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The e-scooter isn't new – London was zooming around on Autopeds a century ago

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Re: The e-scooter isn't new – London was zooming around on Autopeds a century ago

#41

Post by Zambyte »

reactordev wrote: post #22
hylaride wrote: post #6

> The e-scooters that clutter up pavements may seem like a new thing, but a hundred years ago, there were already people zooming around London on powered scooters. The problem is that we've given so much space to automobiles that there's no room for anything else (bikes, scooters, etc). Pedestrians have been given a sliver only because drivers need to walk between parking and their destination. This is true even in c…

But this has been true every hundred years or so as technology changes and those that are building infrastructure know nothing else. 2000s : Damn these cars clogging up the road! 1900s : Damn these buggies clogging up the road! 1800s : Damn these carriages clogging up the road! 1700s : Damn these horses clogging up the road! 1600s : Damn these " " " " " 100BC : Damn these romans clogging up the road!

You really think the idea of anything like bumper to bumper traffic existed more than a hundred years ago? Everything before 2000s (though surely car traffic existed in the 1900s) seems like a dramatization.

Re: The e-scooter isn't new – London was zooming around on Autopeds a century ago

#42

Post by observationist »

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autoped

It's interesting that the engines are roughly the same as the 4 stroke china girl engines you can get for bikes and scooters today, a 155cc and 191cc model.

I wonder if it was a weight/size to power tradeoff, or convention that stuck - was there a targeted engineering reason behind the similarity in size, or have enough things stayed similar in the world of standard parts and sizes that we still have roughly the same engine sizes?

Neat article.

Re: The e-scooter isn't new – London was zooming around on Autopeds a century ago

#43

Post by cons0le »

bluescrn wrote: post #20
nickdothutton wrote: post #2

I also like to point out that we had electric powered food delivery services in London from 1932.

And the delivery drivers were probably paid more than they are now…

The food was probably healthier too

Re: The e-scooter isn't new – London was zooming around on Autopeds a century ago

#44

Post by moffkalast »

cons0le wrote: post #35

God every website is such garbage these days. 1 second timer, full page pop up. Geolocation logging to sell to advertisers... I'm just not gonna read the article. It's a shame cause it looks interesting

Oh but don't you want to login with google? Please accept these cookies we need for good reasons we promise. Do you want to chat with our customer bot? Your needs are important to us. Also view this video you need to see right now, with sound on!

Re: The e-scooter isn't new – London was zooming around on Autopeds a century ago

#45

Post by jetrink »

sheepscreek wrote: post #11
hylaride wrote: post #6

> The e-scooters that clutter up pavements may seem like a new thing, but a hundred years ago, there were already people zooming around London on powered scooters. The problem is that we've given so much space to automobiles that there's no room for anything else (bikes, scooters, etc). Pedestrians have been given a sliver only because drivers need to walk between parking and their destination. This is true even in c…

Probably cause modern logistics, especially last mile logistics, is dependent on trucks/delivery vans/etc. So even though folks in a local area might like to walk around, their groceries won’t make it to the stores and packages won’t get to their homes without a robust road network. I think Bacerlona hits a good compromise. The city has the concept of a superblock, which is a few city blocks grouped into one calm zon…

> their groceries won’t make it to the stores and packages won’t get to their homes without a robust road network.

A road network isn't the only solution. In the early 20th century, for example, there was a separate narrow-gauge tunnel network beneath Chicago dedicated to freight. Deliveries were made directly to businesses via subbasements or elevator shafts. The network had stations at rail and ship terminals for accepting freight arriving from outside the city. At its height in 1929, the network had 150 locomotives pulling 10 to 15 cars per train.

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Tunnel_Company

Re: The e-scooter isn't new – London was zooming around on Autopeds a century ago

#46

Post by tim333 »

bluescrn wrote: post #19
ajb wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

London is edging in that direction with the introduction of "low traffic neighbourhoods". Basically this involves preventing vehicles using them as a through route, by limiting some connections to only emergency vehicles. The problem is that it's also annoying for residents as it means the allowed entry/exit routes aren't necessarily in the direction you need to go. Does Barcelona have a smarter method?

LTNs and pedestrianised areas are great for criminals on illegal high-powered e-bikes. Purpose-built getaway routes.

I'm not that convinced pedestrianised areas make it easier for them. At least you can spot the thieves if bikes are not supposed to be there.

Re: The e-scooter isn't new – London was zooming around on Autopeds a century ago

#47

Post by echelon »

hylaride wrote: post #6

> The e-scooters that clutter up pavements may seem like a new thing, but a hundred years ago, there were already people zooming around London on powered scooters. The problem is that we've given so much space to automobiles that there's no room for anything else (bikes, scooters, etc). Pedestrians have been given a sliver only because drivers need to walk between parking and their destination. This is true even in c…

Despite city dwellers hating on cars and wanting complete streets, cars are poised to win even bigger when self driving becomes widespread.

Our roads and highways will metamorphose into logistics corridors and optimal public transit systems.

Everything will be delivered same hour. The cost of this will drop and entire new business models will be built on top of the "direct to you" model.

Self-driving cars will replace public transit. They connect every destination on demand. Short hops, cross-country long-haul. Waymo alikes will become cheaper than the city bus.

Van life will accelerate. People will live in their automated vans and SUVs. They'll become luxury and status items for knowledge workers who are constantly conveying themselves coast to coast, from cozy fire pits by the sea to hidden mountain getaways. Life in America will become one of constant travel, because we can take our life with us without lifting a finger. People will have large home bases in the affordable suburbs - possibly one on each coast. They'll wine and dine in the city, then be off to hike the next day.

Life will turn into adventure and it'll be accessible to almost everyone. Rich, poor. Young, old. Busy, retired.

Nobody will lift a finger for any of this.

We're going to want more roads.

Bikes don't stand a chance. They're inequitable. Old people, pregnant people, sick people, and children are all left out. They suck in the rain and the snow. You can't move anything of size or scale.

Automated self driving cars will win.

Re: The e-scooter isn't new – London was zooming around on Autopeds a century ago

#48

Post by ndsipa_pomu »

Zambyte wrote: post #41
reactordev wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But this has been true every hundred years or so as technology changes and those that are building infrastructure know nothing else. 2000s : Damn these cars clogging up the road! 1900s : Damn these buggies clogging up the road! 1800s : Damn these carriages clogging up the road! 1700s : Damn these horses clogging up the road! 1600s : Damn these " " " " " 100BC : Damn these romans clogging up the road!

You really think the idea of anything like bumper to bumper traffic existed more than a hundred years ago? Everything before 2000s (though surely car traffic existed in the 1900s) seems like a dramatization.

The number of horses in London was causing problems at the end of the 19th century - they don't scale well when you need to provide stables, food and of course leave piles of dung everywhere.

Re: The e-scooter isn't new – London was zooming around on Autopeds a century ago

#49

Post by jamiek88 »

h2zizzle wrote: post #34
sheepscreek wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Probably cause modern logistics, especially last mile logistics, is dependent on trucks/delivery vans/etc. So even though folks in a local area might like to walk around, their groceries won’t make it to the stores and packages won’t get to their homes without a robust road network. I think Bacerlona hits a good compromise. The city has the concept of a superblock, which is a few city blocks grouped into one calm zon…

Smaller trucks. Japan makes due with one-lane alleys. (Not one in each direction. One. Deliveries and vehicular traffic are so uncommon, and the tightness of the space so inconducive to speeding, that it's safe for trucks and cars to go down them in whichever direction they need to.)

Makes do not due. A common error that seems to be increasing.

Re: The e-scooter isn't new – London was zooming around on Autopeds a century ago

#50

Post by tim333 »

hylaride wrote: post #6

> The e-scooters that clutter up pavements may seem like a new thing, but a hundred years ago, there were already people zooming around London on powered scooters. The problem is that we've given so much space to automobiles that there's no room for anything else (bikes, scooters, etc). Pedestrians have been given a sliver only because drivers need to walk between parking and their destination. This is true even in c…

In central London the cars are restricted quite a bit. In places like Soho and Oxford St they are more cluttered with pedestrians than cars.
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