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0 pointsericmay3y ago0 comments

> A car with modified controls is an option; but, those costs add to the cost of a vehicle.

How is that any different than today?

> And if you can't walk or bike? There are people who don't have that option; but, they can operate a motor vehicle -- do they just stay home?

Sorry you lost a leg, but I think you could understand that I would maintain what I'm advocating for which would be that you using a motor vehicle for legitimate needs doesn't mean everyone should have to use one for their day-to-day needs.

While I don't have any sort of clear statistics here, if you can't walk or bike I'd imagine many also can't or shouldn't be driving. There are solutions here, including mobility services. Leaping toward "well I have a physical condition that mostly requires me to use a car therefore everyone should have to use a car for their needs as well" doesn't seem like a good solution to me.

To add, I think as we're talking about people for whom walking and biking is difficult we also forget people for whom driving is difficult or unrealistic. The elderly in particular, those with other medical conditions, etc. You might say, yes we should solve that problem too. And I agree, but what I'd say is that society right now is 100% car-first everything and does not even attempt to address the concerns of these people either. Should they just stay home too?

On a lighter note, I've heard many people who have experienced the loss of a limb do well on bikes. I hope that's something you could try and find enjoyment out of if you so choose. Best of luck there. Sincerely.

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3 comments · 2 top-level

55556243y ago· 1 in thread

The way I read your initial comment, it was advocating just getting rid of most cars. It's an anti-car attitude I've seen a lot, especially among hardcore cyclists. I've never understood it, even as I spent 19 years dodging traffic in Washington, DC. If I misread your tone, I apologize.

>On a lighter note, I've heard many people who have experienced the loss of a limb do well on bikes. I hope that's something you could try and find enjoyment out of if you so choose. Best of luck there. Sincerely.

Although I've gotten rid of several, I still have four bikes. I would like to ride again; but, I don't know if it's going to happen. If I do, it's for transportation; so, a prosthetic foot that clips in might not be practical if I am riding to the store or running errands. I may need a socket more suitable to riding than walking. More than anything, though, I worry that I won't be able to keel down and change a tire, out on the road. We'll see, it has not been a year yet.

Avoid Necrotizing Fasciitis and Sepsis, nothing good can come out of that combo. (Losing my leg was not the worst thing that happened that day.)

ericmayOP3y ago

> The way I read your initial comment, it was advocating just getting rid of most cars. It's an anti-car attitude I've seen a lot, especially among hardcore cyclists. I've never understood it, even as I spent 19 years dodging traffic in Washington, DC. If I misread your tone, I apologize.

No need to apologize, just having a fun discussion :)

I'd say my stance is more so removing the need to have a car for most of your day-to-day activities. Instead of having to drive literally everywhere as many (most?) Americans do, being able to walk, bike, or use another transit option to do 90% or so of your day-to-day routine tasks. Cars aren't going anywhere, but we could design and build cities better such that we don't focus on cars at the expense of everything else. I'm also worried about this because the economic physics of using a 2,000lb vehicle to drive a mile down the road for a loaf of bread (which I am guilty of) simply will not make sense in the future. We might get away with it at a higher cost if we are mostly EV and have substantial cheap nuclear energy (pending a new technology breakthrough), but as things stand today it's incredibly wasteful and won't last.

> Avoid Necrotizing Fasciitis

I have recent (last couple of months) personal experience with this with an immediate family member. I am incredibly sorry that you had to experience this disease.

nightski3y ago

That's a great fantasy you have there. The reality is that is not how the U.S. is built, nor will it be for a century or more. In fact the poor have to drive more because they can't afford to live close to work.

Personally I work from home but make a good living. My poor relative has to drive 90 minutes to his minimum wage job in the city. It's really unfortunate.

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