I run a little old Clio 2 diesel. Cheap to run. If I was to go car free I would set up an account with a car rental company so if I had to use a car, all the paperwork was ready. The world needs the human race to go car free, the alternatives need to be in place now, but they are not.
Since you are in NI, have you seen this blog?
The Backwoodsman: Cycling