Monday, July 6, 2009

Only Cycling is faster

Everyday Traffic Jam on Avenida Nueve Julio in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Who's got time to grow old in traffic?
The average speed for a journey by car in downtown Buenos Aires is damn sluggish. The moment the picture was taken we were driving 24 kilometers per hour, almost our maximum speed that morning. I wonder why our cities were made so car friendly in the last 50 years and yet don't work as needed. You may know that problem from your city as well. This avenue, the Nueve de Julio, is supposed to be the biggest street in the world but most of the time the street is congested. Oddly enough, streets were obviously built to suit more and more cars, but they were not built for transport efficiency and travel comfort.

10 comments:

Lowell said...

It seems the larger they make the streets, the more cars congregate on them. It's a problem world-wide...some cities stress smaller cars, motorcycles and are bicycle-friendly...that would help.

The US made a huge mistake during the Eisenhower administration by abandoning railroads and public transportation for Interstate Highways...

Now, it's almost impossible to get anywhere unless one drives or flies...

When living in Houston I would leave a hour early just to miss the traffic. If I left at a "normal" time I would have been late for work!

EG CameraGirl said...

I'm afraid the traffic in Toronto, Canada, is just as bad! Very sad.

Clueless in Boston said...

It's the same in Boston, traffic is awful. I never drive in the city unless necessary. I'm becoming more and more an advocate for other means of transportation - public or pedal.

Rajesh said...

This has been the story of every city. No mater, any construction of new roads, fly overs does nor help.

stromsjo said...

Congestion taxes and a good subway won't solve everything but it's a pretty good start.

B SQUARED said...

Just too many people.

AB said...

At least in city areas, it is an iron law: you build a road and people will fill it to congestion with cars. In Latin America, Curitiba seems to the model of how to do things right. They planned the town around public transport.

Greensboro Daily Photo said...

When you stuck are in traffic, remind yourself of the beautiful parts of your city, like the unique El Ateneo Bookstore!

Saretta said...

Cars, traffic, bleh!

Prospero said...

Traffic, in the last 10 years, has steadily degenerated into almost constant grid-lock in Bermuda. You are only allowed one car per family, and yet the problem persists. The cars have gotten larger and larger and the roads here simply can not cope.