It’s tragic what happened to urban planning back. I didn’t even consider the design of signage for speed-reading, per se. I get the sense the culture was somehow enamoured with this glamourous transportation, the ability to use as much space for “personal freedom” as they liked, and to no longer feel poor or underprivileged.

I like your “pro-pedestrian” credo as I’m finding myself anti-car. Or perhaps I’m just against the planning that puts it first. My driver’s license will expire in 6 months and I cannot bring myself to get my full, permanent license and I DO NOT want to drive. I feel like I’ve wasted time and money getting it, but it has made me a more wary pedestrian and cyclist. This society puts too much value on the ability to drive — like if you don’t have a license you’re a loser. (Not that I feel like one.) But how many people see it as a privelege and not a right?

I know there are more people out there like Jason. There’s still a huge public to convince. You might be interested in an SFU/UBC lecture called Learning from Toronto on November 26 — I can’t make it, but there may still be a spot for you. Take care, H!