Current Events > Why is the internet so obsessed with "walkable" cities

(+) Yeah! (+)

By spending that on public transportation.

The concept dont matter. Its our reality. The concept wil never happen

An unlimited metrocard is $132 for the month. You gonna get gas, insurance, parking, and a car payment for less?

no but I think it will cost more than that to build a train station in every town

The concept dont matter. Its our reality. The concept wil never happen

Probably because theyve travelled to somewhere outside the US where public transport isnt just a band-aid for poverty.

The idea of living somewhere where everything is within walking distance is superior to the idea of living somewhere where you need to drive everywhere

Are highways free? Is pollution?

As a disability support worker who drives sick people to doctor appointments every day, there's nothing more infuriating than keen cyclists and ebike enthusiasts telling me there's no need for cars any more (and I've had 2 people tell me this)

I imagine anyone with a family they need to drive around feels similar

Godamn hippies man, there's a lot of oversights to their logic

I haven't driven on a toll road in 10+ years so...yes?

Unless you're heavily involved in tax fraud, I would reconsider that.

I haven't driven on a toll road in 10+ years so...yes?

Bike/scooter with basket, like all of Asia.

Who builds and maintains them?

like, I'd love to ride a bike to work, but work is 12 miles away so that's just not going to happen.

Okay I made a joke about this before, since I was on the road. But here full feelings.

The concept of walkable cities is appealing, especially for those residing in mid-sized urban areas where each district can function as a self-contained community. However, proponents of walkable cities often overlook the reality of how rural much of America still is. In my job, which requires me to travel extensively across my state, I encounter vast stretches of land with nothing but farmhouses, gas stations, and the occasional Waffle House. For miles, there is often little else. People frequently discuss food deserts, but in some areas, we also have what could be termed "fast food deserts," where even basic fast food options are scarce, and gas stations sometimes double as places to buy fried chicken.

Furthermore, the push for walkable cities doesn't take into account the essential services and amenities that are spread out in these rural areas. For many residents, driving long distances is not a choice but a necessity for accessing groceries, healthcare, and employment. This reality highlights the disparity in infrastructure and accessibility between urban and rural regions. Therefore, while the idea of walkable cities is admirable and beneficial in specific contexts, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution for the diverse geographic and demographic landscape of the United States. It is crucial to consider and address the unique challenges faced by rural communities when advocating for urban-centric planning models.

That plus a bit of creativity and can do attitude. Its amazing what some people get on a bike round here.

Therefore, while the idea of walkable cities is admirable and beneficial in specific contexts, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution for the diverse geographic and demographic landscape of the United States

Right...because you don't live in a walkable city lol.

I do, or at least pretty close to one for US standards. I don't need to drive to work. I take a train to work in about 15 minutes. I could also bike to work, I think that'd take 20 mins or so?

I walk 3 minutes to my nearest grocery store. I do still have a car for Costco runs or the occasional other grocery stores. Walkable cities doesn't mean getting rid of cars, just minimizing their need. I only have to get gas like once a month.

the entire way our economy and goverment work would need to be overhauled

Don't tempt us with a good time.

Same can be said for NYC, but on a larger scale. Your never more than a 5 minute walk from a subway stop, but it would probably take you more than 20 minutes to get from one end to the other.

So is the only thing stopping NYC from being considered a walkable city the size and lack of affordable housing?

An unlimited metrocard is $132 for the month. You gonna get gas, insurance, parking, and a car payment for less?

All my cars are paid off.

Until you need to safely transport more than just yourself

Using Asia as a metric for ideal transport is fucking laughable

All my cars are paid off. I dont pay for parking, I live in a house and I park in a private parking lot for work. Gas aint that bad. I have a challenger I only drive for certain things. A Lexus for family stuff, and I have beater Toyota weekends off to save gas.

insurance youre right. But that couple hundred I exchange in having the ability to go anywhere I want instantly without worry. Space, long trips, carrying furniture etc

So if we ignore the $50,000 you already spent it's much cheaper?

oh and insurance is one of the biggest things. if you're a pedestrian walking around or a cyclist riding around and and you're involved in an accident, you have no insurance. you're 100% reliant on the other person's insurance to deal with your pain and suffering and medical bills

40k for the challenger, 50 for the Lexus. I buy luxury cars because I like them. Or else I would be driving a 2k toyota

So if we ignore the $90,000 you already spent it's much cheaper?

No chance in hell. I'll take driving as a cost of being farther away from people.

good reason why not to walk around

By spending that on public transportation. And youll spend longer waiting on transportation and walking

As a disability support worker who drives sick people to doctor appointments every day, there's nothing more infuriating than keen cyclists and ebike enthusiasts telling me there's no need for cars any more (and I've had 2 people tell me this)

I imagine anyone with a family they need to drive around feels similar

Having less recreational driving on the road would make your job easier, dude.

Oh wait tc is darkprince.

LMAO

Thats an exception not the rule

Alright.

So add up your insurance, maintenance costs, and gas again.

Then add $90,000 to that figure.

Is it still cheaper than public transport?

I haven't driven on a toll road in 10+ years so...yes?

is building a train station in every US town, and running a possibly empty train to them all, pollution free? no.

I live in the city now and half the buses I see are 'out of service', just driving to their next route.
don't get me wrong, the concept of a walkable city is nice. but unless that city can actually sustain itself without outside business and workers it's just not viable in the US without radical changes at the government level.

Also to jump on the family comment, we push our two kids around in a double stroller everywhere and if anything its easier having a stroller and a backpack at all times to carry stuff around in