4 ms·

The problem is not 'bikes v cars'. It's how the city was planned. European cities have small, walkable centers, the mid-density around that, then instead of s

The problem is not 'bikes v cars'. It's how the city was planned. European cities have small, walkable centers, the mid-density around that, then instead of suburbs, they have a lot of higher density hamlets around them. Also - they don't have horrific winters in which walking/biking is a pain. So - even for Frankfurt, which has a bunch of US style high-rises in the middle ... you can comfortably walk many places, and bike almost all of them, any time of year. Combine that with widespread and completely integrated public transit (without goons, slubs and idiots ruining them) - it works extremely well. Most North American cities are designed for cars: long blocks, no walkable 'high streets', very wide streets, less density, less public transport ... and often a harsh winter which makes it really uncomfortable for 5-ish months a year. It will take more than bike lanes to change the nature of culture.

personlurking 10y ago
Comparing with Lisbon, it has a small walkable center, no high-rises (except for a few semi high rises in surrounding areas), pretty great weather year-round (over 300 days of sun, I believe), lots of medium-sized plazas/parks and lots of lookout points over the city (both usually with one or more kiosk cafes). All in all, lots of compact green spaces, in addition to a few larger ones (parks and gardens). On the down side, the slippery cobblestone sidewalks are only big enough for one person, there's a lot of dog "doodoo" on them, and parking is hell (so they tell me). In fact most people in residential neighborhoods just park on the sidewalks (partially if not fully), as well as double-park. People pay parking meters and often even a homeless parking attendent as well. Luckily, the public transport (metro, bus, train, ferry) is quite good and reliable. I believe the govt was considering adding a downtown tax for cars entering the city center but I forget if that's been enacted. There was also something similar regarding older cars due to being less environmentally friendly.
thesauri 10y ago
> Also - they don't have horrific winters in which walking/biking is a pain. As someone living in the Nordics, that's news to me.
- jomamaxx 10y ago
  "> Also - they don't have horrific winters in which walking/biking is a pain. As someone living in the Nordics, that's news to me" A) Biking when there is snow on the ground is not something most people want to do. B) Nordics have pussy winters ... you're on the water and it's fairly mild. I'm from Canada where we have real winters buddy. Weeks of -30C, blizzards, often snow up to your waist. Not only is it 'very uncomfortable' to bike in the winter here in Montreal, on most days it's impossible.
  - sctb 10y ago
    Please comment civilly and substantively here or not at all. https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html

personlurking 10y ago

Comparing with Lisbon, it has a small walkable center, no high-rises (except for a few semi high rises in surrounding areas), pretty great weather year-round (over 300 days of sun, I believe), lots of medium-sized plazas/parks and lots of lookout points over the city (both usually with one or more kiosk cafes). All in all, lots of compact green spaces, in addition to a few larger ones (parks and gardens). On the down side, the slippery cobblestone sidewalks are only big enough for one person, there's a lot of dog "doodoo" on them, and parking is hell (so they tell me). In fact most people in residential neighborhoods just park on the sidewalks (partially if not fully), as well as double-park. People pay parking meters and often even a homeless parking attendent as well. Luckily, the public transport (metro, bus, train, ferry) is quite good and reliable. I believe the govt was considering adding a downtown tax for cars entering the city center but I forget if that's been enacted. There was also something similar regarding older cars due to being less environmentally friendly.

thesauri 10y ago

> Also - they don't have horrific winters in which walking/biking is a pain. As someone living in the Nordics, that's news to me.

jomamaxx 10y ago
"> Also - they don't have horrific winters in which walking/biking is a pain. As someone living in the Nordics, that's news to me" A) Biking when there is snow on the ground is not something most people want to do. B) Nordics have pussy winters ... you're on the water and it's fairly mild. I'm from Canada where we have real winters buddy. Weeks of -30C, blizzards, often snow up to your waist. Not only is it 'very uncomfortable' to bike in the winter here in Montreal, on most days it's impossible.
- sctb 10y ago
  Please comment civilly and substantively here or not at all. https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html