Better Transport

We have got to the stage in this country where living without a car is impossible for some (remote communities, mobility impaired, etc), but that doesn't mean we have to rely on the car for everything. Cutting out some car mileage is better than just giving up and driving everywhere. Holidays should be a good place to start.

Getting most of the way across the country doesn't have to be costly by train if you can plan ahead and book in advance (sadly we have to play up to the operators marketing strategies). This still leaves the problem of how to complete the journey at either end when often there is no integration between public transport services.

Going from home you could make the most of your forward planning (essential for any good holiday) by combining your journey with a neighbour's shopping trip. We don't have to demonise all car users if they are making the most of their journeys, do we?

At the other end of the journey there is real scope for tourist destinations (and where isn't these days?) to provide collective transport - minibuses, maxi-taxis, horse and trap... I'm serious here. Local communities need support to bring in visitors that without increasing the impact of cars.

This kind of approach does not send the message that we can achieve miracles and force everyone off the road. Taking a pragmatic view and offering better alternatives will appeal to those that can't imagine or don't otherwise have the choice of a life without the car. I am suggesting that everyone pulls together and in so doing we may continue to change attitudes.

I work as a transport planner and there is rarely a simple answer to achieving "modal shift". Preaching isn't going to win the argument. What does work is enthusiasm and a helping hand.

Hope this doesn't come across as a ranting thesis .

Cycletouring was more accessible than i imagined. Last summer i rode from London to Bristol to Exeter & returned the same way, including much camping. Last October, I cycled from Anglesey to Birmingham, camping again. You simply need panniers and/ or a trailer, tools & spares for usual repairs... + your camping equipment. Good luck.

I live without a car too and I think making that contribution means you have to be kind to yourselves too, so unless you are very rugged and determined types, I think you should see what alternatives there are to lugging lots of stuff with you.
You'd be amazed at what you can carry on a bicycle or in a bike trailer so that would be my first suggestion but get good quality stuff - you can hire trailers if you don't want to buy. Ask in your local, decent bike shop. Join the CTC (Cyclists Touring Club) or at least look at their site www.ctc.org.uk where there's masses of advice about cycle camping.
The other thing you might try is finding somewhere with static tents or yurts or something where you can use the equipment and just take yourselves and backpacks. There are lots of places which do that now with good quality equipment available and some of them quite wild eg. try searching under 'camping for softies' in Google and you'll find lots of different possiblities. 'Cycling for softies' brings up some good sites too.
If you do want to do it all yourselves, I'd buy some good quality backpacks, maybe a hand luggage trailer and I'd suggest taking the train to the west coast of Scotland! (Well actually I'd go via Eurostar to the Pyrennees or the Alps but I think you wanted to be in the UK!). Enjoy yourselves!

The more stuff yoiu take the bigger the tent you need - so it all starts to spiral out of control as you need a bigger tent to keep the accessories and the tools to set them up.

Why not look at the seriously lightweight travelling and camping style described by the Crane Bothers of their cycle ride 'To the centre of the Earth' a vague location somewhere in Mongolia, which ius furthest away from the sea in all directions. Less radical are the lightweight cycle tourers - camera, clothes, credit card and cycle, who additionally carry ''camping gear' and recognise that on a bike you do not carry a weeks supplies with you, but 'live off the land' - you'll find locally available food, and demonstrate the truth of the non motoring toursit spending at least twice as much with local shops and farms - money they actually save in not having to pay for the travelling warehouse called a car - that money is not spent in the local area but with service stations and supermarkets.

My wife (who has never learned to drive) travelled widely around Europe and to world centres in her line of work, and developed the regular traveller's skills in having her entire needs contained in the bag which went in as cabin baggage, all essentials in compact or pack flat form and any items which could be bought on arrival were bought on arrival. Observe anyone with such skills and you marvel at their discipline and efficiency and wonder whay you have always weighted yourself down with bags which need to be guarded or placed with left luggage wherever you go - and of course that like excess baggage charges, costs money.

To help you carry your holiday gear buy yourself a luggage trolley or suitcases on wheels and/or some sturdy rucksacks and then get a taxi or bus to and from the train station to your camp site of choice.

Or, perhaps you could go camping with friends who do have a car to help carry both of your belongings.

If you really need a car for this, then hire one

Personally I go to places where all I need will be provided like Youth Hostels or holiday centres so that I don't have to worry about bedding or being cold.

When I've camped at Glastonbury Festival I've taken the minimum with me and got a lift share off one of the ride share sites like carshare.com or nationalcarshare.co.uk or liftshare.com and bought food and extras like that there.

Anna Semlyen, author of Cutting Your Car Use - www.cuttingyourcaruse.co.uk
New edition out now www.greenbooks.co.uk