One of the benefits of traveling is that it helps us see Home with fresh eyes. That was certainly the case after a recent trip to Scotland. A week driving on Scottish streets and roads clarified for me just how bad (unsafe, un-fun, and wasteful) the status quo North American approach to street design is. As I wrote in a new article for Strong Towns: “I was reminded that the best way to slow cars isn’t by enforcement, speed limits, or even traffic signals—it is through road design.” Using simple design choices — roundabouts, give-way signs, narrower lanes, and “passing places” — Scotland managed to make this Yankee’s driving experience safe and pleasurable, all while preserving that most precious of resources: land. I talk about those design features in my article. I’d be curious to hear your experience: Has traveling abroad shaped how you think about how we build towns and cities in the U.S. and Canada? Which of the design features I describe in the article would you most like to see incorporated into the North American transportation system?
Charlie Birch
6mo
My travels exposed me to robust well kept public transit system (London) - gosh I LOVED that. Not needing a car!! Additionally, travel to places like Venice and other old town in Croatia and Romania demonstrate that entire cities can be built and inhabited without allowing cars to drive on streets. Car free zones are amazing. And Amsterdamn of course - the most bike friendly town in the world. Just wow! In my current home town bike lanes and side walks would be a vast improvement as our stroad maze makes us car dependent for EVERYTHING. The closest park is 15 minute walk but I would NEVER walk it, its just not safe to do so. So we drive to the park to walk. There is one mostly safe bike route but it can only be riden certain times of day when traffic is minimal.
Colleen Hoesly
5mo
I was on a hiking trip in Scotland this summer. I LOVED the passing places on the rural roads, but all the Americans on the trip agreed that American drivers would not be polite enough to share the road that way, which I thought was a pretty sad sentiment.
Outreach & Engagement Specialist at CTrides, Stamford Region | Community & Connection Specialist
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Funny, I was just thinking about this earlier today. I was remembering a trip to Ireland, where I drove the perimeter of the island. Most non-highway, two-lane roads there were about 12 feet wide. When a car came from the opposite direction, you had to slow down and pull over a bit to make sure everyone had enough space. Plus the winding turns and narrow roads forced you to be in “system 2” the whole time—no day dreaming, texting, or otherwise while driving that’s for sure. Coming from the US, it was exhausting—and brilliant 🙂