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The problem is even with that infrastructure, outside of a small handful of cities “everywhere you could” still isn’t very much, and you’d still have to have a

The problem is even with that infrastructure, outside of a small handful of cities “everywhere you could” still isn’t very much, and you’d still have to have a car. You’re going to bike to the restaurant in the rain or snow? You’re going to bike to work in the snow or when it’s really hot and you’ll show up there gross? It seems pretty obvious to most people who don’t read HN why if you built a great biking infrastructure you’d just have two problems instead of one. Poor people are much less likely to live close to where they work, so switching to bikes won’t help them. The people who want this bike infrastructure are far from poor. Cars are not stupid and worthless. They’re expensive and the vast majority of the population owns and uses them every day, surely they have huge benefits. They are obvious to most people. They are not great for the environment but even if you magically got rid of them entirely we’d still be way over emissions targets.

lelandbatey 4y ago
Cars are expensive AND the vast majority of the population use them because they have to. > You’re going to bike to the restaurant in the rain or snow? Yes, yes I am? Why would I not; I own clothes for being outside in bad weather. Those clothes and bike were cheaper than a car, so why would I not? > You’re going to bike to work in the snow or when it’s really hot and you’ll show up there gross? Also, yes? You know people used to have to walk to places of work before cars, right? And while cars allow us to not experience any of those mild annoyances in exchange for huge sums of money, most economically minded people would rather be a bit sweaty than pay an extra pile of money for a car.
JambalayaJim 4y ago
The main problem with cars isn't the environmental damage from tires / fossil fuels; it's the space they take up in our cities. The amount of parking alone that is required at virtually every destination (and generally far in excess of actual parking demand) is the key culprit. But massive amounts of space dedicated to wide roads and highways also contribute. This space dedicated to cars increases distances between everything and actively makes other transportation methods less convenient. >Poor people are much less likely to live close to where they work, so switching to bikes won’t help them. The people who want this bike infrastructure are far from poor. Poor people who are spending lots of money and time on public transit could substantially benefit from a low cost, point to point transportation system. Especially if their commute distances could be lowered in a less car dependent society.
AlphaCerium 4y ago
If you are able to go outside in the rain or snow, or when it's really hot, why not bike as well?

lelandbatey 4y ago

Cars are expensive AND the vast majority of the population use them because they have to. > You’re going to bike to the restaurant in the rain or snow? Yes, yes I am? Why would I not; I own clothes for being outside in bad weather. Those clothes and bike were cheaper than a car, so why would I not? > You’re going to bike to work in the snow or when it’s really hot and you’ll show up there gross? Also, yes? You know people used to have to walk to places of work before cars, right? And while cars allow us to not experience any of those mild annoyances in exchange for huge sums of money, most economically minded people would rather be a bit sweaty than pay an extra pile of money for a car.

JambalayaJim 4y ago

The main problem with cars isn't the environmental damage from tires / fossil fuels; it's the space they take up in our cities. The amount of parking alone that is required at virtually every destination (and generally far in excess of actual parking demand) is the key culprit. But massive amounts of space dedicated to wide roads and highways also contribute. This space dedicated to cars increases distances between everything and actively makes other transportation methods less convenient. >Poor people are much less likely to live close to where they work, so switching to bikes won’t help them. The people who want this bike infrastructure are far from poor. Poor people who are spending lots of money and time on public transit could substantially benefit from a low cost, point to point transportation system. Especially if their commute distances could be lowered in a less car dependent society.

AlphaCerium 4y ago

If you are able to go outside in the rain or snow, or when it's really hot, why not bike as well?