tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2059564160595582782012-02-16T19:16:55.232+11:00A typical middle class suburban family attempting to live in Brisbane without a car.Andrewnoreply@blogger.comBlogger181100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205956416059558278.post-70624818566732778772008-03-23T09:09:00.001+11:002008-03-23T09:19:39.119+11:00

For a long while I have been watching and waiting for the full introduction of TransLink’s vision: integrated smart card travel. Getting a clearer picture of people’s public transport habits and ticketless transition from one mode to another was going to allow transport planners to better design routes and timetables to make urban transport seamless. So what’s in it for those mystery people who

Pennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15449773964254907619noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205956416059558278.post-2460641567281741192008-03-10T21:49:00.000+11:002008-03-10T21:52:36.034+11:00

There is a funky Web 2.0 mash-up at mapmyrun.com where you can plot your route on a Google map. Though obviously made for runners [and I'd never do anything that rash], it's good for plotting how far we cycle/walk.

Andrewnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205956416059558278.post-18010789196785742632008-03-10T20:34:00.003+11:002008-03-10T21:13:20.059+11:00

More rugby stuff; this time at Ballymore for the "Reds Family Fun Day". Ballymore has a wonderful setting; in parkland next to Breakfast Creek. Sadly, this means it's a pig to get to, whether you are on foot, in the car or using public transport. Our choice was train it to Bowen Hills, change, then out to Windsor station, then cycle from there; half on road; half on bikepath [4.67km return +

Andrewnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205956416059558278.post-75145000828226897262008-03-08T18:27:00.000+11:002008-03-10T20:32:45.587+11:00

Cycled to Toombul shopping centre for a few errands; it was such a nice day we decided to have lunch at Kalinga Park [7.6km return]. Late afternoon we took the train to Roma Street and walked up the hill to Lang Park (like we normally would) to see the Reds get crushed by a classy Stormers side (as normally happens). At least the boys got to walk around the pitch during the Junior Rugby march

Andrewnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205956416059558278.post-39383899793108897892008-03-07T20:15:00.003+11:002008-03-10T20:26:29.944+11:00

The main challenge today was getting to the rugby club at Hugh Courtney Oval [3.7km] for the boy's evening training session; kicking off around 5.30pm and normally going on for an hour (though in this instance it was more like 2 1/2 as it was a grading night. We are reluctant to cycle there as it means cycling back in the dark with two knackered kids. For this week, as both Penny and me had

Andrewnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205956416059558278.post-937450375888473842008-03-06T10:26:00.001+11:002008-03-06T10:56:39.738+11:00

OK, so I've had to hire a car a couple of times this week due to the fact there are still many places even just a few kms from the CBD that are completely inaccessible by public transport. Unfortunately these more industrial areas are where I often get the work. But, I'm still in the money. With planning, you can cram a lot into those hire car days... grocery shopping, going to the cash & carry,

Pennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15449773964254907619noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205956416059558278.post-22753851638975964782008-03-03T21:23:00.000+11:002008-03-10T21:48:53.214+11:00

I flexed-off work today and Penny didn't have any on, so we enjoy a day sans les enfants. Took off for Shornecliffe on the bikes, along Shultz Canal and across the Boondall Wetlands for a fine lunch at the Full Moon. After exercise, a couple of beers, a good feed and sitting in the warm sun, you loose the enthusiasm for further exersion, so we only managed a few more kms up the promenade before

Andrewnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205956416059558278.post-46145761180682588792008-02-28T19:00:00.001+11:002008-02-28T19:24:10.938+11:00

Though not the most important factor in our giving up the car, the threat of peak oil and fast-rising petrol prices is definitely one of my/the considerations. Despite the occasional optimistic report declaring world peace is only just around the corner - and the price of barrel of oil will sink to a 'normal' level of $40 - I can't see it myself. It's not a case of 'why is all the oil found in

Andrewnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205956416059558278.post-87211529982006828682008-02-27T20:00:00.002+11:002008-02-28T15:06:20.102+11:00

Well, can't say I've missed the car too much so far, though I have had a relatively uncomplicated week. Monday & Tuesday, work was easily accessible by public transport and Wednesday I worked from home. The kids seem to be getting used to walking and cycling everywhere - even Matthew (7), who is notorious for moaning about everything has said how "walking is really good exercise, and so is

Pennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15449773964254907619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205956416059558278.post-16138050932234558382008-02-26T16:55:00.003+11:002008-02-26T17:44:17.530+11:00

Britauthor, Will Self has become a flaneur, apparently: a gentlemanly stroller of the city streets. He walks for miles, experiencing the people and places of London unseen by the 'windscreen-based virtuality' of most passers through. It has no doubt alerted him to the poor esteem in which pedestrians are held by city planners. Cities, despite being full of people, are well and truly designed with

Andrewnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205956416059558278.post-77136636669212653212008-02-24T20:37:00.001+11:002008-02-26T16:48:22.290+11:00

Still no great need for the car. I played some pre-season rugby season touch football down at the park (2.5km by bike) and then did some shopping for BBQ lunch with friends in the afternoon. Carrying significant amounts of shopping can be a pain, especially when you need to buy wine and beer at the same time. It wouldn't all fit in my Queensland government TravelSmart bag, so sorry, the milk and

Andrewnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205956416059558278.post-55908014341661484402008-02-23T09:11:00.000+11:002008-02-25T21:04:27.116+11:00

Today was a little more challenging. It was the hottest day we'd had in almost a year and I had to cycle to the rugby club to do my voluntary duties for club sign-on (4.75km) then on over to the school for a swimming carnival in the afternoon (1.75km). At least the temperature had cooled for the ride back home (1.1km). Walked: 0km (To date: 6.6km) Cycled: 7.6km (To date: 7.6km) Money saved:

Pennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15449773964254907619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205956416059558278.post-85202378490834410612008-02-22T12:00:00.000+11:002008-02-24T09:10:24.897+11:00

First day without the car and I was working from home. I walked the kids to school (2.2km return) and picked them up again in the afternoon (another 2.2km return). Friday nights are back up to school for swimming training (add another 2.2km return). At least I didn't feel guilty about not using the treadmill today. Cancelling the comprehensive car insurance gave us a refund of $307. Walked:

Pennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15449773964254907619noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205956416059558278.post-16521277935819360052008-02-22T08:56:00.001+11:002008-02-21T21:04:33.843+11:00

Now we are sans l'auto, when we pack my Mother off to the airport on Saturday, she must go by train, specifically, the AirTrain. A short walk to the station and 25 minutes on the train drops you off right at the terminal door: no mucking about in the traffic on the Airport Drive/Gateway intersection and no tearing your hair out trying to find a parking space. The AirTrain is both convenient and…

Andrewnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205956416059558278.post-61759667114086971482008-02-21T20:55:00.000+11:002008-02-21T20:56:14.420+11:00

We have worked out it costs us around $6837 per year to own and operate our vehicle. It is broken down as such: Item $ (pa) Repairs and service 734 Comprehensive insurance 460 CTP / Rego 762 Depreciation* 2381 Total (fixed costs) 4337 Petrol 2500 Total (fixed and variable costs) 6837 This makes transport expenditure roughly comparable to the annual cost of groceries (

Andrewnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205956416059558278.post-63811652270274477962008-02-20T21:28:00.004+11:002008-02-20T22:24:40.042+11:00

Whilst there is undoubtedly an element of idealism involved in this trial, it is also about cold hard cash. We believe that it will prove to be better value. Significantly, when you buy a car, you must generally select for the highest common denominator. So, for example, if you have 2 children and like to go off camping, you require a large vehicle (possibly an SUV), despite the fact that for

Andrewnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205956416059558278.post-85932643543054844292008-02-20T21:25:00.004+11:002008-02-20T22:40:06.712+11:00

Andrew (35): Works in Brisbane CBD 5 days per week. Employer promotes flexible working options. Currently catches the train to work 100% of the time (10 minutes walk at either end). Is [relatively] fit and has no mobility impairments. Penny (32): runs own software training business, predominantly in an inner-southern suburb, reasonably well served by train and south eastern busway. Often provides

Andrewnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-205956416059558278.post-42575147378191224812008-02-19T10:14:00.001+11:002008-02-20T22:19:43.210+11:00

Faced with another mammoth repair bill ($1290), we have decided to ditch the car. Well, at least trial it for 4 weeks... We believe it is possible, without there being any major impact on our quality of life. And we believe it would be more affordable. We will: Walk and cycle more than we all already do Take public transport more than we currently do Take taxis and hire cars, where a vehicle is

Andrewnoreply@blogger.com2