[whelp_24]

Not Just Bikes is a convincing advocacy channel. But just because you agree doesn't mean you should ignore that he is trying to convince you of a certain viewpoint. Specifically, urbanization is good, cars are bad (and unfun to drive), bikes are great.

Rewatch the videos, you'll note you can only enjoy many of the changes if you're an advid year round cyclist who lives in a flatish city with nice weather (and who doesn't need anything too far away, most of the time). Buses need roads. Not everyone can cycle, not even with (very, very expensive, even on the low end) ebikes.

[J_Shelby_J]

His channel is literally called not just bikes. He likes bikes, but is not a bike supremicist. He has videos talking about how driving is more pleasant in Amsterdam (true from my experience), he has videos about how awesome Swiss trains are, he has videos about how a walkable city is good for health.

Really his channel should be called “not just cars.” Bikes are just one option he likes as an alternative.

[throw0101c]

> with nice weather

See his video "Why Canadians Can't Bike in the Winter (but Finnish people can)":

* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uhx-26GfCBU

See also Oh The Urbanity!'s various videos on the topic:

* "Winter Isn't a Good Argument Against Bike Lanes": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6153xn_seac

* "Bike Lane Haters Are Wrong About Winter": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdtR3T2Pg4s

* "What Biking in the Winter is Really Like": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sokHu9bhpn8

* "2,000 People Told Us Their Biggest Winter Cycling Challenges": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXETjLqHJmA

And most recent (April 2024), "How Winter Cycling Finally Clicked for Us":

* https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7vickY3yG0

Of course ones doesn't necessarily have to cycle 100% of the time either: do it when you feel most comfortable with it.

[Mawr]

Pretty much all the most commonly used strawman arguments rolled into one post, good job :) You forgot to bring up moving cargo though, so A-.

> advid year round cyclist

So all the women, children, and parents doing utility trips each day on their $50 bikes in the Netherlands are "avid cyclists". Got it.

> flatish city

Bikes have had gears for a looong time. Ebikes are nice too.

> with nice weather

Because the Netherlands is known for its excellent weather? Anyhow, public transport is needed too.

> and who doesn't need anything too far away, most of the time

Yes, we're talking about cities here. Also, trains. Small trains are fun too (trams).

> Buses need roads.

...yes. Thankfully nobody's proposing removing roads.

> Not everyone can cycle

Nobody says they can and not everyone can drive either (:O). In fact, more people can cycle than drive, funny that.

> (very, very expensive, even on the low end) ebikes

Show me a calculation that results in ebikes being in any way expensive compared to a car. In any case, arguing about the expense of biking is absolutely hilarious when you can get a perfectly adequate commuter bike for $50.

Nobody's saying cycling is the miracle solution that works for every person in every situation, everywhere. What they are saying is transportation in dense cities must be efficient and the only way to achieve that is a combination of walkability, cyclability, and public transport. Oh, and you can just use a car if you'd like to, just prepare to pay for the burden you place on others by doing so.

[iknownothow]

I don't need to be convinced of their viewpoint, I live it. I live in another European country, in a city with over million people. I live midway between the middle of the city and the outskirts. Practially everything one needs is available within a 10 minute bike ride. The weather is atrocious sometimes but everyone deals with it by wearing a rain poncho. People who can't bike are on mobility scooters and e-wheelchairs (paid for by health insurance) who share the bike lane. Sometimes I'm too lazy and I take buses, trams, subways and trains which are ubiquitous. And I am not an avid cyclist, wish I was. My bike for me is a tool, a $150 second-hand tool.

Is that the same everywhere in the country or even the city? No. But it's common enough that you'll see parents carrying their kids around in cargo bikes practically anywhere in the country.

P.S. I was generalizing when I said everything's within a 10 minute bike ride to account for all people who live along the same radius as I do. For me personally, everything's available within a 5 minute *walk* - grocery stores, cafes, restaurants, bars, gym, park, playgrounds, kindergartens, schools, train station, doctor, dentist.

[deadbunny]

Ah yes, the Netherlands. Famous for their nice weather.

[huggingmouth]

Comparativly, Netherland's weather is excellent.