I agree that compromises between the interests of drivers and pedestrians are necessary, and in a big city with more pedestrians than drivers, it is reasonable for these compromises to favor pedestrians. I don’t agree with the frequently expressed view that reducing the number of drivers and increasing the number of pedestrians is in itself a good thing, and that’s what this article sounds like to me. The emphasis on the health benefits for people who stop driving feels like being told “eat your vegetables, they’re good for you” which, as an adult, I’m offended by, but this is an emotionally charged issue for me so maybe I’m overreacting.
I’m interested in the claim that LTNs do not, on average, increase motorist travel times. That could change my mind about this issue.
I’m not entirely clear why you feel (re)designing cities around walking/cycling is a patronising policy, but designing cities around cars isn’t. If the answer is, ‘because cars aren’t good for you’, it seems like your stance would have to be ‘cities should be designed around what’s bad for you, otherwise it’s patronising’, and I don’t think that can be what you believe!
I agree that compromises between the interests of drivers and pedestrians are necessary, and in a big city with more pedestrians than drivers, it is reasonable for these compromises to favor pedestrians. I don’t agree with the frequently expressed view that reducing the number of drivers and increasing the number of pedestrians is in itself a good thing, and that’s what this article sounds like to me. The emphasis on the health benefits for people who stop driving feels like being told “eat your vegetables, they’re good for you” which, as an adult, I’m offended by, but this is an emotionally charged issue for me so maybe I’m overreacting.
I’m interested in the claim that LTNs do not, on average, increase motorist travel times. That could change my mind about this issue.
I’m not entirely clear why you feel (re)designing cities around walking/cycling is a patronising policy, but designing cities around cars isn’t. If the answer is, ‘because cars aren’t good for you’, it seems like your stance would have to be ‘cities should be designed around what’s bad for you, otherwise it’s patronising’, and I don’t think that can be what you believe!