A World Where Cars Lack Efficient Personal Mobility

The stubborn car culture rooted in American suburbanism does not have to be fought; eventually, through successful examples and experiments, the automobile will be viewed as a valued commodity in certain situations, rather than a ubiquitous solution.

1 minute read

January 1, 2006, 11:00 AM PST

By David Gest

"[H]umans have an innate urge to increase their personal mobility, which cannot be deterred no matter how alarming statistics about traffic fatalities or global warming look. A world offering more car-free places will only happen when people come to realize that automobiles actually stand in the way of greater mobility and a better life."

"Following in the footsteps (rather than the tire tracks) of Rome and Madrid and London, I believe people in Eastern Europe and Asia and someday even North America -- where car culture was born and remains stubbornly embedded -- will eventually discover an important truth: The auto is at its best and its most useful as just one of many ways to get around."

Thanks to Paul Kim

FULL STORY: Car Trouble

Thursday, December 29, 2005 in AlterNet

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