The car as the ultimate American icon, as represented in literature, cinema and all types of media, seems to be on its way out. And that’s a good thing, too.
Transportation is one of the biggest sources of emissions in the world, and a lifestyle based on cars is not healthy for environment. And not for people either, since it leads to a sedentary lifestyle.
So, it was with a smile on our green faces that we read that young Americans are replacing the car with public transport and bicycles. According to a recent New York Times article, since 1983 the number of 18-year-olds who own a driver’s license has decreased from 80 to 61 percent. Also mileage per person is below the historic peak by almost 9 percent.
The recession helps, but the exodus back to city centers, improvements in light rail connections, costs of parking space, bike sharing schemes, etc have played a role in convincing a new generation of Americans to get out of cars and into the world.
This is great news because it signals a change in behavior and this is when things really take off.
(Via The Daily Beast)
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