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Dear NYC: Stop Hating on Drivers

Cars, bikes, public transit can coexist: Justin Davidson

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted May 28, 2012 1:27 PM CDT

(Newser) – Driving has become a sin, "demoted to a form of depravity": Holier-than-thou car-haters remind motorists that they're destroying lives, wrecking the planet, and boosting our dependence on foreign oil. But there's a time and a place for driving, even in New York City, writes Justin Davidson in New York. "Cars are too useful, too profitable, and too enjoyable to vanish."

Drivers can access the city in an entirely different way from public transit users, who "tend to stick to their habitual goat trails." A motorist can, for example, zoom from Queens to Brooklyn without changing trains three times. What's more, driving in New York has an element of the "extreme sport," requiring expert knowledge and reflexes. Sure, we could benefit from cutting down on cars, using programs like congestion charges; "saving time should cost money." But let's strike a balance so drivers can stop catching grief from everyone else. Click through for Davidson's full piece.

Drivers aren't evil, writes Justin Davidson.
Drivers aren't evil, writes Justin Davidson.   (Shutterstock)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 9 comments
summerfairy
May 28, 2012 3:01 PM CDT
ahhh the forcing of everyone to bicycles continues as I predicted.  Why do you think city after city is building bike lanes on the roads? The descent of America into becoming some Asian shit hole continues.
Xisiuizado
May 28, 2012 2:53 PM CDT
" Sure, we could benefit from cutting down on cars" All we have to do is require the same driving test Finland uses. The weak minded and lazy wound not get licenses, ergo, the congestion, oil usage, and other traffic related issues fall by the wayside. For those who require licenses for everyday survival, they'll either work really hard to obtain the privilege, or they'll either not survive or find another way to do so. For the curious, here's MotorWeek's video on Finnish licensing. http://www.motorweek.org/features/over_the_edge/finland_drivers_license
Non-deep-thinker
May 28, 2012 2:30 PM CDT
Drive in Rome for awhile.
 

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