My car, Barry, is a 2008 Suzuki SX4 passed on from my grandfather. It spent most of its life flying my grandparents around the Wicklow countryside, but now it is either sitting in my Glasnevin driveway or stuck between taxis and hybrid SUVs in rush hour.
My insurance is not cheap; the gas-guzzling vehicle is in one of the higher motor tax bands; and the cost of diesel has me dumbfounded every time I fill up my tank. Despite the independence Barry gives me, I do wonder why I bother pouring thousands of euros into something that only adds to the emissions and congestion I often report on. Time and time again I have written that transport is the largest source of energy-related CO2 emissions in Ireland, accounting for about 40 per cent.
I tried cycling in Dublin for two years, but after being hit by a car twice, pushed on to kerbs by taxi drivers, getting caught in Luas tracks more times than I can remember, and relentless catcalling, I gave up. I try to use the bus as much as possible to get into town, but the car does win me over some weeks as it cuts the commute time in half.
Realistically, I should have no problem getting rid of Barry if I decide to sell it. The pandemic has caused shortages and delays of up to a year for the delivery of new cars. As a result, demand for second-hand ones has skyrocketed and their profit margins have grown significantly. So why can’t I part ways with mine?
My family lives in between fields and farms in west Wicklow beyond the reach of any bus from Dublin. Dublin Bus goes as far as Blessington. Then I would need a parent, aunt or cousin to collect me and drive me half an hour home. Or there is a Bus Eireann route that runs less frequently to Baltinglass where — again — I would need someone to collect me and drive me ten minutes home. Ireland’s weather and treacherous rural roads mean walking from Baltinglass could leave me with pneumonia if I didn’t end up knocked into a ditch by a speeding car. The near two-hour trek could be shortened by cutting across fields, but the fear of crossing paths with a bull would keep me on the roads.
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Apart from family visits, I use the car for work when I need to get from one interview to another quickly and sometimes I too am called on to collect carless siblings or friends from bus stops and to drop them home.
Deep down, I know I should sell my car for the sake of the planet, but I won’t. And I know a hybrid or electric model is not going to be an affordable option for a long time. So I will keep the Suzuki and feel bad about it while hoping my taxes go towards safe cycle lanes, footpaths on rural roads and a bus route that can take me all the way home.