I’ve been to MA, NY (both upstate and NYC), NJ, MI, OH, KY, TN, MS, LA, AR, TX, IL, WA, OR, CA, and AK. As a Canadian I may have travelled to more states than a good chunk of Americans.
I know some states and cities are allergic to investing in usable public transport. I know most states’ DOT staff only know how to build roads and are pretty clueless at anything else. And I know many people can’t imagine biking or bussing is for anyone other than poor people and people with too many DUIs, but I’ve seen many places where it works, some surprising, where many people live there. So yeah it’s hard for any statement about the US to apply to absolutely everyone, but I think tens of millions could make a car free or car light lifestyle work who don’t currently consider it, and that interest can translate to better attention to car alternatives from local and state authorities.
The most leverage a potential car buyer has in a negotiation is the ability to walk away. So the first step is understanding the alternatives and the potential to save a good fraction of an income from insurance, maintenance and gas costs. The more people understand that and aren’t signing car loans out of desperation, car costs would be lower for every American.
I’ve been to MA, NY (both upstate and NYC), NJ, MI, OH, KY, TN, MS, LA, AR, TX, IL, WA, OR, CA, and AK. As a Canadian I may have travelled to more states than a good chunk of Americans.
I know some states and cities are allergic to investing in usable public transport. I know most states’ DOT staff only know how to build roads and are pretty clueless at anything else. And I know many people can’t imagine biking or bussing is for anyone other than poor people and people with too many DUIs, but I’ve seen many places where it works, some surprising, where many people live there. So yeah it’s hard for any statement about the US to apply to absolutely everyone, but I think tens of millions could make a car free or car light lifestyle work who don’t currently consider it, and that interest can translate to better attention to car alternatives from local and state authorities.
The most leverage a potential car buyer has in a negotiation is the ability to walk away. So the first step is understanding the alternatives and the potential to save a good fraction of an income from insurance, maintenance and gas costs. The more people understand that and aren’t signing car loans out of desperation, car costs would be lower for every American.