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Culture War Roundup for the week of February 6, 2023

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With small children, while holding something heavy and/or cold, and especially while trying to hold something heavy and/or cold with children, yes. When old and feeble, also yes. I barely made it from the car into the library today with a one year old, three year old, and stack of books. My older family members often need to be dropped off at the entrance of the place we're going, since just walking across the parking lot is rather difficult. The two states combined might make up about a quarter of a person's life.

But, yes, a moderately healthy single person living in a European style town will not find walking while carrying things difficult.

I know I'll sound like some asshole for asking, but I don't care: who did you bring two toddlers to a library in the first place?

Holiday crafts, board books, a nice rug they like, stuffed toys, snacks, storytime, free toys. A lot of library events are aimed at toddlers, I assume so that they and their parents have a positive feeling about libraries and physical books. I'd also rather check out kids books than buy a bunch of books they'll outgrow in a couple of months.

But, yes, a moderately healthy single person living in a European style town will not find walking while carrying things difficult.

This reminds me, for all the arguments about "how will disabled/eldery get around without a car" "actually, walkable cities are better for them", a wheelchair user visited the Netherlands, wrote a Twitter thread about her experience, and came to the same conclusion that you did:

Overall, my assessment is this. Amsterdam’s transit system is world-beating…IF you are a young, fit, healthy, non-disabled person who can cycle.

The Netherlands are pointed to a lot in conversations about urban planning and active travel. This is probably why, in my head, I had built Amsterdam up as some sort of mecca for pedestrians, walkability and accessibility.

It was interesting to see the reality.