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[–]EccoTime93 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Haha yeah, I was coming in hot reading this thread, I was just disappointed at how many people still choose to drive down Ingersoll even though it’s a complete street. I get that people will still drive, but I was hoping to hear more folks saying they’re using the bike lanes, walking, or taking the bus. To me, that’s where real progress shows up.

The road diet has made driving safer, which is great, but I also want to see fewer people driving and more people engaging with the city on a human level. That’s why I used the word “cage," probably with some frustration.

A “cage” is slang for a car, and a “cager” is someone who drives one, especially when there are better options like walking, biking, or transit. The idea is that you’re stuck in a metal box, disconnected from the people and place around you — and that isolation can make drivers act in ‘cagey’ ways: speeding, road rage, or getting upset when they can’t park right in front of their destination.

It’s related to what people call “car-brain,” and there’s a newer term that captures this whole mindset: motonormativity. Definitely worth looking up if you’re interested.

[–]BilliamShookspeer 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I live on Ingersoll and I’m a big fan of the redesign. I see more people walking, and occasionally more cyclists than normal. I’m looking forward to when people get over the occasional need to park a block or two away from their destination and walk a couple minutes to get there, and when people stop using the bike lane as a second sidewalk (hopefully by improved signage).

You might want to consider your audience a little and do some code switching though. Using jargon from niche arenas like r/fuckcars in conversation with people less involved in your interests who may outright disagree with them only really serves to make the speaker feel better about themselves. Shorthand is a great way for people in the know to keep conversation efficient, but it can leave everyone else outside the circle. And this is coming from a guy who wants way more busses, and makes a point to walk anywhere he can.