Getting Around
Growing up in the Northwest of America, I spent most of my childhood in the midst of aggressively sub-par public transit systems, and so I usually associate “kids” with carseats and minivans (I LOVE minivans), but in my experience, especially in cities, using public transit and e-cargo bikes with kids has been wayyyyyyy better than I had expected, and is often much better than using a car, both experientially and altruistically. Of course there are a lot of places that we haven’t been, situations/solutions that I haven’t imagined or been exposed to, and every city, town, parent and kid is different, but here are the tradeoffs as I see them for me and my kids. These are the kinds of things that I consider before choosing how we’re all going to get somewhere. I hope that you find it useful!
Public transit
Pros:
No needing to strap kids into things (they can play or talk with you)
You can do it without needing to transfer kids from carriers or strollers*
Nice way for your kids to learn how to behave in society
My kids usually prefer it to driving
Convenience of being able to pick something up at a shop in/by a station
Safer than driving or biking
Cheaper than buying/maintaining a car
No big initial investment
You can passively ride along while you read, work, or do something else
Has bathrooms (at stations and also on IC/IR trains)*
Can be pretty
For some routes, it can be the fastest type of conveyance possible
Good for the environment
Cons:
No strapping kids into things (they can be a handful)
If the connections are numerous or inconvenient, it can be a very slow way of getting somewhere
No way to carry very large items (bigger than those that can be carried or wheeled)
If one doesn’t know the system well, finding the correct train or bus can be stressful
Someone using public transit is more likely to spread or contract illnesses than one who is driving, biking, or walking.
One must adhere to the schedule and do without the specific type of spontaneity that is only possible for cyclists/pedestrians/drivers.
It can be dirty
Can be more expensive than driving for groups
Is more expensive than biking/walking
*Not true with all types of trains and buses, but it is true in many systems. Accessibility for wheelchairs and strollers is really important and makes the public transit system more practical for a lot of people. Vote!
E-Cargo Bikes:
Pros:
Easy, quick parking right at your destination
My kids usually prefer it to driving and transit
No getting stuck in traffic (when the bike infrastructure is good)
Fun to ride, and nice to get fresh air
Can carry very large items (I've hauled an outdoor dining table, a large gas grill another time, and carried 2 kids and Christmas tree another time)
Exercise - as little or as much as you’d like. No assistance with my massive bike is much more difficult to ride up a hill than a normal bike, but full assistance is much quicker/easier than a normal bike.
Easy to be spontaneous
Able to quickly access some places that cars and public transit can’t (via biking trails)
In cities/towns, it is often the faster than cars when you take into account the time that it takes to get kids into car seats, drive somewhere in traffic, find a parking spot, park, unload, walk from parking spot to destination
COVID safe
Good for the environment
Cons:
Not so practical for longer journeys
Expensive to buy an e-cargo bike
Less safe than public transit (although it is quite safe if you prioritize good bike safety and mostly use dedicated bike lanes/trails. Once again: Vote!)
Can’t ride in snow and ice without special tires
Rain is annoying (although the kids stay dry with the rain cover)
Some trips take longer than public transit or a car
DRIVING
Pros:
Big enough to carry quite a lot of stuff, which makes them necessary for picking up very large items like couches or massive IKEA loads.
Cars are often the fastest possible conveyance for long-ish distances, and destinations with poor train connections
You can keep your stuff in them for as long as you want
Easy to be spontaneous
Good for hiking and going places that are off-the-beaten-path
Kids fall asleep in cars very easily
COVID-safe
Camping is lovely
Cons:
My kids don’t like being in them
Carsickness
Very expensive to buy
Insurance/gas/maintenance costs
Dealing with carseats
Bad for the environment
Traffic stress
The specific feeling of powerlessness that occurs when a baby is wailing in their carseat and you can’t help them because you’re stuck in traffic
Risk of accident
Parking hassles
No alcohol allowed
It can be difficult to transfer sleeping kids into/out of cars
The level of attention that is required to safely drive is much higher than that which is required for simply riding on public transit - no reading, no watching shows, or browsing for the driver
Are there any tradeoffs that I missed here that are particularly important for you or your kids? How do you like to get around? I’d love to hear :)