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Only snobs think cars are class and bikes crass
By Mary Frances Dunham |
September 13, 2010, Monday
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DEAR editor,
Thank you for warning that the current "explosion" in the number of cars in Shanghai is threatening further the already-threatened air we breathe ("All our innovation hasn't cleaned up auto pollution" published in Shanghai Daily's opinion page on September 7).
You have pointed out that "innovation of the mind, not of technology" should be "what matters most to a society."
Indeed, many members of Shanghai society may need to modify their idea of car ownership as a symbol of success, and to recognize instead that car-free transportation, by transit, by bicycle or by walking, does not indicate a low-class status. After all, to respect the health of a society is the aristocratic thing to do.
September 22 is Car-free Day around the world. Here is an opportunity for the leaders of Shanghai society to publicize the virtues of car-free transport.
Mayors of large cities from London to Bogota have set a good example not only on such special days, but at times of their own choice. Our mayor here and the city's top executives could do the same. The rest of us lesser beings who travel on foot or on two wheels could carry a sign: "I left my Fiat at home."
However, we must admit that walking and cycling in Shanghai can be difficult for several reasons. Shanghai's choice of traffic lane distribution, its traffic regulations and the lack of their enforcement all favor cars. Inside a car a person can feel protected and comfortable as well as feeling upper class.
In the recent year Shanghai has been experimenting with ways to encourage society to leave its cars at home, if not simply to forego buying them. There are some "park-and-ride" programs in existence whereby a cyclist can ride from home to a metro station and park his or her bicycle and take the metro for the rest of a journey.
Also "free" bicycle rental programs are scattered in the heart of the city as well as in the peripheral districts. The metro lines have been expanded and the city's bus system is being studied in view of improvements.
Many "pedestrianized" streets are doing well. But such efforts have been poorly publicized.
In fact, some have not been publicized at all; society has insufficient knowledge of these programs in order to support them.
It is insufficient to preach to society about the unhealthy consequences to its members if there are too many cars in its public spaces. Most people agree that an excess of cars is unhealthy and often self-defeating, but individuals in society feel helpless to make a change.
People need to see how alternatives work and for this to happen more leaders need to become concerned and to publicize how alternatives can compete with the present popularity of car ownership.
Alternatives can be chic, fun and healthy as well as morally righteous.
Sincerely,
Mary Frances Dunham,
a city cyclist grandma
Thank you for warning that the current "explosion" in the number of cars in Shanghai is threatening further the already-threatened air we breathe ("All our innovation hasn't cleaned up auto pollution" published in Shanghai Daily's opinion page on September 7).
You have pointed out that "innovation of the mind, not of technology" should be "what matters most to a society."
Indeed, many members of Shanghai society may need to modify their idea of car ownership as a symbol of success, and to recognize instead that car-free transportation, by transit, by bicycle or by walking, does not indicate a low-class status. After all, to respect the health of a society is the aristocratic thing to do.
September 22 is Car-free Day around the world. Here is an opportunity for the leaders of Shanghai society to publicize the virtues of car-free transport.
Mayors of large cities from London to Bogota have set a good example not only on such special days, but at times of their own choice. Our mayor here and the city's top executives could do the same. The rest of us lesser beings who travel on foot or on two wheels could carry a sign: "I left my Fiat at home."
However, we must admit that walking and cycling in Shanghai can be difficult for several reasons. Shanghai's choice of traffic lane distribution, its traffic regulations and the lack of their enforcement all favor cars. Inside a car a person can feel protected and comfortable as well as feeling upper class.
In the recent year Shanghai has been experimenting with ways to encourage society to leave its cars at home, if not simply to forego buying them. There are some "park-and-ride" programs in existence whereby a cyclist can ride from home to a metro station and park his or her bicycle and take the metro for the rest of a journey.
Also "free" bicycle rental programs are scattered in the heart of the city as well as in the peripheral districts. The metro lines have been expanded and the city's bus system is being studied in view of improvements.
Many "pedestrianized" streets are doing well. But such efforts have been poorly publicized.
In fact, some have not been publicized at all; society has insufficient knowledge of these programs in order to support them.
It is insufficient to preach to society about the unhealthy consequences to its members if there are too many cars in its public spaces. Most people agree that an excess of cars is unhealthy and often self-defeating, but individuals in society feel helpless to make a change.
People need to see how alternatives work and for this to happen more leaders need to become concerned and to publicize how alternatives can compete with the present popularity of car ownership.
Alternatives can be chic, fun and healthy as well as morally righteous.
Sincerely,
Mary Frances Dunham,
a city cyclist grandma
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