Serge Schmemann: 'What Paris has done right is to make it awful to get around by car and awfully easy to get around by public transportation or by bike.'

What Paris has done right is to make it awful to get around by car and awfully easy to get around by public transportation or by bike.

The quote by Serge Schmemann, "What Paris has done right is to make it awful to get around by car and awfully easy to get around by public transportation or by bike," encapsulates the city's deliberate efforts to discourage car usage and promote alternative modes of transportation. It praises the city's commitment to prioritizing public transportation and cycling as convenient and efficient modes of getting around the bustling metropolis. This approach reflects a broader shift in urban planning towards sustainable transportation options that prioritize the environment, public health, and livability.Paris's decision to make it difficult to navigate the city by car has proven to be a masterstroke. With its narrow, winding streets and heavy traffic congestion, driving in Paris can be an overwhelming and frustrating experience for residents and visitors alike. By making the experience unpleasant, the city has effectively deterred car usage and encouraged people to explore other transportation options.On the other hand, Paris has made it refreshingly easy to get around by public transportation and by bike. With an extensive metro system and numerous bus routes, Paris boasts a convenient and efficient public transportation network. This encourages residents and visitors alike to opt for eco-friendly alternatives, thereby reducing congestion, air pollution, and carbon emissions. Moreover, the city's efforts to expand its bike-sharing program, introduce dedicated bike lanes, and create a bike-friendly environment have made cycling an attractive and safe option for getting around.But beyond the practical implications of Paris's transportation policies, this quote also raises an interesting philosophical concept – the idea that deliberately making things difficult can sometimes be the key to progress. It challenges our conventional understanding that ease and convenience are always desirable. Paris's decision to make it awful to get around by car prompts us to question our attachment to personal vehicles and consider the impacts of our transportation choices on the environment and society.This unconventional approach aligns with certain philosophical schools of thought, such as Stoicism. Stoicism advocates for embracing discomfort as a means to cultivate resilience, virtue, and personal growth. By making it challenging to use cars in the city, Paris challenges its residents to adapt, to find alternative solutions, and to embrace a more environmentally conscious lifestyle.Additionally, the quote also brings to mind the concept of the paradox of choice. Barry Schwartz, a psychologist, argues that the abundance of choices in our modern society often leads to decision paralysis and dissatisfaction. By intentionally limiting the choice to use cars in Paris, the city simplifies the decision-making process and nudges people towards sustainable alternatives, reducing the cognitive burden of choosing the "right" mode of transportation.In conclusion, the quote by Serge Schmemann aptly captures Paris's successful efforts to discourage car usage and promote public transportation and cycling. Paris's decision to make it awful to get around by car while simultaneously making it easy to use alternative modes of transport reflects a forward-thinking approach to urban planning. Moreover, it challenges conventional notions of convenience and prompts us to consider the wider philosophical implications of deliberately making things difficult to promote progress and sustainability. By embracing discomfort and reducing choices, Paris showcases its commitment to creating a city that is not only livable but also environmentally friendly and future-oriented.