As opposed to the Roman highways, which only of direct benefit to the Equestrian and Senatorial classes? The only thing different is the common man can afford to travel whereas in Roman times it was restricted to the Senatorial and prosperous Equestrian class. I've certainly never read anything about Roman nobility taking the moral high ground slogging through the mud off the side of the highway. Quite the opposite. In cities, vehicles (man or horse powered) were often prohibited during the day in deference to foot traffic.

What alternatives are lost? In the suburbs? That's a joke, those were always car dependent. In Toronto? Seriously? You have less public transit available today than you did ten years ago? Or is it that your expectation of having a personal 40,000 livery vehicle stop on your block every 15 minutes in case you might need to go somewhere isn't being met? Wah Wah too expensive is all I hear. The road the bus drives on is too expensive. The cars are too expensive. But you expect to have hundred thousand dollar plus buses which get 4 mpg driving around at your beck and call? In the suburbs? Why? Cars are more efficient, cheaper, and better for the environment than a bunch of empty buses running to your door. Get a bicycle. Use your two good feet. Chose to live on a bus line that fits your needs. Exercise some self-reliance as opposed to being a parasitic nincompoop expecting papa government to solve your transportation for you.