I'm vacationing Ireland at the moment, and it really hits me how car-centric it is, and I found the Scottish Highlands be very similar. Quite narrow roads, with hedges or stone fences and very little space for a pedestrian or cyclist.
Southern Germany too, although at least they usually don't put hedges/fences right up to the edge of the road.
I would hate to walk or bike on those roads, despite the beautiful landscapes on display.
Initially I thought there was a pressing need to widen the roads, but then I realized that the real problem is the size of modern cars and how fast most people drive.
While car ownership and driving is currently vital to a lot of rural communities, we need to reclaim the roads for shared usage, and break the imagined car/driver ownership and privilege over them.
Southern Germany too, although at least they usually don't put hedges/fences right up to the edge of the road.
I would hate to walk or bike on those roads, despite the beautiful landscapes on display.
Initially I thought there was a pressing need to widen the roads, but then I realized that the real problem is the size of modern cars and how fast most people drive.
While car ownership and driving is currently vital to a lot of rural communities, we need to reclaim the roads for shared usage, and break the imagined car/driver ownership and privilege over them.