>. I totally put myself at a social disadvantage to the point where I think I would have been held in much higher regard if I had had one before. From another

>. I totally put myself at a social disadvantage to the point where I think I would have been held in much higher regard if I had had one before. From another Dutchie: get better friends >some trauma from biking through a cloud of exhaust in Rotterdam Now you are providing that trauma to others. At least drive something electric if you live in the city. It will be mandatory within cities soon anyway. >Turns out cars are the bikes I always wanted. Even in Rotterdam, if everyone switches to a car, it wouldn't fit. The only reason you find it pleasant to drive is because others aren't. >There are better hopes for the environment too (ie electric scooters + public transport and electric cars/motorcycles, synthetic diesel fuel). Yes to the first, but cars are too big by default. People should not own a car when living in a city. They should rent one on the days they need it. It's not just the space the car takes when you drive it. It's the space it takes when you park it. Go visit places where everyone takes the car. Everything is far apart because it's separated by oceans of parking. The average US city ends up dedicating more space to parking than to everything else combined. And yes, public transit is a great alternative, but only works with a minimum amount of population density, which cities indeed do have. But even in villages people should go at least electric, and the center should be car free, so it becomes a destination for people. No one wants to eat out next to a parking lot.