I live most of my time in a 15-minute city in Playas de Tijuana and it is fantastic. And so why do I need a car? The problem is my job—I work at SDSU. When I am on summer break, I literally live in a different world. During the academic year, I am a slave to the automobile and the freeway system. Public transit exists but is not adequate to get me there and back, housing options near there are unaffordable. And that whole neighborhood itself is largely not walkable. If we want 15-minute cities for all, one problem to resolve is making housing near workplaces affordable for the workers.
I think there are a lot of folks who have similar situations, albeit not necessarily a commute that crosses borders. I lived in a neighborhood of San Diego, University Heights, where I could get just about everything within walking distance, yet I had a 40 mile a day work commute.
Ugh, right wing conspiracy theorists and their irrational fears!
I live along a bike path that was once a major rail line until automobiles became fashionable. There was a push by some in our city for improvements on the path (lighting, signals at crossings, re-slurrying, etc). The conservatives in the city pushed back, saying fixing the bike path up would be playing into the (then-liberal) government's plan to "take away our cars." I was flabbergasted at this irrationality, but its the same line you report on in present opposition to 15-minute cities.
Yes! Here in San Diego, where I live, in the recent mayoral race, one of the candidates ran on removing bike lanes. He lost. I believe that he mostly lost for other reasons, but this issue probably helped to sink his campaign.
The local right-wing radio and TV vilify the bike lanes, painting them as something only the elite want.
I just use "walkable community" now to avoid the fights.
I live most of my time in a 15-minute city in Playas de Tijuana and it is fantastic. And so why do I need a car? The problem is my job—I work at SDSU. When I am on summer break, I literally live in a different world. During the academic year, I am a slave to the automobile and the freeway system. Public transit exists but is not adequate to get me there and back, housing options near there are unaffordable. And that whole neighborhood itself is largely not walkable. If we want 15-minute cities for all, one problem to resolve is making housing near workplaces affordable for the workers.
I think there are a lot of folks who have similar situations, albeit not necessarily a commute that crosses borders. I lived in a neighborhood of San Diego, University Heights, where I could get just about everything within walking distance, yet I had a 40 mile a day work commute.
Ugh, right wing conspiracy theorists and their irrational fears!
I live along a bike path that was once a major rail line until automobiles became fashionable. There was a push by some in our city for improvements on the path (lighting, signals at crossings, re-slurrying, etc). The conservatives in the city pushed back, saying fixing the bike path up would be playing into the (then-liberal) government's plan to "take away our cars." I was flabbergasted at this irrationality, but its the same line you report on in present opposition to 15-minute cities.
Yes! Here in San Diego, where I live, in the recent mayoral race, one of the candidates ran on removing bike lanes. He lost. I believe that he mostly lost for other reasons, but this issue probably helped to sink his campaign.
The local right-wing radio and TV vilify the bike lanes, painting them as something only the elite want.
So wild, considering how much cheaper bikes are to own and operate than cars.
Great Article. Very inspiring.
Thanks so much!
Excellent work, Paul ~ thank you!
Thanks so much!