With impeccable timing, On Line Opinion has released a short article by Dr Rob Moodie entitled "Car Madness!". His views couldn't be further from those of Miranda Devine and he provides a perfect balance to the load of drivel she delivered this morning:
I drive a car, use public transport, cycle and walk. However, I still think I drive too often and donít use public transport enough. And at the same time it is harder to find time to get the daily exercise I need.
Over the last 50 years car ownership in Australia has increased sixfold while car companies have become the biggest advertisers. As the size of our cities has increased we have made enormous investments in our roads, but funding for public transport, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure has literally come off the rails. Given this, it is not terribly surprising that we have become so dependent on cars.
In Victoria, since 1970, car transport to and from primary and secondary schools has increased from 15 per cent to 60 per cent, while walking has dropped from 50 per cent to 20 per cent. And bus, tram and cycling have all declined. Consequently, our roads are increasingly clogged. But I still drive, and I get more and more agitated when, inevitably, I am held up in the traffic.
Being CEO of the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (aka VicHealth) methinks he knows whereof he speaks — and considerably more so then Miranda Diatribe Devine.
Give it a look. As Slammin' Sam would say: you know it makes sense.