Almost every Austrian makes a New Year’s resolution to change something in their life. Roland Patzolt from Burgenland is having a hard time.
The German Jahrndorfer has decided to completely do without the car for 365 days. He “tried it out” last year and cycled all the routes from May to September. The question “why” is easy to answer. Patzolt’s car showed its age. There was no money for the car he would have liked.
Old car sold
“And that’s why I took out a loan or bought a kind of Kraxn that I really didn’t want to be an option for me,” says the 50-year-old. Moreover, that was just the beginning of price increases, which he also did not want to support. That is why the old car was deregistered and sold without further ado. In 2022 Patzolt covered about 5500 kilometers by bike, and in 2023 there should be even more. Because: he doesn’t even want to drive a car this year.
More complicated, but doable
Saturday is only day 7, on which he travels alone by bicycle. He goes to Zurndorf to shop, to Gattendorf to work, his bank is in Gols. Is everything a bit more complicated? Yes. But according to Patzolt achievable. “It’s all a matter of time management,” he explains. “I have to get up earlier, but I see things I probably wouldn’t have noticed while driving.”
He takes the time to drive home. If he forgets something, it’s time to get back on the saddle and pedal. However, all this has a positive side effect. Since last year, 15 kilos have already been lost. “I used to not cycle after work. Now I have to. But I also really enjoy it.”
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
