Car-free trial reveals Brisbane living ‘too hard’ without a private vehicle
news.uq.edu.au
Ten car-owning Brisbane residents were challenged to go about their daily lives without their vehicles for 20 days. Two main difficulties stood out during the study.
  • UQ researchers recruited 10 car-owning Brisbane residents to go without their vehicles for 20 days;
  • Participants were asked follow their regular schedules using only public transport, cycling, walking, micro-mobility devices such as scooters, and taxis and ride-share services in an emergency;
  • Brisbane’s sprawling urban layout and public transport limitations were identified as the main barriers to permanent car-free life in the city.
  • Ada@piefed.blahaj.zoneEnglish
    101·
    1 month ago

    Well shit. I’ve lived here for 30 years without owning a car. Guess I have to buy one now…

    • Taleya@aussie.zoneEnglish
      61·
      1 month ago

      Yeah i have some friends living on NDIS in Brisbane who have never had vehicles or access. Car driving can absolutely be an habitual addiction for some peeps

      • eureka@aussie.zoneEnglish
        5·
        1 month ago

        I also think it influences what their daily schedules were. If someone expects to be able to go to certain places at certain times via car, that may no longer be possible, but if they were never using cars for primary transport, their obligations may be at different places or different times.

        edit: I was in a hurry and butchered that sentence: Those without cars will form many of their regular activities around what’s possible to do with public transport.

        • Taleya@aussie.zoneEnglish
          31·
          1 month ago

          I grew up low income, so no car. Still mostly bike or PT, but I habitually get to places at least half an hour early :)

    • MisterFrog@aussie.zoneEnglish
      3·
      1 month ago

      I think it’s more than the city is not well laid out for most people to use public transport.

      I live in Melbourne, and it is the same thing here (except that our public transport is better). I can live car free, but don’t begrudge those who choose not to.

      What I do begrudge though, are the people voting for more roads and car-centric infrastructure. We should be building zero new car roads.

      At most upgrades of intersections to make them work better. We need to be making it convenient enough for most people NOT to get in their car.