The biggest reason the US doesn’t have public restrooms is our horrible views on funding public facilities. That is the main reason restroom requirement gets pushed onto businesses to avoid complaints about their tax dollars being spent on poor people having basic necessities.

The second biggest reason is sprawl. Densly packed businesses like indoor and outdoor malls have bathrooms separate from the businesses because they can be in walking distance. Sure, the cost is still supported by the business, but the feasibility exists because of the close proximity of the businesses. Public restrooms would be implemebted far differently in places where there are large, single business building separated by massive parking lots as is common in the midwest. I guess people could drive to the restroom like they have to for businesses, but it would require more parking and just be awkward. Not to mention residential areas, do they need bathooms for joggers and bicyclists? What is the scope?

Our larger parks near lakes aroubd here generally have restrooms that are paid through taxes for campers and other visitors. Implementing the same thing in urban and suburban area is appealing, although making businesses offer thr space is pretty convenient for our car centered culture.

Just going for conversation, as I do think we should have more public benefits paid by taxes but acknowledge that our layout makes it a bit awkward compared to most of Europe. We could reduce the sprawl of course…