Over the past few weeks I have been able to combine a business visit to the US with two George Stephenson lectures - one at Ohio University and one in Houston with IMechE members and colleagues from the oil industry. At Ohio I questioned the students about car ownership and of the 100+ in the audience less than 5% indicated they did own cars. Is it possible, I asked, to reduce the number of cars they owned to 20? Average usage of a family car is around 30 minutes a day - so if we could share vehicles we will both increase the usage, but more importantly reduce the number of vehicles required. The challenge I have set myself is to live without my own car when we move back out to the country later in 2008. Living in London has meant we have now become a one car family (from two) and my wife Margaret owns that one car and controls its usage! This means I use public transport (which is very good in London).In discussion over lunch with some of the Ohio students I was fascinated to hear how they all agreed with my suggestion of reducing the number of cars sitting in the car park for 98% of the time, but individually had very good reasons why they should not give up their own car. I believe unless we are willing to make some compromises in our lifestyles then I suspect that future generations may criticise our generation for not conserving and sustaining the world's resources. Must stop now as I am about to catch a train to a meeting outside London.

Yours aye John

Comments

[Matt Inglis]

Hello John,

Heard from another former "salty dog" (Sandy Paulsen @ Stonelaw Church), that you were No 1 Eng U.K Ltd so I thought I'd Log on to the blog page.

Pleased to see that "The Big Man" is now El President of U.K Engs.

John, can you please provide your E-Mail address.

Awe 'Ra Best,

Thanks & regards,
Matt

[Rich Sibbick]

Having crashed and written off my lovely sports car at the end of 2006 we too decided to try the one car option. Some 15m months on and a fortune in insurance, fuel, servicing and tax saved later, I can heartily recommend it! Of course, you do need the transport links to make it easier although even when they are not there you can take many taxi's for the price of running a car.

Photo of the president in a smart or Gwizz car please...? :)

[Sue Thompson]

Dear John,

As much as you enjoyed your visit back to Dounreay, so would the readers of 'Dounreay News' enjoy hearing from you in return! You kindly agreed to write our 'Off the Record' column. I look forward to seeing it.

Regards,
Sue Thompson
Editor, Dounreay News