You are reading a single comment by @Mr_B and its replies.
Click here to read the full conversation.
London Fixed Gear and Single-Speed is a community of predominantly fixed gear and single-speed cyclists in and around London, UK.
This site is supported almost exclusively by donations. Please consider donating a small amount regularly.
@Mr_B
Cross-posted from elsewhere, because true.
*My daily car is a 2014 model. It:
Turns the lights on automatically
Turns the wipers on automatically
Has daytime running lights
The lights turn as you turn the steering wheel
Full beam automatically dips if it senses an oncoming car
Warns you if anyone in the car is not wearing their seat belt
Senses as you approach and unlocks the car
Senses as you leave and locks the car
Illuminates the path for you at night
It'll heat or cool itself to exactly a set temperature, with driver, passenger and rearseat occupant all able to choose differently
Warns you if you wander or change lanes without indicating
Warns me if it senses something in my blindspot when I change lanes
Has a reversing camera and 360° parking sensors to help me park
Stops the engine in traffic to save fuel
Restarts automatically when you want to move
Automatically connects your telephone so you can talk hands free
Remembers what you were listening to last and plays the music from your iPhone
My problem is... None of this makes me a better driver. Quite the opposite.
I get bugs wiped across a dry screen. I don't have full beam when I want it, the fecker beeps if I've a heavy bag on the seat, or I am getting my wallet out of my pocket, or if Dave is in the car. I constantly cross white lines where there is no reason to indicate and the thing vibrates. If you put the kids in it, then walk round it to get in and drive it has locked itself by the time you get there. Leave them in the car as you pay for fuel and the alarm goes off. It plays the music I don't want, randomly, and in fog you are duped like every other knobber on the road to have no lights on the back of the car. It cuts out just when that gap in the traffic appears, and if you are sat in the front room of the house it will steal your important phone call - mid sentence - if the missus decides to borrow the car. Most of all, it makes you lazy, and not think about driving.
I'm looking forward to going back to the thing that tries to kill me ('73 911) on a regular basis, as I'm a better driver in it. *