Identifying Flaws in Urban Planning Argument

In a city known for its high rate of bicycle commuting, an urban planner proposed to construct more bike paths. He argues that this will encourage even more residents to ride their bikes instead of driving cars. He believes that increasing the number of bike paths will directly lead to a decrease in traffic congestion and improve air quality.

However, some city officials are skeptical of this proposal. They point out that many of the city’s residents already own bikes but still choose to drive. They argue that simply adding bike paths will not change commuting habits unless the underlying issues, such as long commute times or lack of public safety, are addressed.