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Consumers are very sensitive to upfront cost. There's a vicious cycle of automobile orientated development creating demand for cars. Cars are considered essent

Consumers are very sensitive to upfront cost. There's a vicious cycle of automobile orientated development creating demand for cars. Cars are considered essential transportation tools. Bikes are considered nice to have recreational, fitness, or kids' toys. So people aren't willing to spend thousands on a bike unless it can replace a car.

Muromec 2y ago
Most people I see using those 5k cargo bikes also have a car.
avianlyric 2y ago
You’re making some very big assumptions about “consumers” here. Unlike the U.S. most European cities have decent public transport, and a car isn’t seen as essential. I live near central London, can easily afford a car, have a private location to park a car etc etc. But I don’t own a car, or consider a car essential, driving in London is simply the slowest, most expensive and stressful form of transport. I do however consider my bike an essential transport tool, alongside my Oyster card. If we need a car, then we just rent one (and have it dropped off near our home). So we rent a car when going on trips out of London, or needing to move items that we can’t using our bikes. > So people aren't willing to spend thousands on a bike unless it can replace a car. That’s a very large assumption, you also make it sound like a bike can’t replace a car. Which simply isn’t true, for many European cities the opposite is true, a car can’t replace a bike.
tkz1312 2y ago
situation is exactly reversed where I live. Car is a recreational luxury (get out of the city for a day, road trips). A bike is my essential day to day transportation. The luxury status of cars is cemented by the wide availability of car rental apps that mean I have a car or van always available for the few times a year I need it for a trip to ikea or whatever. Privately owned vehicles should be banned from city centres.

Muromec 2y ago

Most people I see using those 5k cargo bikes also have a car.

avianlyric 2y ago

You’re making some very big assumptions about “consumers” here. Unlike the U.S. most European cities have decent public transport, and a car isn’t seen as essential. I live near central London, can easily afford a car, have a private location to park a car etc etc. But I don’t own a car, or consider a car essential, driving in London is simply the slowest, most expensive and stressful form of transport. I do however consider my bike an essential transport tool, alongside my Oyster card. If we need a car, then we just rent one (and have it dropped off near our home). So we rent a car when going on trips out of London, or needing to move items that we can’t using our bikes. > So people aren't willing to spend thousands on a bike unless it can replace a car. That’s a very large assumption, you also make it sound like a bike can’t replace a car. Which simply isn’t true, for many European cities the opposite is true, a car can’t replace a bike.

tkz1312 2y ago

situation is exactly reversed where I live. Car is a recreational luxury (get out of the city for a day, road trips). A bike is my essential day to day transportation. The luxury status of cars is cemented by the wide availability of car rental apps that mean I have a car or van always available for the few times a year I need it for a trip to ikea or whatever. Privately owned vehicles should be banned from city centres.