February was a MUCH better "low car" month than January, for sure! Mostly good dry, warmer, sunny weather, more light in the evening, much better riding conditions. 849.2 Km / 527.7 Mi on the bike, just 57.13 Km / 35.5 Mi on the car. That included loaning it out to someone for a day; I only put about 25 of that on it myself, mostly trips to get bulky stuff at stores.

Total for the year is: 1575 Km bike vs. 228 Km on the car, clost to a 7:1 ratio. (NOTE: I miscalculated the ratio in my January post)

I live in rural-ish exurbs of a big city. Over the years, people move further and further out for “affordable housing.” The area is growing but I live in the woods in a non-typical house with no HOA. People have unique homes, small farm/garden, have animals, etc. Aka NOT a cookie cutter neighborhood.

This is of my choosing since I want serenity, privacy, and not a typical suburban life. I don’t need need or want a “luxury new build.” I WFH so will often go days without leaving my community. I don’t drive all the time and if I do it’s not far. But overall, tons of cookie cutter devs are popping up. Locals get priced out, etc.

Many in my area have long commutes (hour +) maybe at least 50% or more due to lack of hood paying local jobs. All on already clogged roads. The area keeps growing yet most roads are country roads with single lanes moving the amount of people that need a highway. There are a few busses but you have to drive to get to them.

It’s also impossible to widen some roads, yet at the same time, people are struggling with traffic/long commutes. Locals talk about suburban sprawl, traffic, etc. But they are often opposed (or at least not aware) that other options exist. But they’ll be damned if we invest in trains or busses.

How can we get through to people that (even with SFH) we can have walkable communities, invest in transit, stop paving over everything, etc. I feel like people are frustrated at the same things, yet from different angles.

TLDR - locals are annoyed @ newcomers and rapid housing growth due to suburban sprawl. How can we connect with people on better solutions for more sustainable growth?

In my opinion, I think that noise pollution from cars is one of the biggest pollution sources in urban areas. People should be able to open their windows without hearing a single noise from cars. People should be able to cycle, walk on the sidewalk or enjoy green spaces without having to inhale or hear constant car noise.

The second biggest pollution is light pollution preventing us from having a clear view of the stars at night and disturbing many species of animals. Light pollution at night also disturbs our circadian rhythm.

If you remove car noise pollution and light pollution, you got rid of the majority of pollution.

In some European countries, so-called remote "rural" and "protected" areas can be surrounded by roads and affected by noise pollution coming from cars. Solving this problem will help both urban and rural areas.

What do you think?

ChatGPT is a really interesting source for info about traffic data and rezoning. Pretty much most of the answers I throw at it support traffic calming and active transportation modalities as an essentially foregone conclusion based on existing traffic and air quality data. I'll leave just a snippet of our conversation for reference:

Me: What is the most efficient land use in cities?

ChatGPT: The most efficient land use in cities often involves a mix of residential, commercial, and recreational spaces, designed to maximize accessibility, minimize travel distances, and promote sustainability. Here are some key components of efficient land use in cities:

1. Mixed-Use Development: Integrating different land uses within the same neighborhood or district reduces the need for long commutes and promotes walkability. Mixed-use developments typically combine residential, commercial, and retail spaces, allowing residents to live, work, and shop within close proximity.
2. Transit-Oriented Development (TOD): Designing neighborhoods and developments around public transit hubs encourages residents to use public transportation instead of relying on private vehicles. TOD typically involves higher-density development near transit stations, with a mix of housing, offices, and amenities within walking distance of transit stops.
3. Compact and Dense Development: Higher-density development patterns, such as apartment buildings, townhouses, and mid-rise or high-rise developments, allow for more efficient use of land and infrastructure. Compact development reduces urban sprawl, preserves open space, and supports efficient transportation networks.
4. Green Spaces and Parks: Incorporating green spaces, parks, and recreational areas into urban areas provides important environmental and health benefits, including improved air quality, enhanced biodiversity, and opportunities for recreation and relaxation. Green spaces also help mitigate the urban heat island effect and manage stormwater runoff.
5. Complete Streets: Designing streets to accommodate all modes of transportation, including pedestrians, cyclists, public transit, and private vehicles, promotes safety, accessibility, and connectivity. Complete streets feature sidewalks, bike lanes, crosswalks, and accessible public transportation options, making it easier for people to move around the city without relying on cars.
6. Smart Growth Principles: Smart growth principles emphasize compact, mixed-use development, preservation of open space, and reinvestment in existing infrastructure. By directing growth to existing urban areas and infill sites, smart growth strategies help reduce the environmental impacts of development, promote economic vitality, and create vibrant, livable communities.

Overall, efficient land use in cities involves balancing the needs of residents, businesses, and the environment to create sustainable, inclusive, and resilient urban environments.

Me: What is the best way to reduce traffic?

ChatGPT: Reducing traffic congestion requires a combination of strategies aimed at managing demand, improving infrastructure, and promoting alternative modes of transportation. Here are some effective ways to reduce traffic:

1. Invest in Public Transit: Enhancing public transit networks, including buses, trains, and light rail, provides people with viable alternatives to driving. Increasing the frequency, coverage, and reliability of public transit services encourages more people to use mass transit for their daily commute.
2. Promote Active Transportation: Encouraging walking and cycling through infrastructure improvements, such as bike lanes, sidewalks, and pedestrian-friendly streets, reduces the number of short trips made by car. Investing in bike-sharing programs and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure also promotes active transportation options.
3. Implement Congestion Pricing: Congestion pricing charges drivers a fee for entering congested areas during peak hours, thereby incentivizing carpooling, shifting travel times, or using alternative transportation modes. Revenue generated from congestion pricing can be reinvested into public transit or transportation infrastructure projects.
4. Support Telecommuting and Flexible Work Hours: Allowing employees to work from home or adjust their work hours can help spread out peak travel times and reduce congestion during rush hours. Telecommuting options and flexible work schedules also improve work-life balance and reduce the need for daily commuting.
5. Encourage Carpooling and Ridesharing: Promoting carpooling and ridesharing services through incentives, such as carpool lanes, discounted parking rates, or subsidies for ride-sharing apps, reduces the number of single-occupancy vehicles on the road and optimizes vehicle occupancy rates.
6. Optimize Traffic Signal Timing: Improving traffic signal timing and coordination helps reduce delays, minimize stops, and improve traffic flow along busy corridors. Adaptive traffic signal systems use real-time data to adjust signal timing based on current traffic conditions, reducing congestion and improving overall efficiency.
7. Invest in Road and Transportation Infrastructure: Upgrading and expanding roadways, bridges, and transportation infrastructure helps accommodate growing traffic volumes and alleviate congestion bottlenecks. Strategic investments in transportation projects, such as new highways, interchanges, or transit facilities, can improve mobility and reduce congestion in the long term.

By implementing a combination of these strategies and encouraging sustainable transportation choices, cities can effectively reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and enhance the overall quality of life for residents.

Me: Are you just saying this because I agree or because the data supports these strategies?

ChatGPT: I'm suggesting these strategies because they are widely supported by research, data, and real-world examples of successful traffic reduction initiatives implemented in cities around the world. Studies have shown that investing in public transit, promoting active transportation, implementing congestion pricing, supporting telecommuting, and optimizing traffic signal timing are effective ways to reduce traffic congestion and improve urban mobility.

For example, cities like Singapore, London, and Stockholm have successfully reduced traffic congestion and improved air quality through congestion pricing schemes. Investments in public transit systems in cities like New York City, Tokyo, and Paris have led to increased ridership and reduced dependence on private vehicles.

Furthermore, research from transportation experts, urban planners, and government agencies consistently highlights the effectiveness of these strategies in managing traffic demand, improving transportation efficiency, and promoting sustainable mobility options. While the specific implementation of these strategies may vary depending on local context and conditions, they have been proven to be effective in addressing traffic congestion and promoting more efficient and sustainable transportation systems.

Hello! I'm a 3rd year Human Geography student at Durham University. I'm writing a dissertation on opinions about 15-minute cities concerning car-use, access to services and post-pandemic urban planning solutions. Since low car use is a cornerstone of the 15-minute city concept, it would be great if anyone in this community could fill out my survey.

Of course, it is completely anonymous and confidential. Most required questions are multiple choice so it should be quick to fill out. However, there are also long answer questions to answer if you would like to go into more depth about your opinions.

Thank you for your help!

Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeWwxX0c01vXW84xtg7p9T3NhtW4Jv-rRq0yqDGQBKG2pot8Q/viewform?usp=sf_link

762 Km / 473 Mi on the bike, 107Km / 106.1Mi on the car; about a 7:1 bike vs. car ratio to start the year. It was absolutely horrible weather where I live, still rode in -23C / -10F temps, but... ended up riding a lot less than usual, driving just a bit more. About half the car distance was driving out of town to do some freelance work. Ice storm one day, didn't get to ride at all that day.