I live in Christchurch, NZ. After a massive earthquake in 2011, I had high hopes that we might redesign the city for the next 100 years instead of the previous 50 (i.e. for people, not cars).
Instead the city council built a few bike lanes and even then people lost their goddamn minds.
"You're taking away parking space!"
"All these bike lanes are slowing traffic"
"No one wants to bike into the city"
Meanwhile, cyclists are steadily increasing in numbers and the centre of town is actually seeing some signs of life for the first time in decades.
But heaven forfend we actually do something radical and pedestrianise the city.
Instead the city council built a few bike lanes and even then people lost their goddamn minds.
"You're taking away parking space!" "All these bike lanes are slowing traffic" "No one wants to bike into the city"
Meanwhile, cyclists are steadily increasing in numbers and the centre of town is actually seeing some signs of life for the first time in decades.
But heaven forfend we actually do something radical and pedestrianise the city.