Side effects of the bitter recession pill: Americans are taking steps to reduce dependence on cars; Interested in alternative transportation options
(Source: Transportation for America; USA Today)
A yearly census survey released Monday illustrates the continuation of a trend that started well before the recession: Americans are taking steps to reduce their dependence on cars, and are looking for other options for getting around. The daily drumbeat of high unemployment, home foreclosures and plummeting retail sales drowns out a less obvious impact of the recession: its influence on America’s lifestyle. Rates of solo driving and car ownership are dropping, according to this story in the USA Today about new census data. The paper cites a census report showing drops in both Americans who drove alone to work and in overall car ownership.
Commuting. The share of workers who drove to work alone has dropped to 75.5% from 76% the past two years — a possible consequence of high gas prices and the recession.
Environmental consciousness and the appeal of living in urban centers also play a role, says David Goldberg, spokesman for Transportation for America (T4America), a national coalition that advocates reduced dependence on cars.
Car ownership. The share of households having one car or no car at all rose to 42.2% from 41.8%. Some of the decline in car ownership may be driven by younger people putting off getting their driver’s licenses or buying their first cars, Goldberg says. “We’ve seen a cultural shift.” Younger Americans are also changing their perceptions – and the behavior – surrounding automobile use.
