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One of the reasons I love cycling is what it does for cities. I love how people on bikes tend to calm the buzz of traffic. I love how bikes bring a little more humanity to our streets. I love how riding a bike connects us more closely to our communities and neighbourhoods. Cars tend to do the opposite of all of that.

I’ve been closely watching the development of self-driving vehicles for years, mostly with a sense of dread. I’m no futurist, but it’s not a leap to think anything that makes driving easier will make some of our acute urban problems worse. More cars, more congestion, and more demand for limited space.

Still, I’ll refrain from the long-view speculation in favour of the reality facing us right now. Tesla’s Model S isn’t an autonomous vehicle. It still requires an attentive and responsible driver. But being behind the wheel gave me something new to think about.

The car, as a piece of technology, is dazzling. Driving it reminded me of the first time I used an iPhone, equal parts tech-geek-out and baffling magic. It feels like the future. Watch the video above for more on the car, and my rather embarrassing reactions to it (keep in mind, I normally drive a 2008 four-door Toyota with rust spots, and not a luxury vehicle that can run you up to $100,000).

Photo by Gavin Young / Calgary Herald

What lingered on my mind after driving the Tesla (other than my whiplash-induced neck stiffness from the aptly named Ludicrous Speed mode) was the autopilot mode. After I got over the initial buzz at having the car steer itself, the experience felt — and I’m struggling to think of the right word here — civilized. In a less charitable mood, I might even say it was kind of boring. I don’t mean that in a negative way. It may be the saving grace of autopilot.