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Check out Stevenage in the UK. It ain't no paradise. It has what appears to be identical segregated cycleways and has done for 60+ years now ( https://www.roa

Check out Stevenage in the UK. It ain't no paradise. It has what appears to be identical segregated cycleways and has done for 60+ years now ( https://www.roadswerenotbuiltforcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/stevenagedream3.jpg https://www.roadswerenotbuiltforcars.com/wp-content/uploads/... ), yet cycle usage is less than 3% despite the town being literally designed around and built with cycleways from day 1. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stevenage https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stevenage

cameronh90 4y ago
I was thinking it looked a bit like Milton Keynes. I guess they're similar enough.
- mattlondon 4y ago
  Yeah I think they were both "planned towns" more akin to US cities where road layout and zoning appears to have been plotted out early. Both Milton Keynes and Stevenage are notorious in the UK as a result - people (rightly) view them as soulless hellscapes
SyzygistSix 4y ago
I live in a progressive/liberal town that has good roads and weather for cycling. Very few people seem interested, even young people without kids. I just don't understand why it is so unpopular and undesirable.
- thinking4real 4y ago
  Let’s see… I can use a form of transit that takes longer. Likely for the majority of people, so much longer that it’s impractical for majority use cases (20 min car ride becomes 40+ min bike ride). I have to physically myself, so I’ll be prepared to be sweaty and live in that all day. If there’s inclement weather I have to wait it out for some unknown length of time or endure the elements (and again be disgusting for whatever I’m off to next). I’m in much greater danger than a car. People will try to steal my bike so I have to worry about that. If I have any amount of baggage with me, I guess good luck. I can’t listen to music vs a premium music experience… I mean I could go on. Don’t get me wrong, Ive done a bike a primary transit for a year or so. But anyone who’s confused why the average American doesn’t want to is probably a little out of touch to say the least.
  - SyzygistSix 4y ago
    That is not the case in many cities though. Bicycles aren't a good solution for many people. But for many others, they can be. There are obvious examples of both. My city is a great example of a great place to bicycle. I know because I've done it for almost 20 years and I'm not superman.

cameronh90 4y ago

I was thinking it looked a bit like Milton Keynes. I guess they're similar enough.

mattlondon 4y ago
Yeah I think they were both "planned towns" more akin to US cities where road layout and zoning appears to have been plotted out early. Both Milton Keynes and Stevenage are notorious in the UK as a result - people (rightly) view them as soulless hellscapes

SyzygistSix 4y ago

I live in a progressive/liberal town that has good roads and weather for cycling. Very few people seem interested, even young people without kids. I just don't understand why it is so unpopular and undesirable.

thinking4real 4y ago
Let’s see… I can use a form of transit that takes longer. Likely for the majority of people, so much longer that it’s impractical for majority use cases (20 min car ride becomes 40+ min bike ride). I have to physically myself, so I’ll be prepared to be sweaty and live in that all day. If there’s inclement weather I have to wait it out for some unknown length of time or endure the elements (and again be disgusting for whatever I’m off to next). I’m in much greater danger than a car. People will try to steal my bike so I have to worry about that. If I have any amount of baggage with me, I guess good luck. I can’t listen to music vs a premium music experience… I mean I could go on. Don’t get me wrong, Ive done a bike a primary transit for a year or so. But anyone who’s confused why the average American doesn’t want to is probably a little out of touch to say the least.
- SyzygistSix 4y ago
  That is not the case in many cities though. Bicycles aren't a good solution for many people. But for many others, they can be. There are obvious examples of both. My city is a great example of a great place to bicycle. I know because I've done it for almost 20 years and I'm not superman.