My wife and I mused over the push for bikes. Just imagaine a family trying to shop for groceries, limited by what they could carry in a basket? (And don't humor my be suggesting everyone could pull a little "cart" attachment behind them.)
I suppose if you lived in the city, you might be able to walk to a grocery store within a few blocks of your residence...maybe. I'd have to think you'd need to visit your grocery store at least several times per week, to supplement your pantry. but what if you lived out further in the suburbs, or in a part of town without easy access to a grocery store?
What would you do in inclement weather, or in the winter? What do the elderly, or perhaps those who are otherwise physically handicapped do?
What about shopping for clothing, or home supplies; e.g. toilet paper or tissues, or cleaning supplies? What about pet food, or small appliances? I suppose you could use a delivery service--that must be the liberals' dream--it creates "jobs," and eliminates private citizens from driving, though it's terribly inefficient.
We lived for a time in a 3rd story apartment in Antwerp, Belgium without a car. European city living is fascinating. Yes, you had to walk or bike or bus to everything, but there were lot of little quaint shops all around.
The Apothek was next door. The Boulangerie was around the corner. Even before 6a.m., fresh REAL bread was there and waiting. I miss that the most. Two things America cannot make are bread and beer.
A Delhaize grocery store was half a mile away. And the Leonidas chocolate shops were too close. At Christmas we walked to the Grote Markt town square and carried our Tannenbaum back in the falling snow. It was fun. Almost felt like living in a Dickens’ novel.
There were no ugly strip malls that you had to drive miles to. Only “hardship” was having to haul home heating oil to the apartment since there was no central heating. Those were 50lb barrels. Had to roll them back on a dolly from a shop about a km away.
There were no stores like Walmart where you could find anything you needed. You would have to find a stationery store to get paper clips.
Once had to have a refrigerator delivered. Had to pay for a city permit so that the store truck could come and plant itself on the street by our apartment and use its elevator truck to get the refrigerator through my 3rd story window.
I was raised as a country boy and this was my first experience living in a city. I’m back to country living, but must say I miss a lot of the surprising charm of the small craft and food shops in a bustling city. Every shop had its piquant and flavorful aroma.
An Antwerp barber told me that America was nice, but just too big. Too hard to move around in without a car.