I was recently thinking about buying an elecrtic scooter/bike to get from point A to point B, with everything so close in a city, and traffic being bad. What are your thoughts on cycle-lanes, and cycling/scooting in general?
I was recently thinking about buying an elecrtic scooter/bike to get from point A to point B, with everything so close in a city, and traffic being bad. What are your thoughts on cycle-lanes, and cycling/scooting in general?
The design of the city can reduce the ‘need’ to drive a car to zero. Small shops in every neighbourhood, schools within walking distance, public transit that gets you everywhere. There are many cities in the world where less than 10% of the population use a car.
That’s the 10% I’m talking about!
It sounds easy, until you walk a mile in their shoes. For many many people, you just need to use a car. For example, I know less than ten people on my road.
And these are people who live in an urban area, and (mostly) own and use bikes frequently already.
These are just examples from a very small sample size. Think how many other cases there are. You have to accommodate people who live differently from you.
That means you live in a city not designed for everyone and nor is every trip accessible by walking. Have a look at the old city of Fes, and tell me that you need a car to do those trips? Take a look at Istanbul. People have lived in large cities without a car for centuries. Supermarkets are not a prerequisite for living in a city. Similarly, children, the elderly, people with disabilities can be accommodated easily without cars. For example, the social environment can make a big difference, such as support from family and neighbours.
I admit that these children are all quite young, but starting from age 6, children should be able to cycle by themselves. (Note: this opinion is from a Dutch perspective)
I’m not against cars by the way, you could own a car and several bikes. Use the bike when possible and the car for everything else.
Yes, it could work, if the town is flat, and you never need to go more than a few miles. Or if there’s a very good and fast bus network and you can carry bikes on the bus.
For example, somewhere i used to live, it had a free bus for the decrepit and old, that went around the whole town and passed every house. So if you wait long enough, the bus will take to your destination, door to door.
But even then, there will still be a few people who need their own cars.