Charles Komanoff discusses the influence of philosopher Ivan Illich on modern cycling and transportation advocacy, particularly regarding speed limits for e-bikes. Illich, known for his critiques of industrial culture, established the idea that higher speeds in transit create remoteness and result in a loss of community connection. His principle of 15 miles per hour posits a balance between accessibility and urban community engagement. Komanoff emphasizes the importance of considering these insights while addressing current transportation policies in New York City, particularly as Mayor Adams looks to implement new speed regulations for e-bikes.
Illich's aphorism: "Beyond a certain speed, motorized vehicles create remoteness which they alone can shrink." This insight challenges the illusion of efficiency provided by high-speed travel.
His early-1970s volume Energy and Equity bestowed on emergent urban cyclists a new vocabulary for contemplating cars, distances, and bicycles, emphasizing the balance of speed and community.
Fifty years on, Illich's 15 mph benchmark speaks to our city's e-bike drama, highlighting how higher speeds can lead to disconnection rather than efficiency.
Travel at 15 mph is positioned as a means of maintaining community engagement, whereas faster speeds create challenges related to resource allocation and road space.
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