[Liuser]

Been thinking of cancelling my reservation as well. My need for a car has dramatically decreased in the last couple of years with the ubiquity of ride sharing services. Now with last mile services spreading more and more (scooters/bike shares) I'm thinking this trend will only increase.

I take the bus and bike to work. Small groceries are also done by bicycle. Whenever I go out to eat with my wife we use a ride sharing service because we enjoy a drink or two with our meals.

[Zhenya]

If you plan on having children and live anywhere in the US (including SF, excluding Manhattan), you'll most likely need a car for Drs visits etc.

[nervousvarun]

Why would Uber not work for this?

Not necessarily disputing you, just wanted some clarification on why you think that. Anecdotally I know several carless couples with children ostensibly making it work for "unplanned" auto trips via Uber. They live close enough to walk for "planned" trips like grocery store/work etc.

Obviously you'd need to live close to those things but that was a major factor in their choice of home (location).

[ben1040]

When the kids are small, where do you find an Uber with one or more suitable car seats?

It seems there's spotty availability in a few cities, but the standard from Uber is you get a single car seat appropriate for a child >12 months old.

Or do you supply your own, and then drag the seat(s) around with you at your destination?

[jumpingdeeps]

Its quite easy to supply your own, as long as you find a lightweight stroller to drop the car seat into. As I commented above, (sorry to be redundant): Most infant car seats can be installed without the base in a car and typically connect with various lightweight (snap and go) strollers making portability via ride-share easy. There are one or two convertible car seat/lightweight stroller combos (for toddlers) that are very popular with urban parents who need to use ride shares. They are also useful when you travel via airplane. For example the Cosco Scenera car seat and the Mountain Buggy Nano stroller. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LotN7k5T2Q)

[ag56]

https://shopdoona.com

[kalleboo]

That's an interesting point. At least in the parts of Europe I'm familiar with, Taxis have an exemption for car seat laws. Ubers don't.

[lawtguy]

Main issue would be car seats. Uber offers the option to request a car seat in a few metros, but besides those you'll have to bring your own. I imagine most Uber drivers wouldn't be all that happy waiting for your to install and uninstall car seat(s). Additionally, you'll have to be going to somewhere you can store your car seat when you get there.

Once you get out of car seats and into booster seats, I could see it as pretty workable. Booster seats aren't all that big and are simple to install. But in CA kids need to be at least 8 years old and over 40 pounds before you can use a booster seat.

[jumpingdeeps]

Most infant car seats can be installed without the base in a car and typically connect with various lightweight (snap and go) strollers making portability via ride-share easy. There are one or two convertible car seat/lightweight stroller combos (for toddlers) that are very popular with urban parents who need to use ride shares. They are also useful when you travel via airplane. For example the Cosco Scenera car seat and the Mountain Buggy Nano stroller. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LotN7k5T2Q)