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Upfront: I live in Amsterdam (NL) and haven't owned a car in at least a decade: in fact, I'm slightly opposed to private car ownership, since that just causes a

Upfront: I live in Amsterdam (NL) and haven't owned a car in at least a decade: in fact, I'm slightly opposed to private car ownership, since that just causes a lot of metal junk taking up otherwise usable space. I walk and/or cycle everywhere where possible, am an avid public transport customer, and use public (shared) and/or privately rented EVs for any other trips. However, the idea that cyclists are in any way "better" than automotive drivers is entirely ridiculous. Sure, they pollute less, but that's not what we're talking about here. Once a certain class of drivers gets the upper hand in everyday traffic, bad things happen. So, if you're a cyclist in, say, San Francisco (US), you will frequently get threatened by automotive traffic. This is bad. But, if you're a pedestrian (or even a not-so-experienced automotive driver) in Amsterdam (NL), you'll frequently get intimidated by over-entitled cyclists. This is bad as well. Change is needed, but that mostly comes in the form of "sharing is good", not "this class is better than the other"...

thinkindie 3y ago
I think you missed the point of the article - cyclist are described as "better" because they are more aware of their surroundings and more involved in their local community. Btw on your point, I visited Amsterdam for the first time this March and I didn't feel threatened by over entitled cyclist at all, but the fact that I live in Berlin might give me a different perspective.
- PreInternet01 3y ago
  > cyclist are described as "better" because they are more aware of their surroundings and more involved in their local community If that's indeed the point of the article (which seems to be your conclusion, not mine...), it's plain misguided. Cyclists, once they're the majority of traffic, are just as singularly and a-socially focused on getting from A to B as anyone. The only way to break through that kind of behavior is to emphasis sharing.
  - Arnt 3y ago
    I'm sure you're right, but motorists turn right without looking and occasionally kill someone. Antisocial behaviour without the fatalities is an improvement.

thinkindie 3y ago

I think you missed the point of the article - cyclist are described as "better" because they are more aware of their surroundings and more involved in their local community. Btw on your point, I visited Amsterdam for the first time this March and I didn't feel threatened by over entitled cyclist at all, but the fact that I live in Berlin might give me a different perspective.

PreInternet01 3y ago
> cyclist are described as "better" because they are more aware of their surroundings and more involved in their local community If that's indeed the point of the article (which seems to be your conclusion, not mine...), it's plain misguided. Cyclists, once they're the majority of traffic, are just as singularly and a-socially focused on getting from A to B as anyone. The only way to break through that kind of behavior is to emphasis sharing.
- Arnt 3y ago
  I'm sure you're right, but motorists turn right without looking and occasionally kill someone. Antisocial behaviour without the fatalities is an improvement.