Cars are loud

I was in the City of Salzburg the day writing this article. I went from the main station to the river Salzach. Reaching the shore, I recognized something.

It was silent.

Of course, not completely silent because there were quite a few people around, but noticeable more silent.

Why?

Because there were no cars. And cars are loud, cities aren’t.

Cars are loud, cities aren’t

It was not the first time I realized that cars are loud. Thanks to Not Just Bikes and his video “Cities aren’t loud, cars are” I knew that already.

Experiencing it first hand is something different.

That’s the way to make more people sensitive to this topic. Let them experience how silent and beautiful their city is when there are no cars.

More party fewer cars

Make the neighborhood car-free for the weekend or even a whole week.

Let’s have a block party or take advantage of events that need to block streets, like a marathon, for example.

The route of Vienna City Marathon is near my home. Every year I enjoy the silence. Although I have to admit, the sound of the thousands feet reminds me always of the sound of soldiers marching in war movies.

But the spectators and maybe even the runners don’t realize how much better the city is without cars. Because they do not focus on that.

Car-blind

They are normal people and not freaks like me. Everywhere I go I see bad infrastructure, bad modes of transportation. I have been orange pilled.

That’s what we have to do with all the people.

Most of them are car-blind. Meaning, they don’t recognize cars anymore. They are everywhere, and the brain filters them out. Otherwise, they would get crazy. Like I do.

That’s why we need information desks and people at the block party who point at the obvious, that the people can’t see and hear. The beauty and silence of car-free cities.

It’s obvious

I already wrote an article about how bad cars are for society. I made even apodcast episode. Why do I write another article?

Well, first because you seem to like the topic. And second people don’t see the problem.

I want to point out the obvious. Cars are loud.

It may be difficult for you to block a street for the motorized individual traffic. But your city may have a pedestrianized area. If not, go to a city nearby. If there is still no pedestrian zone. Move. Where the hell do you live?

Yes, I am a privileged white European urban male.

Listen yourself

When you find a car-free area. Listen aware.

When you are back in car hell, listen again. You do not have to be aware. Once you realized and experienced the sound of a car-free city, the noise of car-infested city will punch you in the ear.

You will never be able to unhear it. Cars are loud.

And while this sucks for you, it is really an advantage for our movement to change the system.

It’s the most effective way to show people, how much better life can be.

Experience for the five senses

Because it is not only the sound. The city looks better without cars, smells better, feels better. I don’t know if it tastes better, I didn’t lick the ground, but I guess so. Except if there is dog poop everywhere.

Traffic is one of the biggest issues in our current system.

The difference to the other big issues is, you can experience it directly in the city. Agriculture, industry, energy production and even air traffic are far away. Out of sight, out of mind.

But cars are there. Everywhere. And cars are loud.

That makes it easier to address and change.

Cities for people not cars

Cities are still planned around cars.

I am part of a group trying to make the city more people-friendly. But it is difficult to do because politicians deny every proposal with the argument, cars have to be able to drive there.

It’s not you the citizen who is entitled to walk, cycle, stand or sit there. It’s for cars only.

We have to change this mindset. So take people with you and let them experience the sound of the silent city.

Again, the silent city is not completely silent. You will hear people walking, talking, laughing, maybe even a bird. And yes, there will be annoying noises like trolley cases, drunk and/or yelling people and people listen to music via their phone speakers.

But these are the sounds of a living city for people and not an asphalt desert for cars.

And it is not permanent disturbing noise.

Cars are loud.

And now 12 hours of city sounds.