[Improvotter]

I think this is due to how car dependent North America is. There are so many aspects that are missed in these pictures or what you are for example experiencing. It's not that you're situation is improving, it's most likely not. But that's not due to car independent cities being bad, it's because changing from being car dependent to car independent is hard and takes time.

I would recommend you have a look at Not Just Bikes on YouTube, a Canadian that moved to the Netherlands. He talks about car independent cities in Europe, more specifically The Netherlands and compares it to car dependent North America. Here is a video that talks about how these "car independent" countries are still the best to drive in compared to others: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8RRE2rDw4k.

Regardless, I would recommend you check out a few other of his videos, most importantly his series on the US non profit organisation "Strong Towns": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_SXXTBypIg&list=PLJp5q-R0lZ.... It think it's about sharing the message that placing public transport, cyclists, and pedestrians in the forefront is better for almost everyone involved, including drivers, and especially people who live in cities and towns.

[ralferoo]

I noticed in the year I lived in London how nice it was to never actually use my car, even though it did move to London with me. Obviously, London is very much not a car-free zone, but the public transportation is sufficient that a car isn't needed, and driving is generally such a frustrating experience that you only do it when you have to, usually for getting out of the city and going somewhere else where you need the car.

[Muromec]

>Here is a video that talks about how these "car independent" countries are still the best to drive in compared to others

Of course they are -- there is less traffic, since everybody doesn't have to be on the same road at the same time in most-inefficient mode of transport.

If you want to have empty roads -- you better support public transport and bike infrastructure.

[lbreakjai]

That's not just that. Single lanes and one-way streets means that you don't have to fight for space with people lane-hopping and trying to get an extra meter farther ahead, slowing everyone else down in the process.