“Brain small so I car big”. But in all seriousness, I don’t see the reason why these people buy these things. If they want a big car, the minimum requirement should be to have a non poluting engine(which is probably far out). What happened to walking, or bikes and rechargeble scooters? Can I ask you about your state’s(or city’s) infrastructure plans or is it simply super car dependant?
I will say non-automotive transport isn’t really an option for a large portion of US Americans. Basically anyone who doesn’t live within one of a few major cities will need access to a car for at least some of their transit needs.
The average commute in the US is 41 miles each day. This is largely along highways and stroads where cars are traveling 45-65 mph (70-100kph). Unless you have a death wish, walking, biking, and using a scooter isn’t something anyone would do unless there were absolutely no options. If there is bus service (which isn’t a given) it’s usually infrequent (every 1-1.5 hours) and doesn’t take you to where you need to go.
It’s a systemic issue that’s been implemented gradually over a few generations through policy and culture making. It can be reversed but it will take a generation or more to roll it back.
In my home state, the urban areas are trying to build out functioning transit systems, however it’s difficult to get support as so many people think transit “brings the wrong kind of people” (aka poor and black people) to their neighborhood and fight it. But progress is being made. My city is breaking ground on a new BRT line next week.
Then when there is a cohesive project that could work and serve large portions of the state, the state government has killed it because “it only serves the cities and not the rural areas” although it very much is in the best interest of rural communities to have some sort of public transit.
We do have a train that runs service multiple times a day between the two largest cities in our state, with funding secured to expand it further. So that’s a win.
The uphill battle we face in terms of transit is so many people have never experienced how great a functioning transit system is and won’t look at those “socialist areas” (aka NYC, Europe, and parts of Asia) because they believe those places are evil, and if they can’t use their car to get places they’re having their freedom taken away from them.
This is very well written and thoughrow answer, thank you. The average daily comute distance feels absolutely fucking insane to me, no wonder so many people are car dependant.
many people think transit “brings the wrong kind of people” (aka poor and black people) to their neighborhood and fight it.
I hate the system that is implied that opressed people shoud be hated, not the opressors themselves. People living below the means of wealth are the result of a failing system, one that doesn’t cater to the well being of many, but to those of a few. I’ve seen beggars on highways with toddlers(not on the sides on the highway that’s reserved for ambulances and such, but sitting against the wall that divides the ways) and I’d rather see them on public transport than there.
I’m happy for the BRT line, that’s incredible.
I’m also happy for the people that get to experience public transport in these following years. Sure, at peak hours it may seem crowded, but getting fast where you need to be is amazing. I grew up using public transportation and can’t imagine my life without it (as the city was designed to not be insanely large, and driving takes longer than using public transit). I mean, didn’t people used to say in the 1800’s that public roads are socialism and socialism bad ? It’s like the bird who eats a biscuit and experiences bliss for the first time, public transit can be bliss.(and it’s not like people here don’t have cars, it’s just that it’s more convinient and fast to ride the subway for example, and leave cars for longer distance roads, like holiday trips. Using cars only when absolutely needed was ironically driven by lack of parking, existence of potholes, and infernal traffic). You have the freedom to own a car, it’s just that the expenses can render you dry if you don’t absolutely need it and have alternitives.
I’m rooting for you, I learned a lot reading your comment, thank you so much.
And your perspective on transit is exactly why I want to spread the gospel so to speak.
I don’t think most people here are bad for fighting against public transit, I genuinely think they’re misinformed and have never lived anywhere with a functioning transit system.
I want them to see the light! It such a happier existence on my side of the fence and I want to bring everyone I can in to have a party.
I’m generally optimistic, things are shifting, and the younger generations understand much better than their older counterparts the benefits of solid public transit.
I don’t recall the full story, but the reason SUVs and “cars” like this sell big is because they are classified as trucks and do not need to meet the same emission standards as cars. Thus it is cheaper to make and more power.
Hey, sorry for the late reply. I actually work in an adjacent field so I think I’m decently qualified to speak on the infrastructure here. Firstly, I am in one of the larger metropolitan areas of the US. We are completely dependent on cars. We have a couple of train tracks but the pricing, limited destinations, and limited run times kill any chance they have of converting the masses, myself included. We have no plans for more mass transit and no plans to improve current mass transit. While they are making an attempt to make the area more bike friendly, the zoning laws effectively make these changes impossible as places you would typically travel to are too far from your place of residence. These zoning laws don’t appear to be changing anytime soon.
The real problem with my area specifically, but America as a whole is just the vastness. Due to the sheer amount of space we have, there is urban sprawl everywhere. Why live on top of one another when everyone can get a little space and we can destroy all of the beautiful nature around us and pave over paradise?
As a personal anecdote, by American terms I live close to work and VERY close to the grocery store. Store is a 20 minute walk one way and work would take me hours to get to… or I can hop in a car, be at the store in under a minute and to work in 10
Edit: and unfortunately I would love a motorcycle but due to licensing requirements (or lack thereof for motorists) and the appalling infrastructure, it is just too unsafe to justify a motorcycle of any kind.
This is me in Argentina right now. I don’t want to, but houses scarcity is forcing me and lots of others to move fast away from the capitals on search of affordable housing and the lack of transportation from the capital to the suburbs is basically forcing people to buy more expensive as fuck cars
No worries(my reply time is even worse as you can see), thank you for the reply. It feels unreal how far the distance between stuff is, I didn’t think it was that crazy, but the more I learn about this, the more I’m happy I don’t have to deal with this. My only question is how driving fatigue is avoided. And regarding motorcycles, I feel you on that. I personally wouldn’t ride one here because of potholes and unsafe traffic.
But in all seriousness, I get that having space is bliss, but it’s torture to have to drive everywhere.
“Brain small so I car big”. But in all seriousness, I don’t see the reason why these people buy these things. If they want a big car, the minimum requirement should be to have a non poluting engine(which is probably far out). What happened to walking, or bikes and rechargeble scooters? Can I ask you about your state’s(or city’s) infrastructure plans or is it simply super car dependant?
I will say non-automotive transport isn’t really an option for a large portion of US Americans. Basically anyone who doesn’t live within one of a few major cities will need access to a car for at least some of their transit needs.
The average commute in the US is 41 miles each day. This is largely along highways and stroads where cars are traveling 45-65 mph (70-100kph). Unless you have a death wish, walking, biking, and using a scooter isn’t something anyone would do unless there were absolutely no options. If there is bus service (which isn’t a given) it’s usually infrequent (every 1-1.5 hours) and doesn’t take you to where you need to go.
It’s a systemic issue that’s been implemented gradually over a few generations through policy and culture making. It can be reversed but it will take a generation or more to roll it back.
In my home state, the urban areas are trying to build out functioning transit systems, however it’s difficult to get support as so many people think transit “brings the wrong kind of people” (aka poor and black people) to their neighborhood and fight it. But progress is being made. My city is breaking ground on a new BRT line next week.
Then when there is a cohesive project that could work and serve large portions of the state, the state government has killed it because “it only serves the cities and not the rural areas” although it very much is in the best interest of rural communities to have some sort of public transit.
We do have a train that runs service multiple times a day between the two largest cities in our state, with funding secured to expand it further. So that’s a win.
The uphill battle we face in terms of transit is so many people have never experienced how great a functioning transit system is and won’t look at those “socialist areas” (aka NYC, Europe, and parts of Asia) because they believe those places are evil, and if they can’t use their car to get places they’re having their freedom taken away from them.
This is very well written and thoughrow answer, thank you. The average daily comute distance feels absolutely fucking insane to me, no wonder so many people are car dependant.
I hate the system that is implied that opressed people shoud be hated, not the opressors themselves. People living below the means of wealth are the result of a failing system, one that doesn’t cater to the well being of many, but to those of a few. I’ve seen beggars on highways with toddlers(not on the sides on the highway that’s reserved for ambulances and such, but sitting against the wall that divides the ways) and I’d rather see them on public transport than there. I’m happy for the BRT line, that’s incredible. I’m also happy for the people that get to experience public transport in these following years. Sure, at peak hours it may seem crowded, but getting fast where you need to be is amazing. I grew up using public transportation and can’t imagine my life without it (as the city was designed to not be insanely large, and driving takes longer than using public transit). I mean, didn’t people used to say in the 1800’s that public roads are socialism and socialism bad ? It’s like the bird who eats a biscuit and experiences bliss for the first time, public transit can be bliss.(and it’s not like people here don’t have cars, it’s just that it’s more convinient and fast to ride the subway for example, and leave cars for longer distance roads, like holiday trips. Using cars only when absolutely needed was ironically driven by lack of parking, existence of potholes, and infernal traffic). You have the freedom to own a car, it’s just that the expenses can render you dry if you don’t absolutely need it and have alternitives. I’m rooting for you, I learned a lot reading your comment, thank you so much.
And your perspective on transit is exactly why I want to spread the gospel so to speak.
I don’t think most people here are bad for fighting against public transit, I genuinely think they’re misinformed and have never lived anywhere with a functioning transit system.
I want them to see the light! It such a happier existence on my side of the fence and I want to bring everyone I can in to have a party.
I’m generally optimistic, things are shifting, and the younger generations understand much better than their older counterparts the benefits of solid public transit.
I don’t recall the full story, but the reason SUVs and “cars” like this sell big is because they are classified as trucks and do not need to meet the same emission standards as cars. Thus it is cheaper to make and more power.
Hey, sorry for the late reply. I actually work in an adjacent field so I think I’m decently qualified to speak on the infrastructure here. Firstly, I am in one of the larger metropolitan areas of the US. We are completely dependent on cars. We have a couple of train tracks but the pricing, limited destinations, and limited run times kill any chance they have of converting the masses, myself included. We have no plans for more mass transit and no plans to improve current mass transit. While they are making an attempt to make the area more bike friendly, the zoning laws effectively make these changes impossible as places you would typically travel to are too far from your place of residence. These zoning laws don’t appear to be changing anytime soon.
The real problem with my area specifically, but America as a whole is just the vastness. Due to the sheer amount of space we have, there is urban sprawl everywhere. Why live on top of one another when everyone can get a little space and we can destroy all of the beautiful nature around us and pave over paradise?
As a personal anecdote, by American terms I live close to work and VERY close to the grocery store. Store is a 20 minute walk one way and work would take me hours to get to… or I can hop in a car, be at the store in under a minute and to work in 10
Edit: and unfortunately I would love a motorcycle but due to licensing requirements (or lack thereof for motorists) and the appalling infrastructure, it is just too unsafe to justify a motorcycle of any kind.
This is me in Argentina right now. I don’t want to, but houses scarcity is forcing me and lots of others to move fast away from the capitals on search of affordable housing and the lack of transportation from the capital to the suburbs is basically forcing people to buy more expensive as fuck cars
No worries(my reply time is even worse as you can see), thank you for the reply. It feels unreal how far the distance between stuff is, I didn’t think it was that crazy, but the more I learn about this, the more I’m happy I don’t have to deal with this. My only question is how driving fatigue is avoided. And regarding motorcycles, I feel you on that. I personally wouldn’t ride one here because of potholes and unsafe traffic. But in all seriousness, I get that having space is bliss, but it’s torture to have to drive everywhere.