Quote:
Originally Posted by BFG
Even in Seattle, it was a case of "You walked down that street!". As we get older we add our own mental fears based on media reporting and highlighting of the darker side of life. This detracts people from using the streets, what has been shown over and over again tho by numerous studies is that numbers bread safety and contment so encouraging more to cycle and walk breaks down the fear factors.
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When I lived in VA I used to ride a lot - to work, to school, to go shopping. When I moved to NC I rode for a few weeks and was run off the road twice, had people throw stuff at me or yell things. Damned rednecks (chavs/yobs to you Brits). It didn't matter how far off the road I was, some assbag interbred would take offense to the fact that I was pedaling my mtn bike in the bike like. My favorite rant was "you're not paying taxes".
Walking or buses aren't always an option here due to the lack of infrastructure. For me to take a bus anywhere it's a commitment. Walking is ok but to get to the grocery store I have to either hoof it way out of my way or walk across the highway. There was a passenger bridge but the drug dealers were using it as an escape route so they sealed it off. I could walk to work but the passenger bridge over the river drops you in the middle of a gun zone.
When I was in Jamaica I walked everywhere. Was on my way to the store one day and passed a dozen or so guys sitting under a tree. They asked me why I didn't take a cab or bus. "I want to walk". "You're not scared?" "Of what? This way I get to meet people".
When my base office moves in the end of September it's going to be a bus ride in. 1/4 mile walk to the bus stop, an 8 minute ride downtown, then a 10 minute downhill walk. I'll probably skateboard/bike to/from the stop.