Why Car-Free Streets May Be Here to Stay

While increasing automobile traffic has been a growing problem in major U.S. cities, the threat of Covid-19 has revealed what life could look like without car-clogged streets. This dramatic change triggered by pandemic shutdowns may lead to significant and permanent modifications to how we live, work and get around.

#CityLab #Cities #Pandemic
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[terks]

FYI, making it harder to drive is the entire point. Less people driving means a better city.

[msamuelw]

If I'm in a car, I'm not looking to window shop. My goal in a car is to go to a planned location fast and without disturbance. Walking however, I find myself looking through windows much more often and enter local shops.

[zrebbesh]

Of course bike ridership went up! As a bicyclist you're now WAY less likely to get killed!

[andyrbush]

The worst part of working was the commute.

[angaeltartarrose]

In my town, they closed a block of a street. Now, everyone hangs out there, eat at outdoor cafes, & listen to music. The throw craft fairs, & events. One block.

[nova_kane]

Coming from the UK I was shocked when I first went to the US at how unfriendly it is for pedestrian walkers, everything is so far apart and there aren't sidewalks in so many areas. In Europe, if you live in a city or it's suburbs, you rarely drive, you take a train/bus or walk, city centres specifically are really only for taxis and public transport in terms of vehicles. In the US it's like they live in their car, like those people in Wall-E. They don't even have the infrastructure to ditch their cars if they wanted to.

[kawaiidere]

I love how American TV broadcasters are like “can we really live without cars?” “Wow, this street has become pedestrianized, is that acceptable?”

[Peter_Scheen]

The idea in the Netherlands is that traffic should be intrinsically safe and it is focused on bicycles. I think if the US stops putting cars first but adopt these principles they would not lose this much time on the road, gain health and space.

[dreamsmotorsports]

Building cities around people, rather than cars... Makes sense. I wonder why we never thought of this? Interesting.

[kabloosh]

I love driving. I don't love driving in cities. Much rather be on foot or on a bike to traverse a city. This is coming from someone who lives in a small town. Just feels so much easier to get around a major metro area by foot. I've been to Europe and driving has its value but being able to get around on foot would be great.

[scifrygaming]

The air in my city has been so nice since this lockdown. It really shows that none of us with office jobs need to go to an office. Salt Lake's valley looks so beautiful without all the smog! And, I don't feel like I'm dying on high pollution days.

[nathaphonstikkelorum]

I think they just need a Dutch road achitect since they are the best at making road, pedestrian/bike friendly.

[ianjohnson]

A bike city is the best for the future in my opinion, considering everything - health effects, the space they take up, the environmental effects, energy efficiency, and whatnot.

[WCCXtra]

Transportation costs take a significant chunk out of the average person's income. Remove/reduce these and it'll definitely boost the economy, not to mention the physical and mental health benefits of walking and being around other members of your community.

[RachelsSweetie]

At the beginning of the pandemic my world was so much nicer being able to cross streets on foot or bike without having to worry about car drivers.

[truthiscensored]

Blame the owners of Standard Oil for making cities centered around cars

[Telencephelon]

5:05 She looks furious. She sounds furious. Her hair is furious. Her eyes shoot lasers.

[Dark__Thoughts]

More roads would mean more cars, it's a vicious cycle that we need to break out of.

[cyrilio]

Sad when everyone thinks they're a traffic expert and block great initiatives.

[danschoenharl]

When I lived in Europe for a few years, many years ago, I began to learn about the benefits of a commitment to great public transportation infrastructure. And the wisdom of dedicating land and resources to allow for areas where people can walk and interact freely.
The ADA, here in America, has done wonders to increase the "livability" factor of our newly constructed communities, and repaired infrastructure, by making sidewalks mandatory, but we still have much catching up to do. And a lot to learn about how to design our communities (and our lives), in order to maximize our quality of life.