01/06/2026
People don’t realize these things about cars:
1. Cars sit parked around 95% of the time, but cities dedicate enormous amounts of space just to storing them. Parking lots, garages, and wide streets take up land that could otherwise become housing, parks, businesses, or just public space.
2. Most trips people take are under 5 miles, a distance that can often be walked, biked, or taken by transit if safe infrastructure exists. But many places are designed in a way that makes driving feel like the only realistic option. The issue is often design, not distance.
3. More parking spreads destinations farther apart because buildings must leave room for large parking lots. As places become more spread out, walking and biking become less practical, which creates even more dependence on cars.
4. Wider roads naturally encourage people to drive faster, even if the speed limit stays the same. Higher speeds reduce reaction time and make crashes much more severe for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike. Street design actually influences behavior more than signs do.
5. Car infrastructure affects everyone, even people who don’t drive. It influences noise levels, air quality, safety, housing costs, public space, and how connected neighborhoods feel.
6. Car dependency can isolate people by turning everyday movement into a private experience. Instead of naturally seeing neighbors, local businesses, or public life, many people move from one parking lot to another inside a vehicle.
7. Car-centric design reduces independence for kids because many streets no longer feel safe for them to walk or bike on their own. In many places, children rely on adults to drive them everywhere instead of exploring independently.
Anything we might have missed?
PRIORITY ON THE ROADS ARE PEDESTRIANS, BICYCLES AND MOTORCYCLES!
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