Electric Cars Won't Save the Planet (but here's what will)

A big part of the plan was that in addition to reducing car usage, the revenues collected by congestion pricing would be used to make huge investments in improving public transit, thereby reducing car dependencey even further. Win-win!

2 months ago

Cars should not need registration, licensing, or insurance.

Waaaaait a minute, what?

2 months ago

Sure, I can ride a bike, but I could never ride a bike 300 miles for a weekend trip to any arbitrary destination

This is a strawman argument. 300 mile trips are better suited for trains.

2 months ago

Better for people with physical handicaps

The majority of physical disabilities prevent people from driving, resulting in a loss of mobility and freedom when they do not have viable alternatives. Many people who do not bike for transport and do not talk to people who bike for transport see a handicap parking spot and assume that everybody with a handicap drives.

People cycling and using public transit free up road space for the minority of people with handicaps who drive. I know two utilitarian cyclists with disabilities who cannot drive but use a bicycle as their primary means of transportation.

Can be more easily/comfortably used in extreme weather

Wear a jacket. Many of us go for walks in extreme weather. There are very cold and hot countries all over the world that have high rates of bicycle usage for transport. The problem usually lies in cities designing and maintaining their roads in a hostile way to all forms of transportation other than bicycles in the winter. Look at Montreal and Oulu for counter-examples. Even the Netherlands gets constant rain.

This is a great video on the topic.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uhx-26GfCBU