I find that there is resentment toward both cyclists and pedestrians. Two major benefits of cycling and walking are that they are: a) very flexible modes of transport; and b) a blind eye can safely be turned toward more of the infractions they commit. Cyclists and pedestrians can stop in the middle of their journey to look at a shop window or chat with a passerby. While motorists only have leeway when it comes to rolling stops and going 10 over the limit, cyclists and pedestrians can safely perform cycling through reds, jaywalking and switching between on-street lanes and cycle lanes. Consequently, motorists get a bit envious when they see cyclists and pedestrians doing things they simply cannot.
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“Such suburban models are being rationalized as ‘what people want,’ when in fact they are simply what is most expedient to produce. The truth is that what people want is a decent place to live, not just a suburban version of a decent place to live.”
- Roberta Brandes Gratz
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