krobinson103

10 years ago I got sick of driving and took to riding motorcycles. 8 years ago I took the engine out of the equation and rode bikes instead. A week or so back I went to park the car and felt totally out of place and claustrophobic. I really think I've decided that despite having a drivers license for both cars and motorcycles I'll never drive (or ride) either again. It just feels totally unnatural.

chewybrian 

I rarely drive, but I don't have that feeling at all. I also rarely ride when someone else drives.

But, being a passenger in the front seat is quite uncomfortable. It feels like every driver tailgates and brakes very aggressively. I think they fall into this pattern when they drive every day. I leave a lot more room between cars when I'm in the driver's seat.

cycleobsidian

I find that that is one of the disadvantages of being car-lite. I practically never drive. So when I do, I'm insecure about it. I worry about how I will manage parking if I have to squeeze into a spot. I get nervous as a passenger when others drive. I think my fear of driving is a bit irrational, to be honest.

Having said all that, I'm not ready to use my car more often to regain my self confidence. I like bike riding too much.

kookaburra1701

I usually feel like I'm going at warp factor 10 for a few minutes when I get above 45 mph driving, but it goes away quickly. I do feel a bit claustrophobic I suppose - more like I can't see as much as I'm used to because of all the car in the way, and that makes me a little anxious.

I have used my hand signals while in the car before, and once stopped and signaled to turn into a bike path that's the fastest route across town before my passenger asked me wtf I was doing.

Artkansas 

I try to keep in practice. Several weeks ago, I had to give a talk in another city so I rented a car. Since I wouldn't be back in time to make it just a one day rental, I rented it for two days. On the second day, I drove around to parts of this city that I can rarely get to. It's good driving practice and I educated myself more about my surroundings.

gerv 

Last couple of years I've only been driving on visits to Canada. I seem to be able to get behind the wheel and remember most details.

I do check the tires with a thumb press before I start the motor...

wahoonc

LOL

I have given people directions to places, only to recall that there was no way they could get there that way by car due to shortcuts.

Aaron

zeppinger

Sounds totally natural to me. Humans have not evolved to travel at those speeds and disorientation is perfectly predictable. Have you ever found a snail stuck to the side of your car after you went for a drive on the freeway? Imagine what that experience must have been like for him! Even bicycle speeds are pretty unnatural for the human mind, let alone highway speeds.

I don't think we should consider this feeling all that irrational as others have stated. If anything, we probably have a more rational sense of what is dangerous because, driving is the most dangerous thing that most people do on a daily basis. Peoples lack of fear when speeding around blind curves, passing in no passing zones, tailgating, and all the other wacky things we see on the road on a daily basis, are what is irrational.

krobinson103

I also really hate the way the car gets in the way of a clear view of whats around me. The motorcycle had a small blind spot but all I had to do was turn my head to see. The car is full of pillars that get in the way. I had my licence renewed but I doubt that I want to use it again.

xtrajack

My wife says that I drive like I am riding my bike.

plustax

I feel quite natural driving actually. I hate riding as a passenger because most motorists are pretty bad drivers. What I do find amusing is that even if I drive a car I prefer to go on non arterial roads. A metal cage won't do much if a lifted truck hits me at 50 mph.

alhedges

Don't forget to take the lane!

B. Carfree

I get behind the wheel of a commercial truck often enough that I don't ever feel disoriented by being in a motor vehicle. However, I am amazed at the lousy sight lines and mirrors in four-wheel vehicles. It does cause a bit of claustrophobia.

Roody

and don't forget to yell at the ****ing cyclists to get on the sidewalk.

GodsBassist

I'm sure you'd be fine if you had to drive again. I hear it's just like... you know... riding a bike.

KD5NRH

Alternating pedals 100 times a minute in a car is a bad thing.

So is just turning your body to the right to pee.

Gojohnnygo.

WHOOOT! Holy #$$%%$ you sound just like me. I panic just getting into a car for a ride.

Gojohnnygo.

same here lol

I-Like-To-Bike

Are you bragging or complaining about your condition?

Gojohnnygo.

Ha so>> are you bragging or complaining about your condition? Think about it.

I-Like-To-Bike

I will certainly think about that before I publicly post that I "panic" at the thought of normal activity. Do you also panic when getting in an elevator?

Roody

I get anxious when I'm a passenger in a car. My degree of anxiety depends on the driver and the driving conditions. I'm also afraid of heights and i have anxiety about being late for events.

I'm not bragging about this, but neither do I think that anxiety and phobias are something to be ashamed of, or something that others should ridicule me for.

I-Like-To-Bike

I agree, unless someone believes that having an irrational fear is something to boast about or some sort of mark of honor.

Roody

I have worked with thousands of people with anxiety disorders, and never known one to boast about it. Maybe I've gotten us a little off track here? More later--my son is pressuring me to drive downtown on snowy roads on an emergency errand.

I-Like-To-Bike

Perhaps, but I find it a bit odd that this specific fear/phobia keeps popping up on this list. Does anybody think that their own reason for being car-free is due to a phobia about being in a car?

These phobia posts are almost as as strange as the bragging, or is it fear related, posts about not watching TV on this list.