Originally Posted by carless
Education and well.... guts. Thats what makes this forum so important. There are no commercials, there is no media image, there is no support or infrastructure, and it is debateable that bicycle commuters exist over 1% in most communities. There is no profit in car-free people. If you think about it, it resembles a cult. If everybody went car-free the nation would be in a freefall. One-third of all jobs depend on automobiles, The American Dream is a suburb in a cul-de-sac with a 2 car garage. Most zoning boards, city councils, and government have automobile ties. Your neighborhood was designed for cars. Your son's are normal in a car dominated cuture- all their friends parents have cars, as do most people. I repeat, read and learn about cars and people and the result. Don't worry about your son's totally understandable reaction, but learn why 49% of cities are crossed with dangerous high speed path's.
You make it sound like being carfree is a struggle. For me, it's a fun and interesting way to get around the city (and countryside), especially when bikes are involved.