IN FEBRUARY, before the coronavirus epidemic became a pandemic, I took the plunge and . I figured it would be no great sacrifice: I live in London within walking distance of three tube stations and countless bus stops. I own a bike. There are taxis and Ubers; supermarkets deliver. I joined a car-share scheme and earmarked the not inconsiderable sum of money I was spending on keeping my car on the road to .

Then the lockdown happened and being car-free suddenly felt like a sacrifice. I …