In this little interview with advocatus diaboli, I. Zlobredo, I would like to discuss the implications of a life of a family without a car.
I. Zlobredo: Hi Daniel, how did you get here?
D. Oderbolz: As usual, I came by bike (as in bicycle) - currently, I am here with my Grace E-Bike.
I. Zlobredo: Ahh, that's why you are sweating!
D. Oderbolz: I have to admit, contrary to common belief, an E-bike also makes you sweat, if you drive at top speed. That is also my major reason to do it: I want to keep fit.
I.: But you and your wife have two kids - how does this work out without a car?
D.: It is surprisingly easy. I commute almost exclusively by bike, that makes 30 km each day. To bring our younger one to daycare, I use a bike trailer. In case the older also needs a ride, the trailer is spacious enough for both kids. My wife commutes by train. She owns a GA (with this annual subscription, you can use all public transports in Switzerland).
I.: But what about winter?
D.: Well what about it? I change my tyres around october, my winter tyres have many small spikes (great to drive even without snow or ice). Riding them is certainly much less dangerous than walking on ice (laughs). Because my E-Bike does not have many parts that can corrode, I get through winter without trouble. The important bit is to wear many layers of clothing. On the coldest days I wear as many as seven layers of clothes. Also, I use a balaclava to protect my lungs from the cold (my kids like that, they saz it makes me look like a mean pirate).
I.: Did you never think it was cooler to drive a car?
D.: Of course, the ads of the car companies and especially Hollywood gives us this impression. If you don't have a car you must be a loser. I had an interesting discussion with a medical doctor about this a while ago - it this profession, the peer pressure must be quite high. He used to have a small car (a Smart), but then changed to a Jaguar. For me, the opinion of other people was never a strong driver. I think that driving a car is pretty irresponsible in most cases.
I.: Irresponsible? How so?
D.: On the one hand, it is plain dangerous. Even with the most modern equipment, a car seems like a loaded weapon to me - that's why I do not like to drive at all.
I.: So you own a driver's license?
D.: Yes, I do. But I admit that I drive so little that I am really dangerous... But returning to that earlier thread. Cars stand around most of the time. That is such a waste of room! It makes me angry to see all these cars parked in the streets. Our kids have so little room - but we park our cars there! Also think about all the room that is taken away by streets. In Switzerland, the area taken by travel infrastructure per person is about 3 times the area taken for housing! Then, building a car requires more than 1000 kg of nice raw materials and plenty of energy. Why don't we share these beautiful machines? And finally, they require a crazy amount of gasoline and produce a plethora of noxious gases and particulates. I can only repeat: driving a car is irresponsible behaviour. However, I admit that I am also irresponsible sometimes - nobody is perfect.
I.: I think driving by bike is irresponsible!
D.: Well, I have to admit that I sometimes meet some pretty reckless bikers. I think especially on a bike, it is prudent to respect the rules and give the car driver the benefit of the stronger one... I rather break than breaking my body. But of course, with an E-Bike at a speed of around 40 km/h things get more interesting. One needs to make sure to be 100% concentrated.
I.: I heard that some E-Bikes even make top speeds on the order of 48 km/h!
D.: It is true, for example the Stromer reaches 48 km/h top supported speed. I think this is no longer safe. Already at 40 km/h, you really need to take care. At almost 50 km/h, things might get tight...
I.: But don't you think your kids would be safer in a car?
D.: I think in this question lies the whole tragedy of the bike today. You see less bikes on the street because people think it is more dangerous. Hence, the proportion of cars raises, which in turn means that cars are less used to share the street with bikes. Often, car drivers give this impression: "this is my street - what are you doing here?" I think this position is wrong. I also pay for this street. I do not accept to be forced to use second-rate streets. Coming back to the safety of the kids: with the trailer, we drive only on small streets within our quarter. Since I also drive carefully I think we are as safe as within a car.
I.: The kids also might get a cold!
D.: On the other hand, they are much more in touch with what is going on outside. They know exactly where we are driving. No, I think it is a healthy way to travel. If you now try to tell me about pollution - that would be pretty cynical, don't you think?
I.: I admit that this is a bit of a hen & egg problem. But many car manufacturers claim that the air coming out of their exhaust pipe is cleaner than what came in. What do your friends say? Do they think you are crazy?
D.: Quite a number of my friends also have no car. Most of them live in the city, where a car is not really needed. It has, however, never been much of a discussion. SOmetimes it is funny however, when people assume that I am completely against cars. At a stag night of one of my friends I suggested he should drive a Ferrari - much to the astonishment of the others. I am an engineer (OK, an environmental), so I can admire a nice piece of engineering...
I.: What makes you do this? Do you feel like saving the world or something?
D.: Absolutely not. For me it just feels right to live like this - plus it is fun!
I.: If I would like to try this lifestyle, what would you recommend to do?
D.: First of all: sell your car and realize how much you save! A car is really a luxury item, but many of us believe it is somehow essential... Then of course buy a nice bike. They come at a fraction of a very small car. I would recommend an E-Bike - but do not forget the helmet!
I.: So you wear one of those dreadful helmets?
D.: Yes, I think this is really essential. There are, however, many nice models out! Especially for kids, it is important
I.: Thanks a lot for this interview - take care with your driving!
D.: Thank you, it was a pleasure! Take care yourself!
