this post was submitted on 12 Jan 2024
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Fuck Cars

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It's a well know fact that car companies (especially American ones) lobbied their governments to create car infrastructure. So why don't bike companies do the same for bike infrastructure? (lemmy.world)
submitted 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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I'm pretty sure it's safe to assume that many of you reading this are long time viewers of the Youtube channels Not Just Bikes, Climate Town and probably Adam Something. All three of these channels have mentioned in their videos that car companies lobbied governments and pressured urban planners to create infrastructure suited for cars. So if car companies can throw money at politicians to get legislation passed that suit their needs why can't bike companies counteract by playing at their own game? Hell, shoe companies could 'counter-lobby' as well. Nike, Adidas, New Balance, etc. would benefit greatly from walkable and bikeable cities. So why don't bike companies like Trek, GT and Tern lobby governments to make cities more bikable? They could ask for subsidies so they can open official shops in city centers and with it the promise of employment. I'm pretty there are flaw this approach so I would like to know your thoughts on the matter. Thanks in advance!

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[–] Habahnow 9 points 10 months ago (2 children)

Many people have mentioned good reasons in this thread, but another thing too is that Oil and car companies are still making a bunch of money now, they would and probably continue to lobby against better walking and biking infrastructure. Bike companies would need to get a bunch of support to overcome them.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (1 children)

Very good point. Many here have also mentioned that car companies had the help of oil companies to pressure governments. When thinking of a potential "partner-in-crime" that could help bike companies lobby governments I thought of tire companies. But my dumbass later realized that those same tire companies also work with car companies. I mentioned shoe companies in my post but as @[email protected] mentioned shoe companies could care less if cities are walkable or not. It's a real shame that "big bike" (as @[email protected] puts it) doesn't have an aforementioned "parnter-in-crime" that could help them get more bike infrastructure made. Back to the drawing board.

[–] 768 2 points 10 months ago

Maybe Big Tram...