Hate the car now?
 

I started commuting by bike about seven months ago. For the first time today since then I had to drive in (not by choice) and I absolutely hated it. I didn't make it to work any faster, I still had to deal with ****ty drivers, and I certainly don't feel as good physically nor as mentally alert as I normally do after my ride in. This whole commuting by car thing seems like a really poor way to start the day, how do people manage to do it all the time?

I don't know. on days when I have to drive I feel physically sick and I'm an ******* all day. Since so many people drive every day, perhaps this explains why the world is such an unpleasant place?

I don't drive much but when I do I don't really mind it. It's a pleasant enough commute either way.

I don't hate it. I think if I were driving every day, I would. Once or twice a month is more like a muscle break though.

I don't hate it either but, when I am stuck in traffic I always find myself wishing I was on my bike instead.

It took a while of commuting to get to the "hate the car" point, but I did hit it -- about three days before calling the junkyard for that little pile o' shat. The thought of getting ANOTHER car -- now THAT I hate! It's why I haven't done so!

My alternate commute is usually the metro, and yes, I have grown to be quite resentful of not being able to ride my bike on days when I'm not able to ride my bike. Takes twice as long, costs money...

Motoring just brings out the true self.

I commute by bike to avoid the (sometimes unpredictable) traffic that fouls my 4.7 mile trip home into an hour-long ordeal. Cars are useful for all sorts of things, but my commute isn't one of them.

I think it depends on a few things... your route and your car. Part of my route should I drive goes along coastal highway. And I don't consider my Stage II WRX a jalopy. ;) It's actually quite fun.
It is important to mix it up. Biking in and driving in keeps the mundane away. I like both.

I end up driving to work about 0.5 times a month. On the days I do drive in, I really do not enjoy it. My commute takes me through one of the most congested freeways in the metro area. I usually do a bike-bus-bike commute, so I like letting the bus driver deal with the congestion.

Often freeway traffic was moving along at single digits. Or even stopped. I'd have to wait up to 10 minutes to exit the freeway , when the exit lane was backed up due to traffic volume on the adjoining city street.. When on the bike , i just breeze by all this miserable congestion.. When driving the car, I'd arrive frustrated and mad. On the bike happy with the world. Happy with the world is a far better way to start your work day grind. And need to cope with office politics.

i avoid using my car if at all possible

even worse is sitting on the train

I much prefer sitting on a train over driving in a car. At least the time on the train can be useful.

i sold my last car 10 years ago and have hated the automobile ever since. i'm one of those anti-car fundamentalists that hates every single aspect of the 4-wheeled steel coffin.

but as for the days when, for one reason or another, i'm forced to trade in my daily bike commute for a ride to work on the train, i do sorely miss the bike ride. i don't exactly hate the train commute, it's just billions of times less fun than being on a bike.

This. I really don't feel well and can't concentrate much when I drive.

I wasn't able to drive today. When I got to work I was dragging and was sooo tired. Been off work for a couple hours now and I still haven't woken up fully yet. Been riding for about a month now and I strongly dislike taking the car.

I enjoy driving very much....only to pick up my newly purchase bike at my LBS.

It's funny, I haven't driven to work in over 10 months now, but tomorrow I am going to have to drive in to work. I have found myself being distracted all day thinking about routes, if I leave early, perhaps I can avoid dealing with....

My commute takes about the same amount of time either biking or driving. Unfortunately I did have to take my car into work 3 times this year. Can't say i've gotten to the "I hate my car" attitude yet. I just prefer my bike.

So you have to use Google maps to find a route you can drive to work? Man, it has been a long time. Myself, I would just take the same route I ride each day... unless there's a MUP involved.

I discovered I didn't like driving around town, even on the weekends. I would get impatient and anger easily. For some reason since I could get there faster, I felt like I had to get there faster.

I think it must depend on where you live. I'd always prefer to ride my bike to work, but with kids' schedules and my wife and I both working it's not always possible. I only ride to work 3x a week, sometimes 4.

My ride is 14 miles, takes about 45 minutes. If I have to drive I take a different route - about 8 or 9 miles, and about 12 minutes. If I lived where there's traffic and that 8 or 9 miles took an hour, I'd get rid of the car entirely - and be happy about it.

I usually only drive when the weather is crappy, so I can honestly say that I enjoy driving on those days. I don't get any enjoyment out of cycling during a thunderstorm or icy roads. Driving also gives my legs a break. I cycle almost every day over hilly terrain, and sometimes my legs get tired and need some rest. I usually take those rest days when it's rainy. I take advantage of my driving days by restocking food in my office, clean towels and other clothes, and taking home dirty laundry.

Unfortunately, I've been driving in to work for the most part the past few weeks because of a cough I can't seem to shake off. What's kept me sane is leaving for work 15 to 20 minutes early everyday. That way I don't have to worry about being late to work and I can take my time and just relax.

That's right. I'm the slowass driver taking the left lane. ;)

If I had a Corvette I would be driving every chance I got, but If I had something like a Toyota Corolla I wouldn't use it unless I needed it. I hate to be that person in the bike forum that is pro car, but I just don't like riding every single day. I like having some days off to build up some excitement to ride, makes the whole riding experience better for me.

I sold my truck (2008 Nissan 4x4) last Tuesday. I have been "car free" for 8 days now and love it! I have an 11 year old son who wasn't sure at first but now he loves the lifestyle too!

I am fortunate to work from home so I don't have a "commute" to speak of, but I now use my bike for EVERYTHING! It is amazing how much I used to drive when I didn't need to. A one mile trip to the bank or post office...crazy!!! There are of course going to be times when a car is necessary...a great neighbor and friend offered to let my son and I use their car when ever the need arises. She thinks this is an awesome lifestyle choice for my son and I.

My only regret about getting rid of my truck???? I wish I did it sooner :)

Especially since recent events in the Gulf of Mexico, I cringe every time I turn the ignition key. I minimize my driving and that helps but there is another problem...

I'm starting to neglect my car. It has been a good car for 10 years, a Subaru with 134,000 miles, but now it's starting to show its age a bit and needs some repairs. I just cannot pull the trigger to get it fixed. I drive like once a week. Faced with a $250-500 repair bill, all I can think about is bikes or bike gear I could be buying instead.

I don't hate my car. I just don't love her anymore.

I keep drooling over pictures of the new beautiful blue Long Haul Trucker and think that my car can wait to get new brakes...I'd much rather have the LHT than have a car with working brakes since I ride my bike so much more than I'm ever in my car. I don't like my car. The only good thing about it is that it is paid for.

For me a car is a tremendous convenience. I don't need a shower when I get to work; I can run errands or go between work sites; and it takes less than half the time for me to get from home to work and vice-versa. And... my car is reasonably comfy and still kinda new. What's to hate?