> Weather, distance, all the other cons of cycling (groceries, passengers, other large cargo).
The same applies for driving, yet somehow the Dutch manage to continue a high participation rate even during bad weather.
> Yes a bike is better in terms of absolute freedom but only in situations where the trade-offs are tolerable.
We are talking about tradeoffs here - perceived or otherwise. There isn't a perfect scenario, but what systems Netherlands has in place is arguably better. Better freedoms both for riders as well as those who must drive. Perhaps also think of it in terms of gun laws in Australia vs gun laws in America, and measure where the fear lies (are schoolchildren afraid? are parents? or just mostly men?)
> I can't go pick up a piece of furniture on my bike.
Perhaps. However there are many cases where it can be and is done without a great deal of drama. At worst, you can still use a car even if others have access to alternatives - it's not a total ban we're discussing but rather higher standards before vehicles are deployed. It should be about fairness when it comes to ownership of public space.
As it stands in much of the Anglophone world, driver licences are easier to obtain than they are to lose. In fact, it's commonly possible to continue driving the very next day (or hour) after being booked for drink driving. The system is broken, and lessons need to be learnt from not only aviation safety, but from countries that do it better. However, what's somewhat evident is that places such as Silicon Valley would rather reinvent the wheel and solve any social or community problem by selling more software rather than learn from existing best practice.
Right now, the system is so imbalanced in favour of private motoring that nobody wins (not even drivers). Suburban sprawl and "might over right" however is a very popular western platform for voters, for now. Driverless cars won't come soon enough compared to the other options that already exist in Netherlands, Sweden and even perhaps Germany.
The same applies for driving, yet somehow the Dutch manage to continue a high participation rate even during bad weather.
> Yes a bike is better in terms of absolute freedom but only in situations where the trade-offs are tolerable.
We are talking about tradeoffs here - perceived or otherwise. There isn't a perfect scenario, but what systems Netherlands has in place is arguably better. Better freedoms both for riders as well as those who must drive. Perhaps also think of it in terms of gun laws in Australia vs gun laws in America, and measure where the fear lies (are schoolchildren afraid? are parents? or just mostly men?)
> I can't go pick up a piece of furniture on my bike.
Perhaps. However there are many cases where it can be and is done without a great deal of drama. At worst, you can still use a car even if others have access to alternatives - it's not a total ban we're discussing but rather higher standards before vehicles are deployed. It should be about fairness when it comes to ownership of public space.
As it stands in much of the Anglophone world, driver licences are easier to obtain than they are to lose. In fact, it's commonly possible to continue driving the very next day (or hour) after being booked for drink driving. The system is broken, and lessons need to be learnt from not only aviation safety, but from countries that do it better. However, what's somewhat evident is that places such as Silicon Valley would rather reinvent the wheel and solve any social or community problem by selling more software rather than learn from existing best practice.
Right now, the system is so imbalanced in favour of private motoring that nobody wins (not even drivers). Suburban sprawl and "might over right" however is a very popular western platform for voters, for now. Driverless cars won't come soon enough compared to the other options that already exist in Netherlands, Sweden and even perhaps Germany.