The article interviews a family with kids and a car-free area is a great location for an elderly person who can still take care of themselves other than driving (many elderly people end up driving well after it is no longer safe.)
Granny trikes acquired the name for a reason. It seems like 40 years ago old people were far more likely to do the car-free / car-light lifestyle than younger people.
My grandparents lived within walking distance to grocery stores, supermarkets, friends, and restaurants; they continued to walk to those places well within their 80s. It kept them mobile, healthy, and part of the community; probably more so than their children (my parents), who are trapped in their suburban homes and have nowhere to walk to, even if it was socially acceptable.
A lot of the elderly become weak and fragile due to lack of exercise, not due to age. Now we expect them to drive everywhere with failing eyesight, slow reflexes, and questionable judgement, with unfortunate results.
