6 ms·
The most underrated technology is the bicycle. It the least discriminatory mode of transport: it caters to all ages, almost-all abilities (1). It give you free
by k99x55 3y ago
The most underrated technology is the bicycle.
It the least discriminatory mode of transport: it caters to all ages, almost-all abilities (1). It give you free exercise, its good for the environment, for the community, for the local economy (small commercial shops benefit from cycle infra, ask notjustbikes and search it)
The reason we dont use the bicycle more often is because cars. Cars monopolized our streets taking most of the space making conditions too hostile for many to cycle.
We then built cities (actually bulldozed cities) for the car and now distances are just too big (specially in the US).
Build cities for people not machines.
(1) I am including trikes and wheelchairs, and anything on wheels powered by humans.
- pjmlp 3y agoAnd weather, some of us aren't into sweety arrival at the office, or completely soaked in water/snow. Yeah I know about clothes, snow spikes and such, no thanks.
- ace_of_spades 3y agoThere are also bikes with wind shields and roofs. Also battery powered acceleration support. Probably also heating if you are so inclined. Just saying bikes can be pretty comfortable if that’s what you need.
- pjmlp 3y agoAt that point I will just get a car.
- BizarroLand 2y agoCar is the path of least resistance, so it will always win out until something better comes along. Even if I lived in a 15 minute city, I would still want a car for when I want to go somewhere outside of the city.
- drekk 3y ago... people might sweat or get dirty if they had to bike their office commute, so the only logical option is to accelerate a climate controlled 1-2 ton metal room for each worker or we could reimagine commutes? they only exist because we redesigned our environments around cars.
- pjmlp 3y agoSure, when villages, towns and city outskirts get their businesses and proper jobs back, instead of being only available in the city centre.
- k99x55 3y agoAnd with ebikes, you can easily do 20km (with hills) and not sweat too much. And ... you can always take a quick shower at the workplace no? Cycling is not a tour-de-france style of cycling, most ppl can easily cycle 20kmh without much effort... And why focus only on commute? Commutes benefit more from public transport. cycling is optimal for short distances, errand-type of trips: nearby shop, school, pharmacy etc
- pjmlp 3y agoLucky are those with showers at the workplace.