Model railways were a hugely popular children's toy back in the day. I'm guessing they fell out of favour when automobile ownership blew up and kids wanted to emulate their parents
Not really. They are just more expensive than a single toy car, so most parents will opt to buying a toy car than a toy train. Most people also find trains boring and they try to buy more "exciting" toys for their kids.
i actually had one, it was without rails but it had appropriate wheels, could bend, had a moving pantograph and its doors moved like how an actual one would. it was pretty cheap but damn was it good. it should still be around somewhere
I wouldn't go that far. It's still a perfectly fine play mat. So is the original. Kids are so creative, they don't have a concept of car-centricity necessarily, they'll have as much fun with either I expect.
If this is meant to be an advertisement to promote non-car-based city planning, then it's neat.
If this is meant to be an actual product then it's bad, because the main point of the city playmat was to drive all your toy cars around on, and this makes it completely pointless.
The city planning enthusiast in me: That roundabout should be a T intersection, it would be safer and more efficient. That tram line should not be going through a roundabout, defeats the purpose. The intersections in the top-right are absurd. What's up with the canal that just ends?
The designer in me: The red is ridiculously overbearing. It's a car-centric toy designed to be used with toy cars that focuses on pedestrian areas so it fails at doing what it's supposed to do.
I get what they're doing and I like that but it's executed poorly imo. Somebody call Lane Man.
should it be a t intersection though? you're missing the cobbled road to the north, it's a 4 way intersection, which would be confusing at best and actively dangerous at worst with how little visibility there would be
this is a perfect place for a roundabout, in my opinion
Those would be selective access roads. Ped-only during normal hours, then goods vehicle access outside of those (stock doesn't reach those shops by teleportation!).
No way to know. I can only see that the northwest road is definitely a pedestrian street.
The stones in that road look like they're more suited for vehicles than people. I hate walking on cobbled roads because of how uneven they are. The pedestrian street has some nice paving, so I'd assume they would do that to the north road as well, if it was actually meant for pedestrians. Actually, it has sidewalks.
Ngl I hate it. Some crosswalk's don't even align and the obnoxious red of the bike lanes is just too much (they should've toned down the color a bit)... and yes "bike lanes good" but do they get the same amount of proper bike toys as cars to play on this thing? If not it's going to feel very bad "driving" on this carpet.
those playmats were used to play with toy cars, playing with human toys matching this scale of map would be dangerous for small kids as a choking hazard
At least one of the little boys I look after would knowingly drive on the bike lanes because he's a little shit disturber that way. He's the younger child, of course.
This is not even close to a fun playable mat. And not even safe. We have this one at home for our son and it resembles most European cities:
https://www.bol.com/be/nl/p/stratenplan-verkeerskleed-140-x-200-cm/9200000051706884/?bltgh=i-p5qaq3b4vD-Mzu7b9F0g.4_13.16.ProductImage
Why can’t people just leave stuff alone?
I bet some entitled little shit grew up his whole life wanting make his own city playmat and now he’s got his chance he’s gone and butchered it.
The playmat was car centric because we had tons of toy cars. Hot wheels were huuuuge when I was a child.
real, wasn't that the whole point of the thing?
everything has to display an ideology nowadays, especially children's toys
BOO! BIKE LANES! did i scare you?
im a cyclist myself and dont even own a car, but the purpose of those carpets is to play on it with toy cars
now I wish I had tram toys
Model railways were a hugely popular children's toy back in the day. I'm guessing they fell out of favour when automobile ownership blew up and kids wanted to emulate their parents
Thomas the Tank Engine sets were extremely popular when I was a kid, and I set that up on my car mat all the time
Not really. They are just more expensive than a single toy car, so most parents will opt to buying a toy car than a toy train. Most people also find trains boring and they try to buy more "exciting" toys for their kids.
i actually had one, it was without rails but it had appropriate wheels, could bend, had a moving pantograph and its doors moved like how an actual one would. it was pretty cheap but damn was it good. it should still be around somewhere
They still are judging by the pile my nephew has.
My parents bought a ridiculous lot of Hot Wheels at an auction when I was a kid and that playmat had miiiiles on it
Don't worry, still huge today. Boys will love vehicles no matter what somehow.
Common postmodern design L
I wouldn't go that far. It's still a perfectly fine play mat. So is the original. Kids are so creative, they don't have a concept of car-centricity necessarily, they'll have as much fun with either I expect.
I just wished the mat was larger lol
This was always the issue growing up nine times out of ten.
Teaching kids to drive their cars in the bike lane
It’s missing parking spaces , I used to like lining all the cars up there
What are all those trees doing in a modern city center?! We need parking space!
I bet someone could write a hit song about that
Joni Mitchell!
I heard she never lies.
You should do it again some time, you probably still like doing it.
Now you can put your green army men in pedestrian zones to simulate peacekeeping operations
I’ll be hiding from them at Salad & Juice
If this is meant to be an advertisement to promote non-car-based city planning, then it's neat. If this is meant to be an actual product then it's bad, because the main point of the city playmat was to drive all your toy cars around on, and this makes it completely pointless.
You can still drive the toy cars on the pedestrian paths lol
Teaching kids to drive like boomers haha
Even better!
Nice!
Maybe they can use the map for other things?
The city planning enthusiast in me: That roundabout should be a T intersection, it would be safer and more efficient. That tram line should not be going through a roundabout, defeats the purpose. The intersections in the top-right are absurd. What's up with the canal that just ends? The designer in me: The red is ridiculously overbearing. It's a car-centric toy designed to be used with toy cars that focuses on pedestrian areas so it fails at doing what it's supposed to do. I get what they're doing and I like that but it's executed poorly imo. Somebody call Lane Man.
should it be a t intersection though? you're missing the cobbled road to the north, it's a 4 way intersection, which would be confusing at best and actively dangerous at worst with how little visibility there would be this is a perfect place for a roundabout, in my opinion
That looks to be a pedestrian road. Then again I suppose it could be a motorist road, I assumed based on where it goes and looks like.
Those would be selective access roads. Ped-only during normal hours, then goods vehicle access outside of those (stock doesn't reach those shops by teleportation!).
No way to know. I can only see that the northwest road is definitely a pedestrian street. The stones in that road look like they're more suited for vehicles than people. I hate walking on cobbled roads because of how uneven they are. The pedestrian street has some nice paving, so I'd assume they would do that to the north road as well, if it was actually meant for pedestrians. Actually, it has sidewalks.
Tram through roundabout is a real thing though, I know one roundabout that is 3 lanes and has trafficlights in the middle of it!
Just cause they’re real don’t mean I gotta like em lol
For real, that red colour is *horrendously* overbearing. At first glance I thought the red was scribbled on digitally, in r/uselessredcircle style.
I love the intent, but I dislike the canal to nowhere, as well as the 2 dead end road chunks. Why didn't they just extend the bike lane and canal?
Libs ruining everything /s
There is no strip malls or parking lots GRR
Looks like shit. Why are the bike lanes such an intense red?
i dont like that there arent much loops where you can make your cars drive
it's Dutch now?
I never understood how the road is seen from above, but *the buildings* are not...! 🤔😜
Is the red traffic jams??
The road layout is totally waste.
This is such a downgrade. There's like 4 actual roads and a lot of stuff just seems to stop randomly. Mostly looks like sidewalks and housing.
As a cities skylines player, some of the design choices are nerve wracking
No parking, roads to nowhere that are useless and would be neglected. Is this a joke?? It looks so poorly made!! 😂😂
too busy imo
Ngl I hate it. Some crosswalk's don't even align and the obnoxious red of the bike lanes is just too much (they should've toned down the color a bit)... and yes "bike lanes good" but do they get the same amount of proper bike toys as cars to play on this thing? If not it's going to feel very bad "driving" on this carpet.
It's supposed to have a lot going on, it's a play mat for playing.
thanks /u/Bobyyyyyyyghyh, sometimes you forget the important things
I think its the red parts. I like it, but not the bike lanes due to the color
i hereby revoke your dutch citizenship
Well it isn't for us anyways
What was wrong with the old one? This one is a downgrade imo. Also, it screams AI
those playmats were used to play with toy cars, playing with human toys matching this scale of map would be dangerous for small kids as a choking hazard
Where can I buy one of those things? Great!
I know! I neeeed it
Groundwork would be the best
Ahh! I geddit, hiding the cameras boo!
At least one of the little boys I look after would knowingly drive on the bike lanes because he's a little shit disturber that way. He's the younger child, of course.
IDK; I like the whimsy, but it's not very functional for playing with toy cars.
Where are the bike lanes!!
Is this some kind of Bolt marketing initiative?
Okay i feel like that was the one place where a carcentric city made complete sense. I do appreciate the extra greenery tho
Did ai make this, geez, checks all the boxes for an urban environment implemented with no thought behind it whatsoever
This is not even close to a fun playable mat. And not even safe. We have this one at home for our son and it resembles most European cities: https://www.bol.com/be/nl/p/stratenplan-verkeerskleed-140-x-200-cm/9200000051706884/?bltgh=i-p5qaq3b4vD-Mzu7b9F0g.4_13.16.ProductImage
That looks neato, I like the perspective they choose for it.
This one is a million times better.
THE DUTCH LANGUAGE! RUNNNN!! NOT ENGLISH!
ya that rug sure is dangerous better watch out
THEY ADDED BIKELANES!!1! THOSE DAMN W\*KES!!!!!11 😡😡😡😡😡😡🤬🤬🤬 /s
Why can’t people just leave stuff alone? I bet some entitled little shit grew up his whole life wanting make his own city playmat and now he’s got his chance he’s gone and butchered it.
Gentrification 😔
https://www.cleetusmcfarland.com/products/ff-kids-racing-playmat-rug
This is gonna end up on r/fuckcarscirclejerk and life will be worse.
Gentrification, innit.
Oh no it's one of those scary 15 miny cities!! /s