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Politely disagree. I ride a bicycle as a means of transportation around Seattle and the exhaust from vehicles is so unpleasant that it makes me consider either

Politely disagree. I ride a bicycle as a means of transportation around Seattle and the exhaust from vehicles is so unpleasant that it makes me consider either not going out, or also driving a vehicle instead to get around. Further, it's just unpleasant to be trying to enjoy a walk around the city; or being anywhere near a road and then having the jarring experience of being surrounded by a plume of fumes. They stink & they're terribly unhealthy to inhale. And even when you're not noticing them acutely, they're probably wading into your lungs at some degree as long as you're within X distance from a road. I think cities would be much more pleasant without them.

throwawaysea 5y ago
I also bike and walk around the city alongside driving, and have almost never smelled or seen a “plume of fumes”. Vehicles today emit very little human-detectable pollution. These aren’t dirty two stroke engines like on a leaf blower, but heavily regulated and incredibly advanced engines. The only times I can think of when I’ve seen a problem is when the rare vehicle (like an older semi) is emitting dark clouds of smoke, which is atypical. I’ve also eaten at many outdoor dining setups that are in the parking lane of a road with motor vehicles and neither I nor those with me thought it to be unpleasant. It feels to me like the imagery you’re drawing (“plume of fumes”) is hyperbole. What am I missing here? Do you have video of what you’re describing or some other way to help me understand?
- nikkwong 5y ago
  I don't know what to tell you if you say that you bike around the crowded city streets of Seattle and you have never smelled vehicle exhaust. I in particular do not have a very keen sense of smell and hardly a minute goes by without having to hold my breath to wait for a plum of fumes to disseminate. Yes, I would agree that the plumes are not visible, but that is not what I'm claiming. Just because they are not visible does not mean they are not affecting our health.

throwawaysea 5y ago

I also bike and walk around the city alongside driving, and have almost never smelled or seen a “plume of fumes”. Vehicles today emit very little human-detectable pollution. These aren’t dirty two stroke engines like on a leaf blower, but heavily regulated and incredibly advanced engines. The only times I can think of when I’ve seen a problem is when the rare vehicle (like an older semi) is emitting dark clouds of smoke, which is atypical. I’ve also eaten at many outdoor dining setups that are in the parking lane of a road with motor vehicles and neither I nor those with me thought it to be unpleasant. It feels to me like the imagery you’re drawing (“plume of fumes”) is hyperbole. What am I missing here? Do you have video of what you’re describing or some other way to help me understand?

nikkwong 5y ago
I don't know what to tell you if you say that you bike around the crowded city streets of Seattle and you have never smelled vehicle exhaust. I in particular do not have a very keen sense of smell and hardly a minute goes by without having to hold my breath to wait for a plum of fumes to disseminate. Yes, I would agree that the plumes are not visible, but that is not what I'm claiming. Just because they are not visible does not mean they are not affecting our health.