about your topic that doesn't seem to answer your question, you add to that one. The practice does make the search results more useful.

Machka 

+1

Roody

Some of those people are dead. Many have moved on from the forums. If questioned or attacked, they will be unable to respond. That seems unfair in the case of attacks, and also frustrating that they are unable to provide additional information if questioned. And the sheer number of earlier posts can drown out the wonderful new messages being submitted by our current members. Sorry, the drawbacks are greater than the benefits, IMO.

Also it is rather disturbing to see the decline in civility and fellowship that has occurred in the last several years.

Machka 

No one is questioning or attacking anyone.

We're trying to make this forum a pleasant place to be.


People are welcome to post here ... whether it is a new post or a new-to-us post or a newly updated post.

Machka 

We've been talking about myths in another thread ... this might address some of the myths. You can do all sorts of things without owning a motor vehicle.

Tell us about the transportation options in your area.

Machka 

I'll just link this thread in here as well ...

https://www.bikeforums.net/living-car...-services.html

wipekitty

On Monday, I used Uber to transport a sick kitty to and from the vet. I had a lovely conversation with one of the drivers, who is new to the area from Alaska, and we commiserated about the Wisconsin humidity and our shared desire to move someplace cooler, like Canada!

Our kind of roommate has medical issues, and uses a medical transportation service to get to and from his appointments (which are several days a week). He is in good with the local nuns, who give him rides on holidays when medical transit is not running.

Romyan

Honestly, maybe a scooter or moped.

ZuniCycle

A horse? For more of a country/wilderness setting than an urban one.

tramptrade 

There is a fellow in his 50s in my community that uses a skateboard to get around. He clearly has solid skill and I usually see him wearing a backpack and carrying a bag of groceries or whatever.

While I would not be comfortable doing it, many youth in the community also use boards to get around.

elocs

My bike and my cargo trailer are my car. I have hauled furniture with them such as a full sized dresser and a loveseat hide-a-bed, 250 pounds of patio blocks and other building materials as well as my groceries and whatever else I need to get. I've help people move with totes bungied 3 high. In March I take my cat in his carrier in my trailer to the vet to get his yearly check-up even though he screams the whole long way.
If I gotta-had to do it I would take a taxi, rent a car, or do what I needed to do if I couldn't do it by bike. But I take a lot of personal pride in getting the job done on my bike.

Dahon.Steve

Maybe it's New York but I"m seeing more and more people on electric skateboards. I don't know if this is a fad but I'm glad it's catching on!

Walter S

I've learned the hard way that I'll go fast and get hurt on rough surfaces. It may be just one spill when you get older. I don't see electric making it any safer.

tramptrade 

I see the odd one here too, but not really any significant numbers ... yet.