"CB" (jrcb)
02/24/2016 at 22:11 • Filed to: Cars
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"CB" (jrcb)
02/24/2016 at 22:11 • Filed to: Cars | 8
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But I don’t think car ownership should be done away with entirely. A lot of North Americans do need vehicles due to how rural a lot of the country is. However, there definitely needs to be a lot of change to infrastructure in order to handle this.
For example, I love taking the train from Toronto to Ottawa. However, it does take a pretty damn long time. If our rail structure was upgraded and we could double speeds, that means a trip would go from four hours down to two. That would be pretty enticing in reducing the number of tourists on the road, since it’s a four hour drive or so.
I also think that redesigning the downtown core of Ottawa would be pretty swell. It’s already fairly small, so shutting down a street or two to make it pedestrian only (hell, Sparks Street is already pedestrian only) could work. Granted, they’d have to upgrade the public transit in the region (which could go better if they reduced the number of cars on the roads, since many roads are only two lanes), but I think it’s feasible.
I understand why Oppos get upset about this whole idea, but I think there can be a good balance between “ban cars” and “let us drive”. It’s just a matter of discussion and thinking about it critically. But this is just my train of thought.
Slant6
> CB
02/24/2016 at 22:20 |
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Solution:
We buy and own as many cars as we all can. This way we’re only using one at a time leaving the other 26 off the road and out of traffic.
not for canada - australian in disguise
> CB
02/24/2016 at 22:24 |
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train of thought
Puns!
But seriously, most cities (and whole provinces and states) need to harcore step up their public transport. If cities had good public transport, people would actually take it. Look at cities like New York or London. They have good public transport, and therefore most people actually use it. In a big, sprawled out city like a good portion of North American cities, the municipal governments just haven’t given two shits about public transport. That is what I agree with AW on, but we don’t need cars banned entirely. There are still way too many people in rural and suburban areas (especially in a country like Canada, where everybody is so spred out) to justify banning cars.
My citroen won't start
> CB
02/24/2016 at 22:24 |
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I agree, at some point using cars becomes more of a personal indulgence than actual practicality at the expense of both the environment and other people’s mobility.
Your boy, BJR
> CB
02/24/2016 at 22:31 |
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Didn’t read, just saw el Camino
We're replacing all cars with el Caminos.
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CB
> Your boy, BJR
02/24/2016 at 22:31 |
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Gods I wish. Saw this last summer.
John Norris (AngryDrifter)
> CB
02/24/2016 at 22:40 |
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‘... but I think there can be a good balance between “ban cars” and “let us drive”. ... But this is just my train of thought. ‘
Okay, I have an alternate train of thought. Build a lot more roads.
Then close all the roads you want in downtown areas, and take all the train rides you want, and let the rest of us drive as if we had the freedom to choose for ourselves.
You have your train of thought, I have my alternate road map.
Oh, and that is a nice El Camino. Cowl induction hood and a vinyl roof, you can’t get much more early 70's than that.
wafflesnfalafel
> Slant6
02/24/2016 at 22:41 |
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my wife didn’t go for that one...
But seriously - I agree - quality urban planning goes a long way. Don’t design communities that require you to use a car to get anything done. Do provide mass transit along major corridors to reduce the need to commute by car if you don’t need to. Do plan for freight specific transportation. I think the rub is the thought that by ignoring the need to support cars and commercial vehicle transportation, it will simply go away (or at least not cause problems,) which is just not the case. It just ends up moving and shifting to areas that are even worse causing other problems that are even less easy to mitigate.
norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
> CB
02/24/2016 at 22:45 |
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I definitely agree. As someone who lives in a semi rural area the car is a sorta necessity. In my area we do have busses that go between towns but unless you plan on walking around towns you’re really only getting between the cities. So having a car helps. In more metropolitan areas we definitely should emphasize more light rail allowing less congestion in city centre and surrounding areas. Though cars should still be allowed (w limited access of course) in for those coming from more rural areas. Though a better rail system in place would most certainly help cut down on congestion. Its a hard task to implement in such a large and spread out area such as the united states and Canada. It’s a weird place being a “car person” and supporter of environmental conservation. I hope we can move towards better public transport in the near future though.
Birddog
> CB
02/24/2016 at 22:51 |
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I think a lot of people need to stop living in “The City” and go rural for a while. Most city dwellers don’t even know that there’s actually life outside of their little bubble unless they see it on PBS.
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CB
> Birddog
02/24/2016 at 22:55 |
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I lived in Aurora, Ontario for a while, so I understand the whole “small towns means you need a car” thing.
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Slant6
> wafflesnfalafel
02/24/2016 at 23:03 |
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You’re right. But we won’t see anything close to this in our life times.
People don’t want this change. Also taking mass amounts of trucks off the road means mass amounts of jobs lost. We’re too dependent on our current infrastructure to absorb a new one anytime soon.
glemon
> CB
02/24/2016 at 23:07 |
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I am down with this, if they up they availability of public/alternative transportation in urban areas the streets will be clearer and maybe politicians will worry less about regulating cars and roads and such.
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wafflesnfalafel
> Slant6
02/24/2016 at 23:09 |
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I think it’s more of a process - it won’t ever be “fixed”. You just are constantly planning out of head of growth, readjusting, etc. And if you don’t - then you are always just stopgapping with bandaid type fixes... And I agree with you about the trucks - you can’t actively make commerce more difficult and be successful - it will just move someplace else.
thebigbossyboss
> CB
02/24/2016 at 23:10 |
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I actually enjoyed living in vanier because I could walk to mcdonalds or wherever when I wanted but I enjoyed the freedom of having a car also even if I could have commuted without one. Sometimes if my car was in the shop I would walk home. It was a long walk, (just under an hour) but definitely doable.
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Slant6
> wafflesnfalafel
02/24/2016 at 23:17 |
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Yeah.
JDMatt
> CB
02/24/2016 at 23:23 |
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I just came back from Manila. Be thankful most drivers in north america stay in their lanes in a traffic jam, and that buses aren’t trying to squash you.
-this space for rent-
> CB
02/24/2016 at 23:27 |
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The “Ban cars” angle is a stupid. It’s picking a fight where one is not needed.
Create an environment where cars are not a necessity and there will naturally be fewer cars.
Suggesting people be forced to give up their cars and you’ll just piss people off. Even the non car enthusiast.
WhiskeyGolf
> CB
02/24/2016 at 23:50 |
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Richmond Hill, checking in!
TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
> CB
02/25/2016 at 00:18 |
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no I like my three cars and one truck
The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock
> CB
02/25/2016 at 00:45 |
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When ever drive that way I take the 3 hour longer way just to drive highway 60. In the fall it is so worth it the extra km’s. Its not full of hair pins, but lots of elevation change, and sweepers.
Especially in Algonquin Park.
