I was driving my car this weekend. Nothing special; just took it round to Kwik Fit to get the rear tyres replaced, then took a load of rubbish round to the tip and came home via the supermarket to get some milk and ice lollies. Nothing too noteworthy, except it was the first time I have driven for three months and only the fourth time I have driven a car this year.

I usually make an effort to walk as much as possible, mainly for health reasons. If I want to go outside town I use the motorbike, but sometimes if I go to Brighton I will take the bus or train. The car is very much the last resort because traffic and parking in Brighton is terrible.

I had one major problem with this weekend’s driving around Crawley though – it was so easy!

When walking, whether going into the town centre, to the supermarket, or just around the nearby roads for exercise I am forever being obstructed by cars parked on pavements, or by bushes encroaching on the footpaths. And of course I am frequently forced to duck under tree branches. No such problems on the road. You can bet that if a tree or bush blocked a road it would get cleared quickly. People complain about pot holes, but the roads are silky smooth compared to the footpaths.

And when I get to a car park I can park anywhere I want. No need to hunt around for the one or two, often unsuitable, spaces allocated to motorbikes.

It is all very seductive. I can see why so many people are so reluctant to get anywhere other than by car, because every bit of infrastructure seems to be designed to prioritise the needs of car drivers at the expense of any other mode of travel. Until that changes I am likely to remain in the minority, because if I want to go anywhere within a mile or two I will walk it, despite the obstacles.