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But everyone wants a car….

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One argument I often hear against neighbourhoods or cities free of cars and motorbikes is the aspiration people have to buy their own motorized vehicle. Where most people already own one, I hear of the incessant demand for parking and the desire to be able to reach everywhere by personal motorized vehicle. There is no doubt a strong desire for such things. But what surprises me is how much importance we give to those demands while we ignore the other demands that people have. Surely people also want affordable housing, good schools for their children, and attractive and safe parks? Surely people want to be able to breathe the air without falling ill, and to be able to walk in their city without running the risk of losing life or limb? People with disabilities want to be able to move around safely and conveniently. Children and the elderly crave independent mobility. The list goes on. What we have to be clearer about is the tradeoffs required. Sure, we can have ever more cars and motorbikes, wider streets on which to drive them, and plenty of free or low-cost parking. But we can’t have all that and liveable cities. Given a choice, I’m sure some people would choose their personal motorized vehicle. But they are surely not the majority, nor should their choices be allowed to ruin liveability for everyone else.