I hate that we in the #Philippines 🇵🇭 have inherited a car-centric mentality due to nearly 50 years as a colony of the United States. Having experienced the excellent public transportation of cities like Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore, Berlin, London, Milan, Amsterdam, and Madrid, I can only feel sadness because the transportation system in Manila is way behind our peer metropolises in Southeast Asia.
Is there a good catch-all term for bikes, wheelchairs, strollers, wheeled luggage? "Pedestrian wheels"? I feel like we talk about those things separately but their design problems and solutions have a lot of overlap.
It's not Rocket Science!
We know how to fix #CarDependency in USA cities. It's mostly a #Planning problem.
If we converted Shopping Malls into High Density, Mixed Use areas, not only would they become 10x more valuable and way more productive they would raise more taxes for local Governments. #Urbanism#TheWarOnCars#Cycling#Transit https://culdesac.com/
It still amazes me that we’ve basically let ourselves be manipulated into buying, and even defending, that THIS is what “freedom” looks like. #cardependency
There are many versions of this image out there. The good ones illustrate why “better cars” will never be more than part of the answer, and actually help “lock in” the #CarDependency that’s the real problem. They also show why status-quo interests want to focus on the vehicles.
Westfield Newmarket customers are demanding accountability from the mall’s owner after shoppers were left trapped in their cars for hours and one woman was forced to wet herself as the queue to exit the Auckland shopping centre’s carpark ground to a halt.
“The predominant history tells us that the status quo with #CarDependency is because that’s what ‘Americans’ — as if that’s a thing — have always wanted,” he said. “And what makes my jaw drop when I look back at the historical record is that that was never true … There was never a moment when lots of Americans weren’t fighting #CarDomination.”
This next Sunday I'll have to attend a family reunion.
It's just 30 minutes away from my home by bike, without rushing it.
At least 3 relatives have expressed their concern about me taking the bike for that. 75% of the way is a nice rural path with 0 cars; the weather forecast is fantastic; I won't even sweat.
How is it that driving is viewed as a symbol of freedom and independence, and walking as dependence, when it’s literally the opposite?
When you drive, you depend on the infrastructure supporting it (roads, parking lots, traffic lights, snow clearing, gas stations, car purchase & maintenance & insurance & gas,…). When you walk, it’s just you and your feet, taking you in any direction you want.
As a #carFree household, fuel prices affect us only indirectly, in the way their increase lift other prices in the economy. We are happy to almost never pay for petrol at the pump. 🚲
On one hand, I do feel some sympathy for people struggling to pay the rising cost of petrol. It is tough nowadays.
On the other, maybe this will finally motivate some people to reduce their #carDependency? Maybe those of us living #carLite or car free can finally stop being the tiniest minority?
Kia ora toot friends. (Hello in Māori language)
Tonight I am bringing some #transport, #bikes, #cycling, #urbanism and #antiCar#memes.
I hope you enjoy them and are radicalised like I am. Once you start seeing how we've been trapped by #carDependency you cannot unsee it again.
Let's fight for space for people, cities that are walkable, accesible, clean, green and safe.
Of course, please contribute your own memes to the thread and also radicalise your family, workmates and friends!