I habitually listen to the ABC.

I hear stories like ones about driving in a luxury car. The stories are about the joy and fun and delight of driving in a luxury car. The reporter regales about the pleasure of travelling in a beautiful car. What joy.

I hear another story about an old person who manages to get her licence. She is now free. She can drive anywhere any time.  She has control of her life. The story said that a car and driving licence equals freedom.

Another story about a guy who managed to get a local bus to pick him up. The story is about a young guy achieving something. By writing to people who could achieve something. Not about the luxury of sitting in the comfort of an air-conditioned bus. Instead of walking in the natural, fresh open air.

One day, on the afternoon show, the topic for the day was pedestrian crossings: A jam of car drivers rang up and complained about pedestrians. Many examples of pedestrians behaving badly. They gave me many ideas on ways in which I could behave badly.

Not one pedestrian ran up and said: Our cities are planned around cars, roads and carparks. Walkers have a small window of access to the car’s roads. Be happy to share your road.

My conclusion is the media reflects and follows a society which loves cars and hates walking. If you walk you a loser. Homeless, carless and unfortunate.  Please note the words carless and careless are not synonymous

There is no money in walking. There is money in of cars and bicycles. They are both represented by organisations. No organisation for city walkers. Nobody to represent people who walk to the local shop, walk to school or walk to work. Society and the media can ignore those losers.

Meanwhile back in the real world, people continue to give me a lift and say: I will give you a lift so you won’t have to walk.  The implication is walking is bad. Riding in a car is good.

And the second thing they often say is: You don’t have to walk; you can ride a bike or a scouter. In other words, you can get wheels to prevent the ignominy of walking.

I am not negative about people who find happiness sitting above revolving wheels. I find pleasure in walking in nature and listening to the ABC. Others can find their own way to the mountain top.