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Have you consider that this is the case because it was designed like that, and that it could change if you just stopped constantly doubling down on cars? Like,

Have you consider that this is the case because it was designed like that, and that it could change if you just stopped constantly doubling down on cars? Like, its perfectly reasonable in many places to live without a car. In fact, its the opposite of what you suggest, its possible LESS INCOME then having to own a car. Compare the total cost of living and transportation when living a car centric lifestyle, compare to a bike/public transport one. I personally don't even use a bike, walking and public transport are perfectly fine in most even small (50k) European cities. Now of course, sadly in many places in the US, living and work is often so far separated and so badly connected that the car is the only viable option. But that is exactly what needs to change.

robertlagrant 4y ago
I live in Oxford, which was definitely mostly designed pre-car. People with kids pretty much still need cars, unless they want to buy a £1m+ house located in the perfect spot.
- panick21_ 4y ago
  Sure if you have young kids, spezially more then one. But that the minority of people.
  - iggldiggl 4y ago
    People who have young kids right now might be a minority, but people who have had kids a some point are a far larger fraction of the population. If the expectation is that all parents of young kids need a car, then there's a high likelihood that they just continue using a car afterwards, too.
    - panick21_ 4y ago
      Just because you need a car at some point doesn't mean you always want a car forever. And as soon as kids are old enough to ride bicycles or public transport themselves you live situation changes and you can very likely get rid of your car. And if you actually look into places like Netherlands you will see that lots of people don't have cars even with small kids. The 'Soccor mom with SUV' cliche in the US, is replaced in the Netherlands by the 'Bicycle mom' who brings here kids in on bicycles.
      - iggldiggl 4y ago
        > Just because you need a car at some point doesn't mean you always want a car forever. Certainly, but I think it still sets up a certain tendency which gives car usage a headstart. > And if you actually look into places like Netherlands you will see that lots of people don't have cars even with small kids. The 'Soccor mom with SUV' cliche in the US, is replaced in the Netherlands by the 'Bicycle mom' who brings here kids in on bicycles. Absolutely, I'm not arguing that. I was mainly responding to the point that the behaviours and needs of parents with small kids supposedly don't matter because at any moment in time there aren't that many of them around.

robertlagrant 4y ago

I live in Oxford, which was definitely mostly designed pre-car. People with kids pretty much still need cars, unless they want to buy a £1m+ house located in the perfect spot.

panick21_ 4y ago
Sure if you have young kids, spezially more then one. But that the minority of people.
- iggldiggl 4y ago
  People who have young kids right now might be a minority, but people who have had kids a some point are a far larger fraction of the population. If the expectation is that all parents of young kids need a car, then there's a high likelihood that they just continue using a car afterwards, too.
  - panick21_ 4y ago
    Just because you need a car at some point doesn't mean you always want a car forever. And as soon as kids are old enough to ride bicycles or public transport themselves you live situation changes and you can very likely get rid of your car. And if you actually look into places like Netherlands you will see that lots of people don't have cars even with small kids. The 'Soccor mom with SUV' cliche in the US, is replaced in the Netherlands by the 'Bicycle mom' who brings here kids in on bicycles.
    - iggldiggl 4y ago
      > Just because you need a car at some point doesn't mean you always want a car forever. Certainly, but I think it still sets up a certain tendency which gives car usage a headstart. > And if you actually look into places like Netherlands you will see that lots of people don't have cars even with small kids. The 'Soccor mom with SUV' cliche in the US, is replaced in the Netherlands by the 'Bicycle mom' who brings here kids in on bicycles. Absolutely, I'm not arguing that. I was mainly responding to the point that the behaviours and needs of parents with small kids supposedly don't matter because at any moment in time there aren't that many of them around.