It takes a really, really prolonged inversion later to trigger a spare the air day from just smog. That alone is fairly rair. Bigger culprates are BBQ's and fireplaces. By far, the #1 trigger is wildfires. That was the first spare the air month I've experienced!

Gotta apologize on my previous comment. I think I misread what you said. My reply doesn't really make sense anymore now that I re-read the context.

Long ago my city made all public transit free on spare the air days. (Days where particulate concentrations were predicted to be high) I do miss those, they were actually kinda fun. I would like them to come back someday.

Its easy to disagree with information that is wrong.

You can listen to sounds at 70 dBA or lower for as long as you want. Sounds at 85 dBA can lead to hearing loss if you listen to them for more than 8 hours at a time. Source

As I mentioned in my previous post about the subject, "Noise pollution" is (according to that article) defined as "unwanted" sounds, not dangerous. The "harmful" part, as it turned out, were simply distractions.

Your article doesn't define what they consider noise pollution nor any dangers ambient sound may cause. Before you claim any "danger to health", you need to define what qualifies because we are both using these words very differently.

You know, back before the car, humanity congregated around ports and railroad stations too, right? It's kinda human nature.

"Discourage from ownership" sort of means stop. It's hard to drive what I don't own.

And talking subsidies, my city burns through $150 million annually to build out 400+ miles of bike lanes that 3% of the population use. (Actual stats published by the city)

People like me who had to drive may have open roads again, but understand when you try to pinch casual drivers, you got us too. And a lot of us are hurting really bad. I have friends in flooring, windows, and electrical. 2 have retired, one is accepting they will have to work until they die. It's harsh on this side, getting worse, and no one is talking about it.

This policy can't reduce casual vehicle use without harming workers.

Ahhh ok, because you asked so nicely.

Nothing in the article mentions sound levels in the dangerous range.

In fact, it can be sumed up with "This just in, traffic can be heard! More at 11!

Around 100 million people are exposed to road traffic noise above 55 dB

Drumroll Leeeeeeets check the charts!

It basically says traffic can be heard in the distance.

Dude, I already tore a similar article a new one weeks ago.

If it's anything like the last article, they cherry picked data and exaggerated results.......

See if this applies: linky

Ohh ... Turtle is done laying eggs and running away! Got to go!

What would be the best ways to discourage people from owning personal cars?

We literally don't. No-one is out to stop you from driving as a hobby.

Um, yes?

As a former sound engineer, I am well aware of the dangers of volume and exposure limits.

If a liesurly drive way in the mountains gives you hearing damage, your bigger concern is why you're being dragged behind a car.

There are times and places for high density cities, and there are times and places for rural living. There is no one-size-fits-all approach here.

Today, I made a makeshift bahn mi burger for dinner. I snagged a French roll and a carrot from the store. I bbq'd a steak burger with Vietnamese marinade and added cucumber, Thai basil, mint, and cilantro that I grew in my garden. Also slapped together a quick salad with tomatoes, peas, and more cucumber also from my garden.

My hobbies are hiking, camping, and backpacking. Right now, I am sitting under two absolutely massive 10' sunflowers watching my pet turtle bury a clutch of eggs.

You have this impression I'm somesort of eco-terrorist because I like to drive. I know sustainable, I love to grow my own food, I'm aware of my footprint.

But I am all for sprawl and not because I drive. I rent so this will all go away someday because I can't afford to buy a $1.2 million 2-bedroom starter home or a high density concrete box.

So yeah, my choices are the fringes. Public transport (and bicycling) are going to be sketchy.

My job up until last year was home repair (not going to get too specific because this is the internet) and I did need a truck full of tools. That was my employment; my income.

Changing city policies harmed blue collar workers like me making it difficult to travel between worksites. Every major road to my residence has engineered in congestion as a means of traffic control whether it was appropriate or not. Time is money and being unable to fill one or two appointments daily due to lost time was devastating.

I have a local public transit card I use. It's great for going to popular destinations like sports, restaurants, and zoos. It is not great to visit friends and family. For that, I use a car (plus I almost always have a passenger) and save money and time.

This is why a culture war is forming between bikers and drivers.

It's not just reallocation of resources, you are actively plotting to disrupt a means of income, safety, or accessibility for the majority.

Biking and public transit are very valid modes of transportation and for some journeys, practical. News flash, I use them too. The same goes for vehicles.

What isn't necessary for you, may be for someone else. That's a fact lots of folks here don't want to acknowledge.

So to answer your question, make something better, faster, cheaper than cars and people will come. But if your recipe for success is making a working system suck bad enough public transport looks good, everybody loses.

I don't have a massive truck and my 20yo Honda is no status symbol, but I love the act of driving and the skills I've developed over my lifetime. It's freeing, relaxing, and I find a meditative quality and peace when I drive in the mountains. You want to take that away. Now imagine if bikes were taxed and licensed... Not so fun now.

We have to work together in a community. I'm tired of fractions picking fights.

You want to discourage people from buying cars? Then don't buy one. Be the example you seek. But for heavens sake, don't be a jerk to others.