Fun fact: The topography of Amsterdam is more or less flat. Eliminating cars from places with topography like Seattle or San Francisco effectively bans disabled people from access. One size does not, in fact, fit all.
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The disabled are literally legally permitted to drive minicars in the bike lane. And of course e-trikes are everywhere. The cars ban so many people from safe mobility I'm sorry you're unable to see it.
"But I can't use a mini car! I NEED my lifted Dodge Ram!!! My unique disability requires this and also requires a speed limit of 40mph minimum even in the densest urban areas.
I don't think toxic masculinity counts as a disability... but since they keep saying we need to reopen the asylums, perhaps people with toxic masculinity should be the first patients?
Okay, but cars ruin cities so there’s that. And also, limiting access to cars in cities and making drivers pay the costs of driving is the only way to fix the current mispricing of all modes of transportation.
I'm a disabled person. I don't have a driver's license. Disabled people like me need public transit. I need ST 2040 so I can be able to move around this city.
What the hell are you talking about? Less than 1% of the driver eligible general population cannot drive. That grows to 30% in the disability community. You are denying reality and making a gross assumption
One thing no one mentions is that because it's flat, the Netherlands has huge winds - also known as The Dutch Hills (there's even a national race to conquer it). So you know what the Dutch do? They use Ebikes. Case closed.
This might have been an interesting argument in the age before ebikes, but not anymore. I biked around one of Seattle's hilliest neighborhoods this summer thanks to a lower-end e bike and it was great. Even walking there was tough but the ebike made it a breeze
adding e-trikes, mobility scooters, and motorized wheelchairs coupled with good public transit mean most people, with disability or not, have great access to car-restricted areas( and the rest of the city).
So instead of valiantly defending the rights of people to drive everywhere, maybe put that effort into making sure accessibility needs are met for everyone: accessible transit, streets, sidewalks and curb cuts supporting all mobility devices, GOOD paratransit services.
That gets you safer streets, better AQI (a serious health issue, especially for vulnerable folks), less congestion, less stress, more casual social interactions, and many more co-benefits.
Its funny because only like 2% of the general driver eligible population can’t drive but that grows to like 30% in the disability community and I hear all these advocates say driving helps disabled people. Why are they doing this?
Unable to drive. I don’t understand why you are asking? Blind people can’t drive. People with advanced dementia can’t drive. Some people with cerebral palsy can’t drive. People with Parkinson’s disease and similar can’t drive. All can use transit. My uncle with Parkinson’s road a trike for a while.
Oh whoops, I forgot that we can only advocate for a transportation option if literally every single person in a city with zero exceptions is able to use it
Cars are enclosed and have power steering, wide seats and roll cages. They also have engines that are more powerful, and the ability to go on the freeway.
Some people can’t drive, but are still able to ride a bike, take public transit, etc. when everyone else is driving, it makes it more dangerous for them to get around & traverse streets that speed throughput of cars rather than people.
You don’t. You need to be able to get yourself to your destination. The car part is just a dependency from a built environment that hasn’t provided you with alternatives.
Most disabled people can cycle. And those who cannot and who can be taken by car, can be taken by an adapted cycle. Car nuts get very concerned about disabled people when they think it’s an argument against restricting car access. The rest of the time, not so much.
Yes. I use mobility scooters in some places/situations, where there is even terrain and no inclement weather. But they won't let me get my kid to day care or get me to a doctor appointment.
You seem to be jumping on someone saying we should restrict access to cars to mean that no cars will be allowed anywhere. The current norm of stationary traffic for hours each day isn’t good for anyone.
Disabled access should be a priority consideration.
Build more protected bike Lanes by eliminating parking spots... but at the same time keep or expand existing parking spots that are reserved for accessibility ♿.
That would be a win-win, with less cars hitting people, less traffic and more parking spots for those who truly need it.
Furthermore, the fact that not everyone is forced to drive everywhere improves the situation for people who do have to drive. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=d8RRE2rDw4k
God but it *never* makes sense to people who like cars. It's always too hilly, or too cold, or too hot, or too low density, or too something. Cars can fit in a holistic transportation network, but as the primary method they are bad and ruin it for everything else, including themselves!
They make ebikes that the disabled can use. There are many disabilities that prevent people from driving, and car-centric infrastructure where driving is the only viable option hurts them. And cars fitted so that disabled people can drive them are ludicrously expensive.
Why is it so hard to realize that low car traffic (sub)urban areas, with good safe facilities for non car traffic are more navigable for everyone, including the few for who the car is a necessity.
Why is it so hard for you to understand that the majority of the US provides no viable option other than driving? Tilting the scales to other forms of transit doesn't have to negatively impact the disabled.
Eliminating cars entirely has literally never been the proposal. It’s minimizing car dependency by providing more sustainable options for people of all abilities.
There are hilly cities around the globe where car free streets, accessible public transit, & safe bike routes increase access for all.
Most people w/ disabilities are hindered from interacting w/ the world by a status quo where driving is used for a vast majority of urban trips. When we shift enough of those trips to less lethal modes it makes it safer not only to get to the Link stop, but also for those w/ no option but to drive.
Let me ask you this: how does someone get to and from transit stops? And how do they do that if they can't walk or ride a bike, either at all or because of terrain or weather problems?
Since you want to play that angle, it's very important to note that more people are disabled in ways that preclude them from driving than in ways that make it so they can ONLY drive.
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Check this out:
https://youtu.be/d8RRE2rDw4k?si=Vrm_qRRzNg3NfLPg
All I'm asking is just for the understanding that some people will always need cars to have an independent life. Please accept that reality.
Higher poverty rates too which really limits options.
So yes, it is happening.
I just need to be able to get my car to my destination and park close to its entrance. That's all.
You seem to be jumping on someone saying we should restrict access to cars to mean that no cars will be allowed anywhere. The current norm of stationary traffic for hours each day isn’t good for anyone.
Disabled access should be a priority consideration.
That would be a win-win, with less cars hitting people, less traffic and more parking spots for those who truly need it.
“Has Amsterdam banned cars?”
“No…”
“So can we have mixed transportation infrastructure like Amsterdam has?”
“Banning cars is ableist!”
There are hilly cities around the globe where car free streets, accessible public transit, & safe bike routes increase access for all.