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Comment by jernfrost | Hacker News Reader

This is not just about personal choices though but also about how society is structured. E.g. when I lived in the US I found it hard to be healthy other than going to the gym because there was little opportunity for natural exercise as all of society is built around car usage and consumption of fast-food.

In contrast when I lived in the Netherlands I found it VERY easy to be healthy. Life is organized around biking there: it is safe, easy and convenient to do. I probably biked around 1 hour every day, just from doing errands, meeting friends, going to university etc.

If I wanted to grab some food, there was usually a lot more healthy options available. E.g. even in tiny stores in the Netherlands they have great vegetarian options.

A lot of this is not stuff as an individual you can decide on. It depends on zoning laws, building of bike lanes and a multitude of policies and traditions you cannon easily change without collective action.

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I heard that in many places in the US walking somewhere - especially at night - is considered suspicious and one risks being approached by police.

It’s suspicious because it’s generally dangerous to walk around alone at night in large cities.

It also depends on the area, though. And I would also say just because you’re approached by the police doesn’t mean you’re being suspicious. I’ve been pulled over by police before just because they wanted to let me know it was a dangerous area (I wasn’t from the area).

Edit: I really hope that downvote came from a European or non-American. /s

As an American (and been here my entire life), what I posted above is very accurate to what I have observed.

Maybe in other parts of the country it’s different but in the cities I’m most intimate with (Atlanta, Memphis, Jackson), this is definitely the case.

This is very accurate. I've been approached by police twice in Miami, letting me know that I am entering a dangerous nieghbourhood - which I thought it was the city center.

Another time they didn't let me drive further, when they saw that we were a bunch of clueless europeans.

So the no-go zones are actually in the US not in Europe ?

This only applies to cities where walking isn't a default way to get around. Walking around most parts of NYC is perfectly safe at night in part because the presence of other pedestrians deters crime.

"It’s suspicious because it’s generally dangerous to walk around alone at night in large cities."

I didn't downvote you, though I thought your comment really needed a citation.

However, it's also probably true, given how often people are killed by drivers at night. It depends on a lot on the city. Similarly the suburbs are pretty dangerous when you consider road deaths and not just violent crime (though in places with presumed liability, operating your car unsafely _is_ a crime).

When I lived in Santa Monica walking across Wilshire blvd. at night was especially dangerous (25 mph limit but people routinely went 45mph+), and pedestrians were (and are) killed on a regular basis. My understanding is at least one of the cities you named (Atlanta) is considered a poster child in how to design a city to be dangerous for walking.

However, if you've walked in Amsterdam, Copenhagen, etc. at night you'll know a large city can be a lovely place for a night stroll.

I am an American who has lived in the EU for 6 years, fwiw.

It depends on whether you look like you “don’t belong in the area”.

Not because of the police, I've never heard that. Just because it could be unsafe in some cities and areas.

It depends where you are walking if you want a realistic answer. Lots of people walk around denser areas at night with commercial stores/nightlife and residential areas near transportation. Walking around the suburbs when it’s 12am and there is nothing open is probably going to raise suspicions because it’s uncommon and there’s not many places to walk home from other than a friend’s house. (Not to mention it’s dangerous with all the people speeding/not paying attention to the roads when less cars out at night). IMO, I would say the more empty an area is the more suspicious it would be to walk around at night. There’s legitimate reasons to walk around at night like going for a stroll or walking a dog, but for the most part police would stop you to let you know “you do know this is risky?” and let you go on your way as long as you don’t seem like you are planning some criminal activity or acting erratically. Plus, it lessens their chances of having to go help someone out of trouble if they just advise that person reevaluate their decision.

I have biked to university here in Denmark, and while it might be nice in the summer, it is not something I ever want to do again in winter. Instead of having two fairly broad sets of wheels I now have two thin ones and a much higher center of gravity...

B-but how does one bike to work and not smell the whole day?

Biking is much more efficient than walking. You’re not racing places, you’re cruising at a comfortable pace

It works better if your workplace has a fitness center with showers. But if not, see if there is a gym nearby that you can join just for the shower usage. You can also leave an extra half hour for your journey, and not work as hard at it. Also, wiping down with alcohol wipes before your journey can prevent bacteria which avoids the smell funk (along with putting your work clothes in your saddle bag, and changing out of your cycling gear once you get to work).

If you workout frequently enough and build your endurance you perspire less given its not scorching hot outside.

Walking 30 minutes per day 5 days per week and losing 15 lbs (for an adult male) lessens the likelihood of a pre-diabetic person becoming diabetic by 60%.

In NYC where I live which has subways with stations that mostly do not have escalators people are constantly walking and walking up and down stairs as part of their daily activity.

During the hours long rush-hours it is also much faster taking subways than automobiles (e.g 15 mins instead of 45 mins).

Cities can be designed as NYC so that there is plenty of walking and stair climbing as part of the daily activity.

There are also plenty of Citibikes (cheap rentable bicycles) and bike lanes.

isn't biking quite sedentary activity?

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