I’ve considered getting rid of my van for quite a while, in order to reduce my personal carbon emissions, and to save money. Whilst I could come up with many reasons to keep the van, the arguments for getting rid of it were greater. The van itself was worth about £1k, which would also have been quite handy.
Last month I was eating chips, outside the chip shop on the Boston Road, when I noticed The Doris Banham Charity Shop. Having quite a few dogs myself, I read the information in the shop window, and was moved by what they do. The charity collects dogs who are likely to be put down, from kennels, puts them up, and then tries to find homes for them. So I went into the shop, and offerred them my van. two weeks later, I delivered it to the shop, caught the bus home, and became car-less, or should that be careless, for the first time in more than thirty years. You can see a picture of my van, newly sign written, on the Doris Banham Charity website, by clicking on the link below.
Whilst there, why not take a look at the dogs looking for a home as well.
To replace the van, I now have an electric bicycle, bought from Cleveland Bicycles, in Coningsby. I’ve been using it regularly, and did more than twenty miles on it today, and am planning a trip to Theddlethorpe tomorrow.
The battery is where you would expect to see a water bottle, and the electric motor is inside the silver hub on the front wheel. Although you can use it purely with the motor, I use it in “pedal assist” mode, which helps it to get up the steeper hills, and should help to get me a bit fitter. It costs pennies to charge the battery, and fully charged, it should do up to 15 miles. Hill climbing, and carrying heavier loads will reduce that distance. For longer distances I will use the bus, but for nipping in to town, it’s ideal.
Riding a bicycle is just one of the many ways that we can all reduce our carbon emissions. Why not give it a try?
Deano
I am very impressed, how much did the bike cost?
Hi Rose
It was about £800, but that’s because I chose one with one of the new Lithium ion batteries, which are lighter. prices start from about £500
Well done Deano! I didn’t see myself as a dedicated cyclist but I too am managing to leave the car in the drive (sadly I can’t yet manage without it). Keep up the good work.
http://www.epic-lincolnshire.org/low_carbon_community_network/
There is some interesting additions to Deano’s transport blog here.