Melbourne's (and Sydney's) public transport hell

Thirty years ago, 63% of Beijingers pedalled to work. Now only 12% do. Many people think that cycling is only for the poor. A dating-show contestant famously quipped in 2010 that she would “rather cry in a BMW than smile on a bike.” I think people in every country (except maybe Germany and northern Europe) think cycling and public transport is for the poor. Article: In China, bikes are back

I can't believe that Melbourne doesn't have an airport rail link and it may not have one for at least another decade or two or three! The population is almost the same as Sydney's and will soon surpass it in another decade or two. Honestly, when it comes to thinking and planning about transport and the future Australia feels like a backward third world country, and also the US where the priority is me me me and stuff everyone else. Let's show everyone how important, special, and 'rich' we are because we own a car. Hey I own a car everyone! Look at me, look at me.. I'm rich! Let's drive everywhere, clog up all the roads, and pollute the air.. I've noticed that many (most?) people (even the majority of my family and friends) have a mentality that if you take public transport you are somehow 'lowly' or 'poor'. And they are way too special to be inconvenienced. I know people think this way from conversations I've had with the...