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I think it's also worth considering that American cities are themselves broken. Americans driving everywhere (and increasingly driving further everywhere) is a
by roc 17y ago
I think it's also worth considering that American cities are themselves broken.
Americans driving everywhere (and increasingly driving further everywhere) is a problem larger than just an analysis of where we live and work. I'd love to see a study like this that also factors in how long we're spending to get to stores, restaurants, schools, entertainment, etc.
It's quite likely that the Bus Buddies from the article aren't only burning 15-20 hours a week commuting to work, but more like 25-30 hours a week commuting in general. To the store, to a ball game, to a kid's recital, to a park, to a bike trail, etc.
- code_duck 17y agoIndeed, broken by design. It's not just a myth that GM/Ford/Oil Companies killed streetcars and public transportation. They really did do their best to create the suburbs/commute/'MUST drive everywhere' layout to benefit their businesses. Unfortunately, it worked.
- bmj 17y agoI wish I could mod this up more. As I've gotten older, I find I avoid using our vehicle more and more (I commute the 12 mile round trip to my office on my bike year 'round). Sitting in traffic in a car seems like a massive waste of my time (and my family's). Of course, I am, perhaps, quite lucky--I can live near my job, in an affordable neighborhood (my mortgage is less than the rent many of my friends pay) that has actual stuff in it. Yes, I sometimes drive the four miles to the store for food, but sometimes I ride my bike there, too. Our kids play soccer at a field one mile from our house (we ride our bikes) and take piano lessons two blocks away.