Having spent a fair few hours of late driving around South London I've also spent a fair few hours sitting in traffic, sometimes near to cars much more expensive than mine.
But while expensive cars are historically status symbols, I can't help but think they're also mug symbols... I mean why spend £40K or more on a car just sit in traffic?
Compared to motorbikes, or even pedal bikes or scooters, which zip through said traffic and will typically do a journey faster than a car.
Honestly, unless you're transporting something heavy or too bulky for a bike, and you're physically capable and the weather is OK (at least 50% of days in the UK) then a bike is a much smarter move around here.
Cars: Symbols of Status but also of Stasis!
(Nice line, huh!?)
In 2024, the average UK driver lost 62 hours sitting in traffic. In London, it was worse — 101 hours a year wasted, costing the city nearly £3.9 billion in lost productivity and wasted fuel. That works out to about £942 per driver.
And it's not just the cost to the individual... Congestion costs the UK economy an estimated £7.7 billion every year, yowser!
So while I'm not guilt free sitting in traffic, at least I'm not spending a huge amount of money on an expensive car to indicate my idiocy and sociopathology.
But Bikes offer freedom at increased risk...
You may well be more free on a bike, but there is an increased risk!
UK Department for Transport figures show that per billion passenger miles:
- For cars there are about 1.9 fatalities
- For Motorcycles: about 117 fatalities
That’s 61 times higher for motorcyclists.
Even for non-fatal injuries, motorcyclists and cyclists are far more vulnerable than car drivers. The coolness of dodging traffic comes with higher exposure to danger.
Final thoughts....
Hmmm - I cannot justify spending a fortune on an expensive car, that's just SILLY unless I come into stupid money, I'd rather spend £5K on a decent electric bike I think and use that on the 50% of days the weather is OK for cycling...
Even with the increased risk!