The generation that complains about "participation trophy kids" is the same generation that made it impossible for kids to walk or bike to school
How are kids supposed to become capable and independent if they have to be chauffeured everywhere?
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In certain wealthy suburban areas there are still plenty of kids walking to and from school. If you're unfortunate enough to be driving a car during school arrival/dismissal hours, you'll notice this because the speed limit is 15 mph for like 2 mi radius all around the schools.
the speed limit is 15 mph for like 2 mi radius all around the schools.
Damn. In most respects, I'd describe Australian urban planning as "American, but a little bit better".
But you guys seem to to this better. Here, school zones are 40 km/h (I dunno, like, 25 in mediaeval units?), and seem to last about 50 metres beyond the school boundary at best.
Edit: oh and I just remembered, my city's Lord Mayor used the fact that school zones are 40 as an argument against listing the speed limit in small residential streets to 30. "If it's good enough for kids, it should be good enough for adult cyclists and pedestrians!" seemed to be his angle.
The other problem is many residential streets in Australia are too fucking wide. One minor connecting street near my house could almost fit two lanes in each direction, plus parking on both sides. It's absurd, and any wonder people end up speeding on it. On the plus side, all of that space could easily be converted into protected bike lanes. Hell, throw in a wide footpath on either side too, and you'll still have a lane in each direction.
True, definitely a big problem. But from what I've seen, that's also a problem in America, so fell into the "we're America but a little bit better" camp.