Rise of the Pedaltarian

[enders-shadow.livejournal.com]

The bicycle is superior to the motor-car. Healthier for people and the environment.

We should invest in bicycle culture.

Human power should be a major source of renewable energy that we look into.

Comments

[mijan.livejournal.com]

Live wherever you want to, big guy. I said ENCOURAGE people to live closer to where they work, not force them. It's not always possible, but when it is, it's a very sensible thing to do. Additionally, living close to where you work encourages stronger local economies and higher quality neighborhoods.

[mijan.livejournal.com]

Sure, I'll elaborate. I want people to individually encourage their friends, whenever possible, to consider moving closer to work. Individuals create trends when enough of them do it.

I also wouldn't have a problem with LOCAL government groups trying to encourage sustained communities within cities instead of allowing the "doughnut hole" phenomenon to blight the urban core, unchecked. And by "encourage," I mean offer information to the public about cost/savings of living closer to work, actual crime statistics (cities are SAFER than most people think), and actually create functional public transportation systems.

No, I don't think the government should build "projects" in the inner city, offer tax breaks to those who move into certain neighborhoods, and so on. But I think information is powerful, and by letting people see that the city is a safe place to live with MANY benefits (shortened commute times, more time with your family, resources, activities, parks, grocery stores, and other benefits of living) within much closer reach, more people would consider it. I did a cost analysis of living within walking distance of work. Between gas saved, wear-and-tear on my vehicle, VERY comparable rent/mortgage costs, TIME saved commuting which I can spend with my family, a gym within walking distance, a lovely restaurant and social district within walking distance, and more benefits than that... I found it to be a VERY pleasant lifestyle. I think a lot of people don't even realize the family living opportunities offered by living closer to work.

I do know people who moved into development neighborhoods - bedroom communities where nothing ever happens. They have to travel a long distance to get to ANYTHING, including their children's activities.

Just things to consider.

[allhatnocattle.livejournal.com]

Urban living is environmentally better then suburban spawl.

Less infrastructure. The pipes are bigger but there are less of them.

Safer neighbourhoods are one that keep people apart with fewer interactions with strangers. It is encouraged by having the mall a driving distance away from residences and proving parking spaces everywhere.

Urban hoods where one walks to the store encourages interaction by simply not providing ample parking spaces and not placing services so far away. They encourage interaction by providing more opportunities for frequent interaction such as multi-use buildings... warehousing in basement, retail on ground floor, office space on 2nd floor, and the upper floor residential dwellings.

The cost of living is comparable for both urban and suburban lifestyles. Both have low and high income residences. Suburban is often a more affluent lifestyle.