4 ms·

I've you've ever spent significant time in Europe, or more specifically, the Netherlands, you will see people of advanced age have no problem getting around on

I've you've ever spent significant time in Europe, or more specifically, the Netherlands, you will see people of advanced age have no problem getting around on bikes and public transport. In fact, I can't help but smile every time I see someone who is clearly in their 80s/90s biking down the Amsterdam streets in fantastic health. I feel that if people are used to moving around their lives, they can continue to do so even in old age, like taking stairs every day on a 4th story walk-up with bags of groceries and goods. Anecdotally, I feel the rise of the automobile coincided with the fall of general health and mobility of senior citizens.

Brakenshire 8y ago
There’s a false impression there, though, because the people you see around on the streets are by definition those that are capable of getting around. Even fit young people sometimes break bones or injure ligaments in a way which makes getting around difficult. If you damage your ACL and need to get into work, how can it be done? You need a system which has at least a rational level of support for people who are elderly, infirm, or otherwise physically disabled.
- jdavis703 8y ago
  This argument comes up every time. Walking or biking improvements can make life easier for people with disabilities too; especially those who don't own a car or whose disability precludes them from driving. Some examples I've seen in the last few weeks: an amputee using a bicycle as a mobility device to compensate for a missing leg and someone in a motorized wheel chair using a bike lane.
- tajen 8y ago
  Taxi/Uber. And money prevents them from doing it for too long, so they come back to bicycle quick.
- Symbiote 8y ago
  > "But what about disabled people!" We already exempt them from various driving rules, such as parking restrictions. We already have special transport services just for them. No one is suggesting removing these.
  - Brakenshire 8y ago
    I genuinely am just making that simple point. But it does follow that under such a scheme you couldn’t totally ban cars.

Brakenshire 8y ago

There’s a false impression there, though, because the people you see around on the streets are by definition those that are capable of getting around. Even fit young people sometimes break bones or injure ligaments in a way which makes getting around difficult. If you damage your ACL and need to get into work, how can it be done? You need a system which has at least a rational level of support for people who are elderly, infirm, or otherwise physically disabled.

jdavis703 8y ago
This argument comes up every time. Walking or biking improvements can make life easier for people with disabilities too; especially those who don't own a car or whose disability precludes them from driving. Some examples I've seen in the last few weeks: an amputee using a bicycle as a mobility device to compensate for a missing leg and someone in a motorized wheel chair using a bike lane.
tajen 8y ago
Taxi/Uber. And money prevents them from doing it for too long, so they come back to bicycle quick.
Symbiote 8y ago
> "But what about disabled people!" We already exempt them from various driving rules, such as parking restrictions. We already have special transport services just for them. No one is suggesting removing these.
- Brakenshire 8y ago
  I genuinely am just making that simple point. But it does follow that under such a scheme you couldn’t totally ban cars.