Perhaps cities shouldn’t be subject to the desires of people outside of them? I don’t understand why the needs and whims of people who live in suburbs should be catered for by the people who live in cities.

Let the suburbanites drive to their big box stores and shopping malls - the urbanites can enjoy the quality of life provided by walkable dense living enabled through removing cars.

Note: I live in a suburb as I say this.

Is that a huge problem on the Paris metro? I haven't ridden it in years, so I'm sadly lacking in practical experience. I know it's a major issue over here in the States, though. Similarly, it's difficult to justify biking around in the states, too, because so many metro areas have angle grinder-wielding crazies cruising around, looking for fresh bikes to steal. Hopefully Paris has solved some of that issue.

Admittedly it has been a while since I've been in Paris but as far as I know the city does not have an above average problem with homelessness or mental health, particularly in its metro system. I know it's a huge problem in the U.S., though, so maybe you are confusing the two contexts.

Paris also has a substantial bus system and the article highlights the opportunities created for biking. So even if the metro would have problems, many people can rely on other modes of transport.