I’m currently watching the not just bikes video “why google maps fails in Amsterdam” and…I just feel like a masochist (and lowkey a c*ck). Living in the US, we have completely let car manufacturers, energy companies, and all vested third party interests build our cities and roadways while lawmakers are bought out and legal action stalls. Watching this pragmatic design of bike only streets, trams next to bikes, removing shared lanes in favor of an expanded garden of all things. It really hurts to watch but I can’t look away. I feel like a cave man living here and I just needed to rant about it.
I have had the privilege of moving to NYC next month and will finally get rid of my car. I am nervous about the adjustments in terms of convenience but deep down I couldn’t be happier. I’ll never forget the feeling of enlightenment when NJB explained to me something I felt my whole life growing up in a place wholly dependent on cars (the drive to school was 7 min, a walk home was 45 min). I also got into an accident recently because of how fucked up the design of a roadway was. I just can’t wait to finally live car free.
I moved to the Netherlands ~6 months ago. It is really that good. But Dutch people don’t value what they have and many are becoming carbrained assholes. Endless government funding for highways and roads, but less for public transit. People driving 400m instead of walking. It’s disappointing to watch the Dutch be brainwashed by car advertising.
Car brain is a natural result of colonialism, imperialism, white supremacy, etc.
Privileged YTs are basically the same regardless of the state that controls them.
That is so disheartening to hear.