andrew
It sounds like you might have misunderstood them. To me, it's sounds like they are telling you to just BIKE. I'd suggest a used bike from a reputable manufacturer, in my city that will set ya back about 200, less than you'd pay for JUST insurance. On a simple bike like this any problem you might experience will be easily diagnosable and self fixable or you can go to a shop and pay a little extra. If you live in an area where things are far apart you might want to look into an e bike, those range from about 1k or more. They can go from 20-30mph and should be treated more seriously as you ride as on a regular bike you will probably only achieve 10-15mph averages. That will have the negative tradeoff of being harder to work on, more expensive, and perhaps frowned upon by "sport" cyclists. Check out this resource for more safety information.
I used to think automated cars might be a good thing because I expect them to behave more predictably than unqualified human drivers. Over time I've changed my mind. In the USA we currently have no way to stop harm from major companies like the ones investing in electric cars. A situation that feels incredibly likely will be that instead of facing jail time like an individual would, companies will receive trivial fines that they will price into the cost of the vehicle for harm caused by their fleets. This will prevent any sort of accountability for vehicles causing harm to living things.
Awesome. You can use this to meet like minded people and build each other up. The more people asking for things the harder it will be for your local government to ignore you. We have little sub groups / organizations that have come up over time like bike grid now as well that has really active in driving engagement and lobbying for a specific plan at public meetings. Feel free to ask more questions, I live in a bike unfriendly part of Chicago and have been working through this for the past several years and currently working with the city to have us included and holding them accountable for following through.
Not sure how it works in Milwaukee but here in Chicago we've made progress by working with city council members, electing mayors/alders that care about the issue, building a strong biking community, and trying to engage CDOT. I recommend figuring out your local city council person and try to get them to help you as the first step. If it's not already happening you might want to try to organize critical mass. I'd love to Amtrak up to Milwaukee and bike to my favorite places and friends that live there.
Thanks for the update. I do still see my posts if I visit them in their source instance like here for example https://lemmy.ml/comment/1654092
Mass incarceration is a total disgrace and spits in the face of the USA's motto "land of the free." It makes us look like foolish suckers. So proud of our state and so glad this is being implemented.
They also acquired and still run the business previously done by Monsanto known for things like agent orange and eliminating corn biodiversity. Their legal department is also infamous for bankrupting small farmers.
Automobiles. Especially in the USA they are causing a public health crisis, environmental crisis, qualify of life crisis. I grew up loving them and they have uses but I'm fully convinced in the future they should be a luxury used for specific tasks or trips rather than the only form of transportation available.
Loved this stuff back in the day as well. I still do. I got to see Slipknot live at a festival a few years back and they put on one of the more impressive shows I've seen.
I'm optimistic about my city. It's not perfect but we've had substantial political victories recently, growing demand as well as some investment in better cycling / public transit infrastructure, and great existing amenities. We have a ton of diversity and affordable neighborhoods.
The Johnson transition team recommends 20mph for through roads and 10mph for residential. Traffic enforcement is low but these speed limit adjustments would raise the amount of drivers being considered criminal drivers with serious consequences. Right now you can be going 55 mph on a city street and still only be considered for a trivial fine despite creating violent and dangerous situations. The signs indicate the maximum speed you are supposed to go but most drivers treat it as a minimum. It's almost like people consider driving a right. It's a privilege and you should have to strictly follow the rules of the road of you want to keep a license.