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Thing is, we have more rules forcing people to be low density than we do forcing people to be high density (in the US). So we have, indeed, removed choice - fro

Thing is, we have more rules forcing people to be low density than we do forcing people to be high density (in the US). So we have, indeed, removed choice - from those wishing to be in a compact area. To give just one example of these many, many, many rules, I just spoke with an architect about changes to my house and one of the rules is I need at least 2.4 metres of basically dead space where I meet the road because it's assumed I'll be sitting there in a car looking left and right before exiting. Saying "nah I ride a bike so I'm going to put a hedge up there" isn't an option. "house with a yard, a few minutes drive from a walkable downtown," Problem is that every time you drive to that downtown you make it a bit less walkable by virtue of bringing your car. In effect, everyone there is paying a little bit of their quality of life for your parking. Sometimes, this makes sense (having a place for ambulances is good), but sometimes you end up with a tragedy of the commons.

Noos 7y ago
You may have a bike now, but there will be times when you or others visiting may need to use cars there. If you have a delivery made, yes they will back out of your driveway. If people visit you in a car or taxi (do you think they will all walk from the train station, including your 65 year old grandmother?) you need it. You get sick and need a taxi to the doctors office? Need it. Tumble off the bike and break or sprain something, and you rent a car while you recover? Need it. Do you plan on selling the house, and the buyer is a tradesman who need a truck to do landscaping or carry his tools? You're not going to cycle always and forever. A lot of people here one day are going to get old enough where cycling is a chore, even with a ebike. At that point the hedge becomes an expensive nuisance.
- davidw 7y ago
  Just because someone might need a car at some point, doesn't mean that everything should be designed around them. Relevant: https://twitter.com/mlroach/status/1216078001709780992 https://twitter.com/mlroach/status/1216078001709780992 "News article: can bicycles replace many car trips for some people? That person: nobody can ever replace any car trips with a bicycle trip because I drive cross country every week with 14 hockey players and their equipment."

Noos 7y ago

You may have a bike now, but there will be times when you or others visiting may need to use cars there. If you have a delivery made, yes they will back out of your driveway. If people visit you in a car or taxi (do you think they will all walk from the train station, including your 65 year old grandmother?) you need it. You get sick and need a taxi to the doctors office? Need it. Tumble off the bike and break or sprain something, and you rent a car while you recover? Need it. Do you plan on selling the house, and the buyer is a tradesman who need a truck to do landscaping or carry his tools? You're not going to cycle always and forever. A lot of people here one day are going to get old enough where cycling is a chore, even with a ebike. At that point the hedge becomes an expensive nuisance.

davidw 7y ago
Just because someone might need a car at some point, doesn't mean that everything should be designed around them. Relevant: https://twitter.com/mlroach/status/1216078001709780992 https://twitter.com/mlroach/status/1216078001709780992 "News article: can bicycles replace many car trips for some people? That person: nobody can ever replace any car trips with a bicycle trip because I drive cross country every week with 14 hockey players and their equipment."