Or: How I Stopped Worrying, and Learned to Love Traffic!
As discussed in “Confessions of and Urban Cyclist”, our traffic flow issues could actually represent what’s wrong with our Society in general! So, by focusing on fixxing traffic issues, we could also trigger other inter-dependent solutions, and unleash a wave of positive Social and Ecological changes that would roll right across the board! Before leaning into this potential tipping point though, first let’s try to eliminate one of the main sources of stress caused by our growing traffic problems.
You see, as an Urban Cyclist, I seriously resent the simplistic Us & Them rhetoric that the Media and Politicians like to foist on ALL of us, in order to polarize traffic issues into ‘sides’ – mostly just to further the agenda’s of pandering politics, and partisan “journalists” as it would seem.
Whether it’s Motorists killing Pedestrians, or ‘Transit’ sidetracking funds needed for roadway upgrades, or Cyclists trying to hog the already congested roads, there’s no end to the ways people can be turned against each other in Traffic. This is obviously an artificial fabrication (manipulation?) that’s meant to segregate people’s needs, so that they can be more easily sold on ideas, and encouraged to adopt simplified personal positions on larger and more complex issues. It also strikes me as rather parasitic (of the Press and Politicians) to prey on the frustrations of Motorists, and the fears of Cyclists in order to win suburban votes, or offer a forum to vent their pent up aggravations about Transit failures. Or just to gain short-term credibility with the “Green” demographics.
So even though I distrust many politicians, and the bureaucratic tax-trough artists who surround them, I can still see the positive potential behind developing a common cause here, and applying civic and communicative processes of Politics and Public Relations to somehow alleviate our pervasive traffic issues. Not just because it will make our streets safer, friendlier, and cleaner. Not because the manner in which we address “Car Culture” will eventually also save our Ecosystem from certain doom at the hands of Petro-Chemical Giants. But because, I just want to be able to enjoy motoring out of town without being constantly astounded by the appalling driving habits of others. Which brings me to why I needed to stop hating traffic so much, before I became entirely disenfranchised with Humanity in general…
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