this post was submitted on 22 May 2025
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Food shopping doesn't require a large truck, or even a car.
I've carried 120lbs worth of groceries on an old bike + a lightweight trailer. It's easy to haul stuff on a regular bike, and if hauling large loads is something that you'd often do, a cargo bike makes a lot more sense than a car.
These days, since I don't support Walmart anymore, I can walk to my local grocery store a few times a week with a handcart, and get all the groceries I could need (even pulling 60lbs+ with a handcart is easy). I can also get exercise and connect with other humans at the same time! It's a better way of doing it.
Furniture? How often? Most people get stuff like that delivered for free, or might rent a small van for the odd time they want to pick up themselves.
Weekend getaway is understandable. I don't know anyone who goes on them every weekend. Maybe on a holiday weekend, but even then, owning a car for the odd getaway seems... wasteful.
The majority of people would still benefit from people-centric infrastructure, and an even greater number of people don't need anything bigger than a small car (if that).
And I say that acknowledging that North American cities aren't even designed with people in mind, so imagine how useless cars would be if they weren't the priority?
Are you single? Food shop with a family is not feasible with the weather and roads here. Vegan too so a lot bulkier. Tins, bottles of juice, fruit and veg, dog food, etc. it barely fits in the car.
Move furniture about all the time, last week I took my garden furniture to my SILs for a party she is having.
Away doing something most weekends yes, kids demand it. Can’t exactly put the pram on a bike either so even with great public transport the weather makes doing anything without shelter unpractical.
Your experience basically flies in the face of how millions around the world live all the time without cars or needing them that much.
Maybe your particular situation, who knows, but yeah.
No. And before kids moved out I was shopping for four adults + extra for when the grandkids stayed over.
Even though the option to have groceries delivered is available, I get groceries by bike or on foot all year round. In Canada. We get snow and sub-zero temperatures.
Yes, also vegan. 25 years, now 🤩 I get it, we buy large bags of flour, rice, dry beans, and other bulky ingredients on a regular basis.
At peak-pet, we had five adult cats and two large dogs. At that time, I'll admit that ordering pet food online with free delivery was just what we did.
Grocery shopping does require planning if you're going infrequently.
Being in the suburbs or city, most people would have access to at least a few grocery stores within a 20 minute bike ride.
If all the time, then you are able to justify having a larger vehicle. Most people, including most SUV owners, are not moving furniture all the time.
When we had the grandkids over, I was using a child trailer (for two) and using panniers for the groceries.
Since all grocery stores since Covid offer curbside pickup, it was much easier than you'd think.
And I don't have a cargo bike, which would make things even easier.
My point is that a people-centric city plan would remove barriers for mostly everyone. Even within a car-centric framework, it's totally possible to avoid using a car for most trips.
I wouldn't have believed it until I tried.
Amazing! My 8th veganniversary is in a couple weeks.
That other guy has pets but I'll let it pass.
Ah. See, you're able to ride a bike and not die. My community is not there yet.
This is privilege. Funny how so many in here would immediately bitch about others not recognizing it but in here it's totally acceptable to be completely obliviously.