by I_Like_Plants » Thu 20 Dec 2007, 00:44:43
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('yesplease', '
')An example of this is automobiles in American cities. The average speed of a vehicle is ~30mph in the states, so in crowded cities it's likely far less, and Americans spend around a half hour per day in their vehicles, which is likely far more in crowded cities. It's also been suggested that most people in America would see a significant increase in health by exercising a mere half hour per day.
OK this is something I know a little bit about ..... I timed it and it was about 2-3 hours a day ass-on-seat, hands-on-wheel, driving. Doing biz, making deliveries, buying stuff, selling stuff, getting food, etc. It's a little high but actual ass-on-seat time is up around there for most Americans, because my trip to the post office is their dropping off/picking up the little brats at soccar or violin lessons. My planned-out string of errends and shopping is their less-well-planned string.
I covered about 50 miles a day.
I did the same routine by bicycle for a period of several months, and again my "utility" riding was a little less, but I'd go out on rides too, that were recreational. It's hard at first, the wind pushes you around, but I can tell you, there is no vehicle I've driven or ridden that makes you feel at much "King Of The Road" as a bicycle, when you're in shape.
Americans could do a LOT on bicycles. I carried serious amounts of stuff. I carried even more serious amounts of stuff with a Burley trailer.
But there are some weird economics at work, a cheap $1500 or so Toyota sedan could do a trip to the swapmeet once a month and pay for its gas and upkeep. If one person goes to the City, the train is by far the best, but if a group of 4 are going, 4 train tickets come out about the same as the cost of taking a car.
But for the most part, Americans have bigger cars than they need, pay far too much for them, drive them too much, etc. You don't even have to be a greenie to come to this conclusion, just being a good old fashioned tightwad argues very strongly for biking and walking and using a car as little as possible.