By the author of Street Survivalism: A Practical Training Guide To Life In The City and The Ultimate Survival Gear Handbook.
For those who believe an economic SHTF is in the cards – in the form of a deep recession or even depression – here are some proven ideas and strategies for transportation and mobility during austere times.
If I didn’t believe in the possibility of TEOTWAWKI, I wouldn’t be much of a prepper. But I don’t think the crap will hit the fan in full force, at least not in the more developed countries, states, and cities. I could be wrong, of course, but so far, history is on my side (thankfully, I must add).
However, crap happens even when it doesn’t hit the fan – and that’s exactly what Thirdwoldization is. No matter what occurs, life won’t return to how it was before 2020. The coming years will be difficult, and this will be an SHTF unto itself, particularly for populations used to high levels of comfort and convenience.
History always provides a lesson.
Whether the SHTF or not, the fact is the entire world is now experiencing a terrible economic downturn. People in the First World are starting to wake up to (and feel) that reality.
I’ve discussed the 1980s economic struggles in Brazil as well as the measures people took to maintain their standard of living. Jose from Venezuela also frequently offers practical guidance based on even worse situations that occurred in his country during the past ten years.
People frequently believe that the current situation is unprecedented, yet this is not the case. Of course, there are distinctions, but the background, particularly the energy crisis, is quite reminiscent of the periods I describe as reference. And energy, as a master commodity, is a powerful driver of change and turmoil.
Western nations experienced severe petroleum shortages and skyrocketing costs during the 1970s energy crisis.
The Yom Kippur War and the Iranian Revolution caused disruptions in Middle Eastern oil exports, resulting in the two biggest crises of this time period, the 1973 Oil Shock and the 1979 energy crisis.
The expense of driving rates is felt by American households. The cost of owning and maintaining a private car is one of the reasons why transportation is the second-highest average expense after housing. Driving poses a huge financial burden for many because median salaries have stagnated in inflation-adjusted terms, and many urban areas are facing even greater inclusion issues.
Necessity is the mother of invention.
These problems in the energy sector had an impact on people all over the world, in addition to the misery brought on by the weak economy. I recall the long waits in front of the gas stations as people waited for the gas truck to come.
Fuel was rationed, and you never knew if there would be enough to fill the tank once you reached the pump. Often we’d go back empty to try the next day again or sleep in the car to keep the place in line. To remain mobile, people had to adapt and devise new tactics.
When the SHTF, routine may be disrupted, but life carries on.
Also born out of necessity is adaptation. My experience has taught me that there isn’t much that can be done to prepare for such a situation, and I feel compelled to say as much. Certainly not in the manner that more conventional preparing promotes.
Traditional preparation works best for shocks, to soften the blow. Long-lasting crises call for a mental shift and ultimately result in lifestyle, routine, and habit modifications over time. This process is happening now, and that’s what I mean when I say the real crisis hasn’t yet sunk in. These things take time.
Be ready for the worst.
I will advise anyone who drives a gas guzzler to consider downsizing. Huge cars and powerful engines are luxuries that belong in prosperous, developed societies. For periods of less prosperity, smaller, more practical cars are preferable (and draw less attention as a bonus).
Many households own two, three, or even more vehicles. These accrue high, ongoing costs that include not only fuel but also taxes, insurance, maintenance, depreciation, and other costs. It’s a substantial burden that weighs heavily in the event of a drop in income, a job loss, or an emergency.
Moving closer to work, school, places of attendance, and other important locations is another excellent way to save money and time on commuting. Overall, it makes life simpler. I am aware that this is not always possible for everyone for a variety of reasons. In any case, make an effort to distinguish between psychological and actual, objective restrictions.
Timing is critical.
Normalcy bias is also prevalent when it comes to transportation and mobility. Most people have to be forced into adaptation, which emphasizes the value of being ahead of the curve.
The sooner we act, the better. That’s the idea and the point of preparing. It’s even possible to profit by taking proactive measures. Many people get stuck as the window of opportunity closes, and everything becomes more difficult. Now is the perfect moment to look into potential solutions and alternatives.
Only you are able to determine how important transportation is to your family’s lifestyle relative to other factors. Keep an open mind and consider the possibilities and circumstances. Although not everyone may be affected equally, crises often result in a change in priorities. Often, we are compelled to accomplish what we can rather than what we want.
It’s time to start thinking about carpooling.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019, over 76% of Americans drive alone to work daily, while another 9% carpool with someone else on average These figures vary among states and cities, but even in the healthiest state (New York), carpoolers are a minority: 47.2%, still a lot better than the worse, Alabama, where only 14.8% carpool [SOURCE].
Once again, solo commuting in a large (or even small) vehicle is a luxury of contemporary life, at least in industrialized and wealthy nations. When the economy collapses, the standard of living follows even if oil prices don’t soar. Every dollar counts when there aren’t as many jobs and resources available. If it doesn’t now, it definitely will later on, I promise.
Is rotation a possibility?
When I was a child, parents would alternate driving their children and friends to activities like parties, games, and school. This saved time and petrol because a different parent would be driving on each day or vacation. I’m sure it was annoying for them to have so many young devils running around in the car today, but we had a great time anyhow.
Anyhow, carpooling and driver rotation are fantastic ways to cut costs while maintaining the pleasure and convenience of commuting or touring in a car and carrying the entire family (or gang). It necessitates coordination with friends, neighbors, coworkers, etc. These are merely annoyances, though, in hard times.
Walking is always an option.
My grandpa didn’t even have a driver’s license while he resided in a then-midsized town. He never owned a car and did everything on foot or by public transportation. He lived to his 100s. I’m not sure how much those things relate, but at least he was a happy and healthy trekker.
Such a lifestyle would be a hindrance to a lot of people in this day and age, if not outright impossible. However, in many cases, the most common barrier is mental (inertia, laziness, etc.). The ones I know who started walking for work, school, and lunch, by their own initiative or the doctors’ order, enjoyed it so much they became addicted.
Even those who live far from their regular destinations can blend modes for convenience, economy, and fitness. Like walking the remaining distance or part(s) of a journey to your destination after taking a train, bus, or even a car.
Pros:
- In addition to being an excellent workout, walking helps clear the mind and combat anxiety.
- It also helps develop situational awareness and observation. Those are the reasons I encourage and promote walking in In my street survival training book.
Cons:
- Walking is slow for modern living standards, even when done at a brisk pace. But that depends on each one’s lifestyle, of course.
- All ages can use it, although it demands mobility and is not a possibility in areas with harsh winters or summers.
- Although it has a limited impact, it nonetheless has the potential to cause injury. To reduce risk, be sure to always wear appropriate footwear and socks, and gradually increase distance and load.
Don’t forget about bicycles.
Here I am, talking about bicycles once more. But the truth is that during a recession, bikes are an even better option for affordable transportation. The biggest obstacles to exercising, such as biking or walking, are psychological. As soon as people break from inertia, a miracle occurs.
Pros:
There are several advantages.
- It’s a cheap exercise that has a modest impact (entry and maintenance).
- High-grin factor, excellent for conditioning and fitness.
- Fast and nimble in the city or the wilderness, adaptable, and simple to park (or carry along).
- They may be transported by buses, trains, subways, etc.
- E-bikes allow for some workout while moving more quickly and dryly.
Cons:
- Not really made for rugged terrain.
- Comparatively simpler to steal than autos.
- Greater possibility of injury from accidents.
- Limited load capacity, although this can be overcome by employing a trailer.
- Restricted use during severe weather (rain, cold, and heat).
Public transportation may be available.
Where they are good and plentiful, like in most cities in Europe and North America, subways, trains, and buses are excellent and relatively inexpensive modes of transportation.
I am aware that the local residents are dissatisfied with the standard of public transportation services. Undoubtedly, supply is always behind demand, even in wealthy countries. But trust me, once you try public transportation in underdeveloped nations, you’ll appreciate how fortunate you are.
In any case, public transportation suffers during emergencies. Fewer trains, metros, and buses continue to run. And these begin to experience depredation, overcrowding, overwork, and other problems. While safety may or may not be affected, comfort is unquestionably impacted.
However, for many people, public transit is the only option, and the user base swells significantly when the economy is struggling. People either sell their cars or drive them far less frequently. When formulating your transportation plan, weigh the costs of keeping a car at home vs. utilizing it more frequently to spread the costs.
Pros:
- Cost-effective compared to purchasing and operating a vehicle.
Cons:
- Limited options
- Less comfort
- Low time and itinerary flexibility.\
(Need to know how to evacuate in a hurry? Check out our free QUICKSTART Guide.)
Scooters and motorcycles are a great alternative.
In less developed nations, millions of people use motorbikes, scooters, and mopeds as their primary mode of mobility. It’s not just a quick way to go around in traffic that never moves, but it’s also highly affordable and adaptable.
I’ve been using motorbikes and scooters regularly for years, whether for work, errands, or just general transportation. These, along with bicycles, are what I refer to as “time machines” instead of vehicles – because they drastically reduce the amount of time, stress, and money we spend on our daily activities. You have to give it a try to see.
A scooter can change your life—in a good way—in a big, dense city like mine (13 million souls). The worse the traffic conditions, the greater the benefits. I’m aware that not everyone gets along well with two-wheeled vehicles. They carry considerable dangers. But the benefits vastly exceed this. If affordability and maneuverability are priorities, as they are during recessions, it might be the best means of transportation.
Pros:
- Fast and inexpensive.
- Extremely quick in traffic.
- It is simple and quite inexpensive to ride, maintain, park, and insure.
- Sells more quickly and easily than vehicles.
- They are capable of moving merchandise and a second passenger on open roads and highways.
Cons:
- In snowy and icy weather, riding is impractical and hazardous.
- Similar to bicycles, riders are subject to the elements and more dangerous mishaps.
“Electric Urban Vehicles”
I’m referring to the plethora of electricity-powered one, two, and three-wheeled urban vehicles. These take a lot less energy and can accomplish considerably more for solo urban mobility than electric cars. Monocycles, tricycles, e-scooters, e-bikes, and electric motorbikes are a few examples.
Pros:
- Cheaper and less complicated than e-cars.
- Slower than a combustion engine but faster than walking equals safety and versatility.
- Most types may be charged using commonly available outlets thanks to their lower capacity.
- Require no licenses.
- Some can be readily parked or transported inside buildings, trains, and buses.
- May move along roadways, bike lanes, and sidewalks (depending on local regulations and laws).
Cons:
- Some need practice to operate safely in actual traffic.
- Fast obsolescence results from rapid technological advancements.
- Once the battery dies, most models are considered disposable.
What about electric cars?
That is a valid question with nuanced angles and answers. We are being sold the green dream, but these adaptations aren’t even that. They are expensive, take mountains (literally) of rare materials to build (some very polluting), and require special care when they die.
Call me biased or old-fashioned, but the only benefits I can see for electric automobiles are their coolness and status. As opposed to combustion-engine cars, they are neither cheap to purchase nor cost-effective to operate and maintain. This benefits car manufacturers’ marketing and finances more than the environment.
Most electric vehicles have poor range and require lengthy recharges. Some even need special stations and plugs. Maybe a hybrid model would be acceptable, but even those need specialized (and therefore pricey) parts and upkeep. Better stick with a “regular” car if you want or need a vehicle to transport your family with some comfort and safety.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention how much technology can advance as e-cars scale up. The same happened to combustion-powered vehicles. However, a breakthrough in battery production would be required to get past the materials needed to make them, which is still a ways off. They aren’t dealing with any of the world’s issues at the moment.
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Concluding thoughts on SHTF transportation during an economic crisis…
I am speaking from my own experience. Others might be different. In either case, any pricey or fuel-intensive vehicle will become a burden when circumstances are hard. Whether it is diesel, gasoline, or electricity makes no difference.
But there’s also the matter of mobility, so there’s that. The goal is to keep things simple since that’s what people do in times of economic crisis or in regions where crises never end. Simplifying is the best approach.
Your ability to own and operate a vehicle depends on how common, straightforward, and inexpensive it is, as well as how simple and inexpensive it is to maintain. Drawing less attention is another benefit, which will become more important as crime increases.
I’m not claiming one is better than the other; I’m just listing the options and emphasizing how crucial it is to calculate your options. Now imagine that you and your family still need to move about the city or local area frequently, but your income took a knock or disappeared totally. What would you do? That will give a suggestion as to the most effective tactics.
What are some other options? Which of these would work best for you? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.
About Fabian
Fabian Ommar is a 50-year-old middle-class worker living in São Paulo, Brazil. Far from being the super-tactical or highly trained military survivor type, he is the average joe who since his youth has been involved with self-reliance and outdoor activities and the practical side of balancing life between a big city and rural/wilderness settings. Since the 2008 world economic crisis, he has been training and helping others in his area to become better prepared for the “constant, slow-burning SHTF” of living in a 3rd world country.
Fabian’s ebook, Street Survivalism: A Practical Training Guide To Life In The City , is a practical training method for common city dwellers based on the lifestyle of the homeless (real-life survivors) to be more psychologically, mentally, and physically prepared to deal with the harsh reality of the streets during normal or difficult times. He’s also the author of The Ultimate Survival Gear Handbook.
You can follow Fabian on Instagram @stoicsurvivor
According to various hedge fund managers, economists, energy industry experts, farmers, even one of my goats, all agree a economic down turn is on the horizon.
Some say late this year, others say 2023. The technical definition of a recession has already been met. MSM is trying to spin it differently.
Read everything from “mild recession,” to “OMG!WEAREALLGOINGTODIE!” and everything in between.
The national average for gas stopped its decline and actually went up a tic. Some are expecting gas prices to rise again. Others say all energy prices will spike this winter.
With the work from home paradigm, we have been able to mitigate our gas budget to a degree. We still feel the pain at the pump. The upside is we can think we could go down to a one vehicle household. It would make the most sense to keep the smaller, more fuel efficient one, but we do occasionally need to truck for large or heavy loads. A Prius is not going to hack it.
EVs, they are wishful thinking. Limited range. Long charging times, unless you can find a fast charger, or have one installed in your home, but that also costs more money.
No one talks about the rare earth elements needed for them, the environmental impacts of refinement (we just off shore those to China or other poor countries), or disposal of the batteries at their end of life. According to some studies, there just is not enough of those elements to go into every single EV in the Western world.
No one talks about how toxic those batteries are, or the cost of recycling. Only 10% of solar power panels are recycled (additional costs). The rest are bound for a landfill.
And no one talks about the energy requirements to charge all these EVs.
Right now, there are hundreds of high-end, super-sports cars like Ferraris, Lambos and others being abandoned in the desert in Dubai.
Over there it´s a crime to purchase something and not paying for it, or staying behind with taxes and stuff. So they drive it and leave it. Some with the keys inside.
This past week at one point there was 144 Urus (the Lambo SUV) listed on eBay, vs. 132 Civics.
Once E-cars being sold now require battery changes, and owners realize it costs up to 80% of the car´s price, they´ll abandon these, too. All those cool V6 and V8 trucks, SUVs, have no place in recession.
There´s still buyers for all these of course. Most wealthies will remain rich.
But it´s clear less and less people can afford these things. And hey, bankruptcy, layoffs, downsizing and such haven´t even started. I pray it doesn´t, honest to God, but the universe doesn´t care.
The globalists are going to make your energy prices skyrocket try this now
Visit…… https://cutt.ly/3V6qMAD
I don’t see any of these as an option. I am 64 and my husband is 71. My husband has the first cousin to ALS. My mailboxs is five miles away.
My nearest gas station is 25 miles away. We have temps over 100 F in the summer. We live off grid. So walking, bikes and electric cars won’t work. The electric car batteries are known to catch fire. Read how many homes burned down (plus a car dealership). Try $26,000 for a new battery. I drive a 100 miles to go to a decent grocery store. In the old days we would of had a horse, but now we need a car. Moving is not an option.
YOU ended with Moving is NOT an option. I do understand and when they write these articles they don’t think about people with disabilities. I have polio so in order to go I use my motorized scooter which goes into the lift on the back of my vehicle. I would not be able to use any transportation bus, shuttle, train or such that could NOT accommodate my scooter. A bicycle will not do me any good even though I used to ride one but now once I got there then what? Thankfully Walmart and other grocery stores do have motorized scooter for shopping, but I would need a way to get the food home and on a bike that might work if I had baskets on each side of it haha. I am NOT able to just take off walking without any mobility support b/c of my balance. I would fall and be down and not have the strength in my lower back to get up. I do wish someone could figure out a way for people with disabilities to “GO” when they need to go!!! ALL suggestions are more than welcomed. My mind is great, it’s the polio from the injection when I was 7 that messed me up for life. Covid did that also to lots of people…
Fabian’s overview of transportation options (and his own lifestyle living in Brazil’s largest city) is likely similar to what i observe & experience as a low-profile expat in Caracas Venezuela,…I keyed in on a keyword he mentioned that many in the US, Canada and Western Europe should get acquainted with now and that word was “Thirdwoldization” . Couple that with a more likely scenario of a slow-motion SHTF (as it happened in Venezuela) and that i that’s what i would say folks should expect in the coming months and years.
Yes Peter, in the US and Canada bicycles and scooters are used 99% for entertainment or sport only. It´s a bit different in Europe, there are cultural, social and economical reasons but it´s a fact.
One of the biggest changes caused by severe economic crises is exactly the adaptations in lifestyle and consumption habits. Transportation is part of that. I see too many downplaying or denying this, but fine.
Doesn´t matter what people do or say now. Everything will change. Some will adapt, others will rationalize, deny, fight, revolt. I´ve seen that, it´s always the same.
I would agree! It’s coming. People don’t believe it.
I saw on the news this morning that candy costs are up 20+%, and yet “they” anticipate more people to be out to celebrate halloween. So, costs are going up, but we’re living like it’s 1999!
Many are going to be shocked when there’s nothing left to buy and no money to buy it with , and nowhere to go.
The author brings up valid points and solutions, though as things get worse, Public Transport may be one of the first services to suffer cuts and shutdowns. We’re already seeing that with the Airlines.
Frankly, current EV Technology is nowhere near where it needs to be for this New Green Deal to be viable, so the powers that be are jumping the gun big time. The maddening thing about it, is you could cover the US with Windmills and Solar Panels, and the output still wouldn’t run the Grid.
I’m still of the opinion we’re heading towards Civil War. All the precursors leading up to it have either happened or are happening.
I keep hearing the US is heading towards Civil War. As a foreigner, I´m still not sure how much of this is concrete and objective, and how much is a feeling.
I´m not disputing anything, just honestly trying to understand. So I have some questions to you and the others Americans here, if you will.
How do you see a Civil War playing out? I mean, in practice.
Who´d fight who, and why? Would it be widespread, or localized (guerrilla)? A total societal breakdown with neighbors against neighbors like in the Balcans? State against state?
What would be the stages of this? Would the government sit down and watch, or intervene? Hard to believe they´d do nothing to squash any violence. The US govt is immensely powerful.
I have a hard time conceiving something that doesn´t have a shape or clear form. It´s not clear to me what the sides are on this, what would spark it, and how it could unfold.
First of all, there is a precedent for civil war in the U.S. Southerners no longer support slavery (duh) but we still don’t like being told what to do. Especially by Yankees, the federal government and California/leftists. People like gavin newsome don’t understand this. The more they push and deny Constitutional guarantees, the worse it’s going to get.
Second, Texas is different in many ways than most of the other states. We were our own nation, and still think about that when mandates and overreach happens.
How would it look? I don”t know and I doubt anyone else does until if/when it happens.
You can only push people so far until they either knuckle under or stand up.
Seems to me unless the people stand up NOTHING absolutely nothing will get any better. Just lining up and falling off the cliff seems to be very stupid, and of course we can’t fix stupid. People should know their rights and hold onto them or die!!!
I agree.
In school, we were taught the words of Patrick Henry: Give liberty or give me death. I think the current regime would love to give us death.
Earlier in your article, you wrote as a con “All ages can use it, although it demands mobility and is not a possibility in areas with harsh winters or summers.” When I was a kid, we always walked everywhere and when I visited northern Alaska, transportation during the winter was dependent on dog sleds, snowmobiles and walking using snowshoes. During harsh summers, walking should be limited to early morning or late evenings rather than during the heat of the day.
If you own your own home (as I do), you’re not going to be moving to be closer to work or school. It is too much of an inconvenience, and would probably wind up costing you more.
Electric cars and scooters are a luxury item, far more than an automobile in an economic crisis. I wouldn’t even consider one.
Now that my kids are in grade school (and I’m looking at retirement), a decent bike could be a partial solution. I live in a Houston suburb (Houston is nearly the size of the State of Rhode Island), and little is available on foot (nearest supermarket is two miles, kids school is four), but at least there’s a park within walking distance.
While there are some futurists who think that at some time people will transition from car ownership to subscriber access … how likely or how soon that might be is a gypsy fortune teller’s puzzle. But in the meantime there are such services as Uber and Lyft that might work for people whose vehicle transportation needs become much less … such as some work-from-home people, some retirees, some who are disabled, and some whose physical health issues costs them their driver’s license.
Much like Amazon and similar online sellers have decimated many brick and mortar retail chains, Uber has apparently caused the value of the taxi industry to tank.
While bicycles or scooters have a legitimate place, there are some cities that are hostile to both. I’ve lived in college towns where bicycle traffic is widespread and respected … but also in large cities where a bicycle would mean a quick trip to the morgue.
Here’s a good writeup about how to use Uber:
What is Uber and how does it work? (as of June 2022)
https://www.pocket-lint.com/apps/news/uber/139559-what-is-uber-and-how-does-it-work
–Lewis
I’ve been wanting to buy a bike for over 2 years now. I tried to get one in 2020, but there weren’t any. I chide myself for putting it off. Thanks for the prod to get it done pronto while I still can!
Great article, and good ideas, Fabian. One correction, at least in Ohio: We do have to have a license to have a scooter/moped (to drive them on the streets). I also don’t know how “cheap” they are. I’d love to get one. Some day, maybe.
I think in terms of serious SHTF. We live 3 miles from town and the nearest store and school for our grandchildren. Our son and grandsons could possibly walk to town, but that’s no longer an option for my husband and me. We have bicycles and they could use those, but I can’t.
Sounds crazy, but we could use our riding lawnmower if we had to. However, in a really serious SHTF, I’m wondering if there’d be any point in going to town. For what?
In the article, public transportation was mentioned. Most of the country doesn’t have any available, and in big cities, it’s a gamble with safety. I wouldn’t ride a subway with the rise in crime even if I lived in an area that had one. And I wouldn’t ride a bus in Dallas, Houston, Chicago, etc.
Out in California, the Amtrak has closed service between LA and San Diego due to shifting ground. https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2022/10/metrolink-amtrak-suspend-service-la-san-diego-indefinitely-due-ground-shifting/ So, Californians are discouraged from having gas powered cars, told to buy an EV (but not charge it) and now can’t ride the train from those 2 cities.
Anyone still doubt they want us to stay home in cold, dark houses eating bugs?
Personally, we don’t WANT to live near any public transportation!
I agree absolutely!
Sounds like some common sense thinking when you wrote I’m wondering if there’d be any point in going to town. For what? Yes and that is the point. Most people have NO common sense and the one that do may or may not think about that. Just what good would it do to be out on the road trying to get to town when after the SHTF what will be in town? Groceries (probably not), lots of “stuff”, stores still open, and restaurants etc. Highly doubtful that we would find anything much in own at all…People should think that way, but they don’t b/c they just keep thinking that things will be the same regardless, but they won’t. Even if you lived right downtown within a block or two what good would it do you after the SHTF or after a Nuclear War or after they finally do away with our cash. Then what? Ahhhh, time then to barter and hope there is someone close to barter with or you’re in trouble…I do love the country sooooo much, but at that point in time a few good neighbors would be like gold!!!
MY comment was written back to CARLA H…and it started with SOUNDS LIKE SOME COMMONSENSE THINKING!
Thank you. And I agree with everything you wrote. Our biggest issue would be water. There’s not enough rainfall in north Texas to support our family. If the rural water district shut down, I’m thinking that water trucks might possible make visits to town, but that would be about it. We no longer have a doctor in our local area. The library closed. We do go to church, but couldn’t keep going to our current one, as it’s about 10 miles away.
I assume store shelves would be empty.
There are 2 different water tables in our area. One is good and the other has been ruined by leaks from gas wells. We don’t have the money to have one drilled. A nearby neighbor has a well into the good water, but it’s highly likely that she wouldn’t share. She doesn’t like us or anyone else on our road.
My wife and I keep detailed records of our auto expenses and driving habits as part of our budget. A couple of years ago we decided to get a newer vehicle to replace one that was aging. It had a lot of miles on it and was starting to have some issues…..we did a detailed cost benefit analysis (my wife is in finance) using the information we’ve collected over the past couple of years about our travel habits and expenses. We also estimated repair costs if we kept that vehicle based on what we knew was going to need attention in the next couple of years. In our situation, EVs were not remotely close to being cost effective. It would have taken us more than 20 years to reap the ‘benefit’ of having an EV. With the money we saved by not buying an EV, we bought a slightly newer vehicle than originally planned, and two new bicycles. We use the bicycles daily.
To: Kelvin Skye…That sounds smart. bought a slightly newer vehicle than originally planned, and two new bicycles. YES, very good and it made sense. Stupid is out there, and they are NOT making these sensible decisions either. Thankfully there are still some alive that can think for themselves and follow accordingly. Kudos to you and the wifey…There is NO solution to stupid, it can’t be fixed.
An interesting aspect of vehicles to me is: their potential for roadblocks in serous SHTF. The first place on our dead-end road is a man who works on cars. Lots of cars. Lots and lots of cars. I’ve thought that if need be, several of his cars could be put at the corner and block entrance to our road. It would make an impasse because you couldn’t go around them on either side (a high bank on one side and his property full of vehicles on the other).
Some of the nearby neighbors (not on our road) have complained bitterly about how his place looks. It’s not pretty, but it just doesn’t bother me. This guy would be a good asset in madmax times and a great gate-keeper to our road.
RE: Bicycles – they don’t work in every situation, nor for everyone. But…they are an option. I’m a long-term biker with a 24-year-old hybrid Cannondale with over 45,000 miles on it. That means a new chain every 5K, a new cassette (rear gears) every 10K, new hub bearings (they support the pedal crank) every 20K, new wheel bearings every 25-30K, new saddle every 3-4 years, new spokes – yes, spokes are a wear item – about every 18 years (so far), etc. So, stock spare parts, especially tires and lots of tubes. I’ve had excellent results with puncture-resistant Armadillo tires made by Specialized. (FYI, you need spare parts for everything, not just your bicycle).
I’m now researching “foldable” bikes that fold up into a more portable package, specifically trying to find a high quality one that will roll on at least one wheel when folded so it doesn’t have to be carried everywhere. My plan is to have a “local transportation device” that easily fits on “planes, trains and automobiles” so I have my own ready-to-go short to moderate distance transportation when I arrive. Foldables are expensive, and each has different features so do your homework.