Of course it takes a European maker
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They’re fantastic, but personally I’m not sure I would want one. It seems an urban car like this would be most useful to people living in older neighborhoods close to dense areas, but too far from daily shopping needs to walk. Most of my needs are within two blocks of my apartment, and with the Metro about that same distance away I have little need for a neighborhood get-around. If I ever do get a car my main use for it would be weekend excursion road trips. It would likely sit unused during the work week. That in mind, I’m not sure I’d be comfortable taking one of these things on the interstate.
Tags: technology urbanism lifestyle
posted by Cirrus of Malla @ 9:11 AM ⢠Permalink
5 comments
5 Comments:
"They’re fantastic, but personally I’m not sure I would want one. It seems an urban car like this would be most useful to people living in older neighborhoods close to dense areas, but too far from daily shopping needs to walk."
A bicycle could easily meet many of these needs, and it polutes less than a Smart Car, takes up less space too.
I recently got a beat up used bike for $50. I can easily do most of my shopping with it. Most of the stores I go to are about 2 miles away. I have an easy 5 mile range with this bike. I'm thinking of getting a trailer to increase the load I can handle. When I combine this with a bicycle friendly METRO system, the possibilities become even better.
For more on this idea check out "Divorce Your Car" by katie Alvord.
I agree. Biking is better if you can do it, just like walking is better if it's an option.
But there's still a niche for these. Grocery shopping comes to mind. I'm close enough I just borrow a cart from the store if it's too much to carry in a backpack, but that doesn't work if you're a mile away.
Whole Foods is about 2 miles from my house. I can ride there with the bike, pick up a load of groceries, and ride home. I am thinking of getting a trailer, usually used to haul kids, so I can bring home more groceries. There is also a Giant and a Safeway near the Whole Foods. And, a nice indie grocery about 4 miles away. All can be handled with the bike, no need for a car.
Until you break your leg.
It’s wonderful that you get along without a car. So do I. But not everyone can, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Cars are not inherently evil. They’re wonderfully useful tools. The problem is not that they exist, but that we’ve allowed them to take over our lives and our country. It’s a problem of excess, not existence.
For a nicer picture of the Smart Car, and some more info, go here:
http://www.cooltownstudios.com/mt/archives/000832.html
And I'm not planning on giving up my bicycle!
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