Petrol prices have rocketed and running and maintaining a car is more expensive than ever before - but one savvy dad is beating the system by ferrying two of his four children around on his long tail cargo bike. The bike can carry one adult and two children and dad-of-four Sam Easterby-Smith from Withington is saving a packet by leaving the car at home and using his other set of wheels instead.

Software engineer Sam, who has two young children Poppy, one, and Aline, six and two teenagers Laurel, 15 and Cassie, 13, says transporting his younger children around in the car is not only cheaper - it is environmentally friendly too. Sam says: "It's my substitute Range Rover. To some extent it is about saving money and I do have a car. I do the vast amount of my journeys by bike - it's more environmentally sound and you don't have to sit in queues of traffic."

The school run is done by bike and stay at home dad Sam says he is not the only one dropping the kids off that way, instead of using the family car. "There is at least one other family on my school run who do it too, " he says. "When you do it yourself, you notice if other people do as well."

"My car mostly sits parked up on the road - to the extent that it occasionally has needed jump starting due to lack of use. The garage tuts at me every time I take it for its MOT and says I should drive it more. That said, every now and then there comes a journey which we just wouldn't be able to feasibly do without a car - seeing family in the Scottish Borders would be one, or try getting to Chester Zoo by public transport, it's possible but takes FOREVER. But for the day to day stuff, we don't touch it."

Sam says saving money on the cost of living crisis is an added bonus to an already long list of benefits - some of which motorists may not have thought of. The components are all things cyclists can just buy off the peg and Sam says he wouldn't hesitate to encourage other motorists to leave the car in the garage and get cycling.

He says: "Just being able to get on the bike on a cold morning and you don't have to wait for it to de-mist is great. You can go right up to where you are going and just park up. There's no looking for parking spaces and you don't get stuck in traffic."

"The wind in your hair feels really nice and even if it is raining, it's OK," Sam adds. "You can just put a coat on and humans are waterproof. You just have to find routes that you are comfortable with.

"I'm seriously considering giving up having a car of our own and renting when we need - possibly joining a car club. It would make sense not to have to be paying for tax, insurance and maintenance all the time. And then, we are seriously talking about getting a second cargo bike. I could not recommend it enough."

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/no-looking-parking-never-stuck-23470289#comments-wrapper

On 03/04/2022 05:46 pm, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
> Petrol prices have rocketed and running and maintaining a car is more expensive than ever before - but one savvy dad is beating the system by ferrying two of his four children around on his long tail cargo bike. The bike can carry one adult and two children and dad-of-four Sam Easterby-Smith from Withington is saving a packet by leaving the car at home and using his other set of wheels instead.
>
> Software engineer Sam, who has two young children Poppy, one, and Aline, six and two teenagers Laurel, 15 and Cassie, 13, says transporting his younger children around in the car is not only cheaper - it is environmentally friendly too. Sam says: "It's my substitute Range Rover. To some extent it is about saving money and I do have a car. I do the vast amount of my journeys by bike - it's more environmentally sound and you don't have to sit in queues of traffic."
>
> The school run is done by bike and stay at home dad Sam says he is not the only one dropping the kids off that way, instead of using the family car. "There is at least one other family on my school run who do it too, " he says. "When you do it yourself, you notice if other people do as well."
>
> "My car mostly sits parked up on the road - to the extent that it occasionally has needed jump starting due to lack of use. The garage tuts at me every time I take it for its MOT and says I should drive it more. That said, every now and then there comes a journey which we just wouldn't be able to feasibly do without a car - seeing family in the Scottish Borders would be one, or try getting to Chester Zoo by public transport, it's possible but takes FOREVER. But for the day to day stuff, we don't touch it."
>
> Sam says saving money on the cost of living crisis is an added bonus to an already long list of benefits - some of which motorists may not have thought of. The components are all things cyclists can just buy off the peg and Sam says he wouldn't hesitate to encourage other motorists to leave the car in the garage and get cycling.
>
> He says: "Just being able to get on the bike on a cold morning and you don't have to wait for it to de-mist is great. You can go right up to where you are going and just park up. There's no looking for parking spaces and you don't get stuck in traffic."
>
> "The wind in your hair feels really nice and even if it is raining, it's OK," Sam adds. "You can just put a coat on and humans are waterproof. You just have to find routes that you are comfortable with.
>
> "I'm seriously considering giving up having a car of our own and renting when we need - possibly joining a car club.

Oh, right...

Has he done it?

[delete as appropriate:]

No...

No...

No...

> It would make sense not to have to be paying for tax, insurance and maintenance all the time. And then, we are seriously talking about getting a second cargo bike. I could not recommend it enough."

Has he done it?
>
> https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/no-looking-parking-never-stuck-23470289#comments-wrapper

On 03/04/2022 16:46, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:

> Petrol prices have rocketed and running and maintaining a car is more expensive than ever before - but one savvy dad is beating the system by ferrying two of his four children around on his long tail cargo bike. The bike can carry one adult and two children and dad-of-four Sam Easterby-Smith from Withington is saving a packet by leaving the car at home and using his other set of wheels instead.

He should be done for child endangerment.

--
Spike

On 4/04/22 20:49, Spike wrote:
> On 03/04/2022 16:46, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
>
>> Petrol prices have rocketed and running and maintaining a car is more expensive than ever before - but one savvy dad is beating the system by ferrying two of his four children around on his long tail cargo bike. The bike can carry one adult and two children and dad-of-four Sam Easterby-Smith from Withington is saving a packet by leaving the car at home and using his other set of wheels instead.
>
> He should be done for child endangerment.
>
Why?

On Monday, 4 April 2022 at 09:52:21 UTC+1, Peter Keller wrote:
> On 4/04/22 20:49, Spike wrote:
> > On 03/04/2022 16:46, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
> >
> >> Petrol prices have rocketed and running and maintaining a car is more expensive than ever before - but one savvy dad is beating the system by ferrying two of his four children around on his long tail cargo bike. The bike can carry one adult and two children and dad-of-four Sam Easterby-Smith from Withington is saving a packet by leaving the car at home and using his other set of wheels instead.
> >
> > He should be done for child endangerment.
> >
> Why?

+1
Road danger comes from motor vehicles.

On 04/04/2022 09:28, Mike Collins wrote:
> On Monday, 4 April 2022 at 09:52:21 UTC+1, Peter Keller wrote:
>> On 4/04/22 20:49, Spike wrote:
>>> On 03/04/2022 16:46, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:

>>>> Petrol prices have rocketed and running and maintaining a car is more expensive than ever before - but one savvy dad is beating the system by ferrying two of his four children around on his long tail cargo bike. The bike can carry one adult and two children and dad-of-four Sam Easterby-Smith from Withington is saving a packet by leaving the car at home and using his other set of wheels instead.

>>> He should be done for child endangerment.

>> Why?

> +1

> Road danger comes from motor vehicles.

Not entirely. Cyclists have been known to kill other cyclists. And
consider that some cyclists boast of not obeying 20mph limits outside
schools, and riding on pavements outside schools.

--
Spike

> Road danger comes from motor vehicles.

As shown by this handy table:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FEi6yDeXMAAnNr4?format=jpg&name=large

Why are UK drivers so scared of these?

http://babyccinokids.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/bakfiets4.jpg

On Monday, 4 April 2022 at 10:58:26 UTC+1, Spike wrote:
> On 04/04/2022 09:28, Mike Collins wrote:
> > On Monday, 4 April 2022 at 09:52:21 UTC+1, Peter Keller wrote:
> >> On 4/04/22 20:49, Spike wrote:
> >>> On 03/04/2022 16:46, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
>
> >>>> Petrol prices have rocketed and running and maintaining a car is more expensive than ever before - but one savvy dad is beating the system by ferrying two of his four children around on his long tail cargo bike. The bike can carry one adult and two children and dad-of-four Sam Easterby-Smith from Withington is saving a packet by leaving the car at home and using his other set of wheels instead.
>
> >>> He should be done for child endangerment.
>
> >> Why?
>
> > +1
>
> > Road danger comes from motor vehicles.
> Not entirely. Cyclists have been known to kill other cyclists. And
> consider that some cyclists boast of not obeying 20mph limits outside
> schools, and riding on pavements outside schools.
>
>
> --
> Spike

Sure, but it is very rare. Just like this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsZgG-MaZt8
If the driver was wearing a helmet this would not have happened.

On 04/04/2022 12:22, Mike Collins wrote:
> On Monday, 4 April 2022 at 10:58:26 UTC+1, Spike wrote:
>> On 04/04/2022 09:28, Mike Collins wrote:
>>> On Monday, 4 April 2022 at 09:52:21 UTC+1, Peter Keller wrote:
>>>> On 4/04/22 20:49, Spike wrote:
>>>>> On 03/04/2022 16:46, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:

>>>>>> Petrol prices have rocketed and running and maintaining a car is more expensive than ever before - but one savvy dad is beating the system by ferrying two of his four children around on his long tail cargo bike. The bike can carry one adult and two children and dad-of-four Sam Easterby-Smith from Withington is saving a packet by leaving the car at home and using his other set of wheels instead.

>>>>> He should be done for child endangerment.

>>>> Why?

>>> +1

>>> Road danger comes from motor vehicles.

>> Not entirely. Cyclists have been known to kill other cyclists. And
>> consider that some cyclists boast of not obeying 20mph limits outside
>> schools, and riding on pavements outside schools.

> Sure, but it is very rare. Just like this.
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsZgG-MaZt8
> If the driver was wearing a helmet this would not have happened.

Such a low proportion of UK homicides are by shooting, it's so rare you
have to wonder why there's all this fuss about gun control.

--
Spike

On 04/04/2022 09:52 am, Peter Keller wrote:

> On 4/04/22 20:49, Spike wrote:

>> On 03/04/2022 16:46, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:

>>> Petrol prices have rocketed and running and maintaining a car is more expensive than ever before - but one savvy dad is beating the system by ferrying two of his four children around on his long tail cargo bike. The bike can carry one adult and two children and dad-of-four Sam Easterby-Smith from Withington is saving a packet by leaving the car at home and using his other set of wheels instead.
>
>> He should be done for child endangerment.

> Why?

Circus acts aren't even allowed to use animals any more, let alone children.

On 04/04/2022 10:58 am, Spike wrote:

> On 04/04/2022 09:28, Mike Collins wrote:
>> On Monday, 4 April 2022 at 09:52:21 UTC+1, Peter Keller wrote:
>>> On 4/04/22 20:49, Spike wrote:
>>>> On 03/04/2022 16:46, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
>
>>>>> Petrol prices have rocketed and running and maintaining a car is more expensive than ever before - but one savvy dad is beating the system by ferrying two of his four children around on his long tail cargo fairy-bike. The fairy-bike can carry one adult and two children and dad-of-four Sam Easterby-Smith from Withington is saving a packet by leaving the car at home and using his other set of wheels instead.
>
>>>> He should be done for child endangerment.
>
>>> Why?
>
>> +1
>> Road danger comes from motor vehicles.
>
> Not entirely. Cyclists have been known to kill other cyclists. And
> consider that some cyclists boast of not obeying 20mph limits outside
> schools, and riding on pavements outside schools.

But it doesn't actually matter where the danger comes from, or where the
more deranged fairy-cyclists *claim* it comes from.

Endangering children and failing to afford them the maximum
easily-available protection is a form of abuse.

On 04/04/2022 11:31 am, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:

> Why are UK drivers so scared of these?

> http://babyccinokids.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/bakfiets4.jpg

It's that child who should be scared.

"My great-great-uncle Sam,
A very tranquil sort of man,
Could not afford his wife a pram -
He pushed his babies round the park
In a green wheelbarrow".

Jake Thackray, (P) 1969.

On 04/04/2022 14:06, JNugent wrote:
> On 04/04/2022 10:58 am, Spike wrote:
>> On 04/04/2022 09:28, Mike Collins wrote:
>>> On Monday, 4 April 2022 at 09:52:21 UTC+1, Peter Keller wrote:
>>>> On 4/04/22 20:49, Spike wrote:
>>>>> On 03/04/2022 16:46, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:

>>>>>> Petrol prices have rocketed and running and maintaining a car is more expensive than ever before - but one savvy dad is beating the system by ferrying two of his four children around on his long tail cargo fairy-bike. The fairy-bike can carry one adult and two children and dad-of-four Sam Easterby-Smith from Withington is saving a packet by leaving the car at home and using his other set of wheels instead.

>>>>> He should be done for child endangerment.

>>>> Why?

> But it doesn't actually matter where the danger comes from, or where the
> more deranged fairy-cyclists *claim* it comes from.

> Endangering children and failing to afford them the maximum
> easily-available protection is a form of abuse.

The safety requirements for child seats in cars impose rigorous and high
standards.

There is no safety for the children riding in that god-awful contraption.

Why are cyclists so cavalier, when it comes to them undertaking even
simple safety measures?

--
Spike

On Monday, April 4, 2022 at 11:31:33 AM UTC+1, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
> Why are UK drivers so scared of these?
>
> http://babyccinokids.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/bakfiets4.jpg

If they can't cope with these objects then how on earth can they be expected to cope with horses or baby buggies?

HAND IN YOUR LICENCES NOW!

On 04/04/2022 04:22 pm, Spike wrote:
> On 04/04/2022 14:06, JNugent wrote:
>> On 04/04/2022 10:58 am, Spike wrote:
>>> On 04/04/2022 09:28, Mike Collins wrote:
>>>> On Monday, 4 April 2022 at 09:52:21 UTC+1, Peter Keller wrote:
>>>>> On 4/04/22 20:49, Spike wrote:
>>>>>> On 03/04/2022 16:46, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
>
>>>>>>> Petrol prices have rocketed and running and maintaining a car is more expensive than ever before - but one savvy dad is beating the system by ferrying two of his four children around on his long tail cargo fairy-bike. The fairy-bike can carry one adult and two children and dad-of-four Sam Easterby-Smith from Withington is saving a packet by leaving the car at home and using his other set of wheels instead.
>
>>>>>> He should be done for child endangerment.
>
>>>>> Why?
>
>> But it doesn't actually matter where the danger comes from, or where the
>> more deranged fairy-cyclists *claim* it comes from.
>
>> Endangering children and failing to afford them the maximum
>> easily-available protection is a form of abuse.
>
> The safety requirements for child seats in cars impose rigorous and high
> standards.
>
> There is no safety for the children riding in that god-awful contraption.
>
> Why are cyclists so cavalier, when it comes to them undertaking even
> simple safety measures?

They're too kewl for things like that.

And too stingy, even though they're apparently all Considerably Richer
Than the likes of us.

On Monday, 4 April 2022 at 15:06:34 UTC+1, JNugent wrote:
> On 04/04/2022 10:58 am, Spike wrote:
>
> > On 04/04/2022 09:28, Mike Collins wrote:
> >> On Monday, 4 April 2022 at 09:52:21 UTC+1, Peter Keller wrote:
> >>> On 4/04/22 20:49, Spike wrote:
> >>>> On 03/04/2022 16:46, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
> >
> >>>>> Petrol prices have rocketed and running and maintaining a car is more expensive than ever before - but one savvy dad is beating the system by ferrying two of his four children around on his long tail cargo fairy-bike. The fairy-bike can carry one adult and two children and dad-of-four Sam Easterby-Smith from Withington is saving a packet by leaving the car at home and using his other set of wheels instead.
> >
> >>>> He should be done for child endangerment.
> >
> >>> Why?
> >
> >> +1
> >> Road danger comes from motor vehicles.
> >
> > Not entirely. Cyclists have been known to kill other cyclists. And
> > consider that some cyclists boast of not obeying 20mph limits outside
> > schools, and riding on pavements outside schools.
> But it doesn't actually matter where the danger comes from, or where the
> more deranged fairy-cyclists *claim* it comes from.
>
> Endangering children and failing to afford them the maximum
> easily-available protection is a form of abuse.

How many children are killed in motor vehicles compared with pedal cycles each year?

Probably alright for nipping around near his mansion in east Withington but doesn't look safe for busy city roads at all. Also that setup will have cost a good £2500. Nice to know that software engineers on £100k salaries are feeling the 'cost of living crisis' (aka government austerity policy) as well as us normal folk though.

5 hrs ago

2.5k? You'd be lucky. The trailer alone is £500+ but worth every penny.. Bikes & equipment don't depreciate any where near cars. Funny that people think spending 20k on a car is ok but a few grand on a bike is nuts :)

On Monday, 4 April 2022 at 17:35:16 UTC+1, JNugent wrote:
> On 04/04/2022 04:22 pm, Spike wrote:
> > On 04/04/2022 14:06, JNugent wrote:
> >> On 04/04/2022 10:58 am, Spike wrote:
> >>> On 04/04/2022 09:28, Mike Collins wrote:
> >>>> On Monday, 4 April 2022 at 09:52:21 UTC+1, Peter Keller wrote:
> >>>>> On 4/04/22 20:49, Spike wrote:
> >>>>>> On 03/04/2022 16:46, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
> >
> >>>>>>> Petrol prices have rocketed and running and maintaining a car is more expensive than ever before - but one savvy dad is beating the system by ferrying two of his four children around on his long tail cargo fairy-bike. The fairy-bike can carry one adult and two children and dad-of-four Sam Easterby-Smith from Withington is saving a packet by leaving the car at home and using his other set of wheels instead.
> >
> >>>>>> He should be done for child endangerment.
> >
> >>>>> Why?
> >
> >> But it doesn't actually matter where the danger comes from, or where the
> >> more deranged fairy-cyclists *claim* it comes from.
> >
> >> Endangering children and failing to afford them the maximum
> >> easily-available protection is a form of abuse.
> >
> > The safety requirements for child seats in cars impose rigorous and high
> > standards.
> >
> > There is no safety for the children riding in that god-awful contraption.
> >
> > Why are cyclists so cavalier, when it comes to them undertaking even
> > simple safety measures?
> They're too kewl for things like that.
>
> And too stingy, even though they're apparently all Considerably Richer
> Than the likes of us.

Ban driver seatbelts and airbags, put a large metal spike in the middle of the steering wheel and the roads would be much safer.

On 04/04/2022 05:35 pm, Mike Collins wrote:
> On Monday, 4 April 2022 at 15:06:34 UTC+1, JNugent wrote:
>> On 04/04/2022 10:58 am, Spike wrote:
>>
>>> On 04/04/2022 09:28, Mike Collins wrote:
>>>> On Monday, 4 April 2022 at 09:52:21 UTC+1, Peter Keller wrote:
>>>>> On 4/04/22 20:49, Spike wrote:
>>>>>> On 03/04/2022 16:46, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
>>>
>>>>>>> Petrol prices have rocketed and running and maintaining a car is more expensive than ever before - but one savvy dad is beating the system by ferrying two of his four children around on his long tail cargo fairy-bike. The fairy-bike can carry one adult and two children and dad-of-four Sam Easterby-Smith from Withington is saving a packet by leaving the car at home and using his other set of wheels instead.
>>>
>>>>>> He should be done for child endangerment.
>>>
>>>>> Why?
>>>
>>>> +1
>>>> Road danger comes from motor vehicles.
>>>
>>> Not entirely. Cyclists have been known to kill other cyclists. And
>>> consider that some cyclists boast of not obeying 20mph limits outside
>>> schools, and riding on pavements outside schools.
>> But it doesn't actually matter where the danger comes from, or where the
>> more deranged fairy-cyclists *claim* it comes from.
>>
>> Endangering children and failing to afford them the maximum
>> easily-available protection is a form of abuse.
>
> How many children are killed in motor vehicles compared with pedal cycles each year?

This isn't about fairy-cycles per se. It's about open wooden boxes
(containing children) attached to the front of fairy-cycles pedalled by
fairy-cyclists.

Luckily for children, not many parents are irresponsible enough to put
them in a large wheelbarrow-shaped open wooden box and then push the box
out into traffic.

On 04/04/2022 08:26 pm, Mike Collins wrote:
> On Monday, 4 April 2022 at 17:35:16 UTC+1, JNugent wrote:
>> On 04/04/2022 04:22 pm, Spike wrote:
>>> On 04/04/2022 14:06, JNugent wrote:
>>>> On 04/04/2022 10:58 am, Spike wrote:
>>>>> On 04/04/2022 09:28, Mike Collins wrote:
>>>>>> On Monday, 4 April 2022 at 09:52:21 UTC+1, Peter Keller wrote:
>>>>>>> On 4/04/22 20:49, Spike wrote:
>>>>>>>> On 03/04/2022 16:46, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
>>>
>>>>>>>>> Petrol prices have rocketed and running and maintaining a car is more expensive than ever before - but one savvy dad is beating the system by ferrying two of his four children around on his long tail cargo fairy-bike. The fairy-bike can carry one adult and two children and dad-of-four Sam Easterby-Smith from Withington is saving a packet by leaving the car at home and using his other set of wheels instead.
>>>
>>>>>>>> He should be done for child endangerment.
>>>
>>>>>>> Why?
>>>
>>>> But it doesn't actually matter where the danger comes from, or where the
>>>> more deranged fairy-cyclists *claim* it comes from.
>>>
>>>> Endangering children and failing to afford them the maximum
>>>> easily-available protection is a form of abuse.
>>>
>>> The safety requirements for child seats in cars impose rigorous and high
>>> standards.
>>>
>>> There is no safety for the children riding in that god-awful contraption.
>>>
>>> Why are cyclists so cavalier, when it comes to them undertaking even
>>> simple safety measures?
>> They're too kewl for things like that.
>>
>> And too stingy, even though they're apparently all Considerably Richer
>> Than the likes of us.
>
> Ban driver seatbelts and airbags, put a large metal spike in the middle of the steering wheel and the roads would be much safer.

Do you always find it so hard to be original?

On 04/04/2022 16:15, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:

> If they can't cope with these objects then how on earth can they be expected to cope with horses or baby buggies?

> HAND IN YOUR LICENCES NOW!

MAKE THE ROADS SAFER

HAND IN YOUR BICYCLES NOW!

--
Spike

On 04/04/2022 19:26, Mike Collins wrote:

> Ban driver seatbelts and airbags

What a peculiar attitude cyclists have to safety!

--
Spike

On Monday, April 4, 2022 at 8:26:45 PM UTC+1, Mike Collins wrote:

> Ban driver seatbelts and airbags, put a large metal spike in the middle of the steering wheel and the roads would be much safer.

Agreed - at least then they will feel the pain that they inflict on thousands of innocent people every year. Some who are permanently disabled and crippled.

On 05/04/2022 10:05, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
> On Monday, April 4, 2022 at 8:26:45 PM UTC+1, Mike Collins wrote:

>> Ban driver seatbelts and airbags, put a large metal spike in the middle of the steering wheel and the roads would be much safer.

> Agreed - at least then they will feel the pain that they inflict on thousands of innocent people every year. Some who are permanently disabled and crippled.

"Equal misery for all" is quite a concept.

--
Spike