US Reduction in Car Driving?
#1
Biker
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DC
Posts: 1,917
Bikes: one Recumbent and one Utility Bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
US Reduction in Car Driving?
"According to the Department of Transportation, Americans drove 11 billion miles less in March 2008 than a year earlier, the first time estimated travel on public roads fell in March since 1979.
The data marks the sharpest year-on-year drop for any month in the history of the agency's reporting, which dates back to 1942."
https://www.reuters.com/article/domes...e=domesticNews
See there we Americans can change our wasteful ways.
The data marks the sharpest year-on-year drop for any month in the history of the agency's reporting, which dates back to 1942."
https://www.reuters.com/article/domes...e=domesticNews
See there we Americans can change our wasteful ways.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Spur TX
Posts: 1,991
Bikes: Schwinn folder; SixThreeZero EvryJourney
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The article says its down 4.3% year over year.
I doubt there are many newly car free folks out there yet. You can get 4.3% by simple measures like combining errands. I know one guy who now leaves his diesel F-350 parked as much as possible by carpooling to his job.
It's been a long time since anyone said anything at all negative to me about riding a bike or living car free.
I doubt there are many newly car free folks out there yet. You can get 4.3% by simple measures like combining errands. I know one guy who now leaves his diesel F-350 parked as much as possible by carpooling to his job.
It's been a long time since anyone said anything at all negative to me about riding a bike or living car free.
#3
Membership Not Required
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: On the road-USA
Posts: 16,855
Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 70 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 16 Times
in
15 Posts
I don't doubt there has been a reduction in driving...I have managed to reduce mine by about 400 miles a week for the interim by riding Amtrak home on weekends. However I suspect the greatest reduction has been in longer trips and canceled vacations. People are STILL driving to the corner store for the supersized sodas and chips. I found an interesting website today dealing with infrastructure improvements to help get people out of their cars, called Complete the Streets.
Aaron
Aaron
![Smilie](images/smilies/smile.gif)
__________________
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Posts: 2,206
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I'm interested in anything that cuts gasoline consumption including:
- Carpooling, where available and practical
- Using public transportation, where available and practical
- Walking and using non-motorized transportation
- Switching to a more efficient vehicle
- Keeping vehicles properly maintained
- Planning trips to combine several errands at once
- Arranging schedules to save travel time
- Taking close-to-home vacations
- Moving closer to work, school or commonly-used amenities
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Spur TX
Posts: 1,991
Bikes: Schwinn folder; SixThreeZero EvryJourney
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
According to this article, demotorization is occurring in Japan, particularly among young people.
https://www.leftlanenews.com/japans-k...car-sales.html
Simply translated, kuruma banare means "demotorization" — a trend that has been affecting the Japanese auto market since 1990. While many factors have contributed to the demotorization of Japan, the biggest reason for the decline is that the youth have fallen out of love with the automobile.
Instead of saving up for a car, more and more young buyers are spending their money on the latest mobile phones and home computers. Between 2000 and 2005, spending on cars per household per year fell by 14 percent to $600, while internet spending and mobile phone subscriptions increased by 39 percent to $1,500, according to Newsweek.
And the younger the demographic, the more skewed the results. As Kimiyuki Suda — a 34 year old executive at an Internet-services company — put it, "having a car is so 20th century."
Instead of saving up for a car, more and more young buyers are spending their money on the latest mobile phones and home computers. Between 2000 and 2005, spending on cars per household per year fell by 14 percent to $600, while internet spending and mobile phone subscriptions increased by 39 percent to $1,500, according to Newsweek.
And the younger the demographic, the more skewed the results. As Kimiyuki Suda — a 34 year old executive at an Internet-services company — put it, "having a car is so 20th century."
#6
In the right lane
The article says its down 4.3% year over year.
I doubt there are many newly car free folks out there yet. You can get 4.3% by simple measures like combining errands. I know one guy who now leaves his diesel F-350 parked as much as possible by carpooling to his job.
It's been a long time since anyone said anything at all negative to me about riding a bike or living car free.
I doubt there are many newly car free folks out there yet. You can get 4.3% by simple measures like combining errands. I know one guy who now leaves his diesel F-350 parked as much as possible by carpooling to his job.
It's been a long time since anyone said anything at all negative to me about riding a bike or living car free.
![crash](images/smilies/crash.gif)
Yes, and I have noticed recently that my fellow workers no longer treat me with complete disdain. In fact, the bike rack in the back of the building is usually full.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Vancouver, WA, USA
Posts: 1,020
Bikes: Surly Crosscheck, Surly Pacer
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
This is what I don't get. I like having a car, I don't think I really want to get rid of my car (ZipCar is just too expensive). But I will ride my bike to work and/or the store so that I have money left to drive the the coast or the mountains on the weekend. Cancel trips? No way.
#8
Membership Not Required
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: On the road-USA
Posts: 16,855
Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 70 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 16 Times
in
15 Posts
This is what I don't get. I like having a car, I don't think I really want to get rid of my car (ZipCar is just too expensive). But I will ride my bike to work and/or the store so that I have money left to drive the the coast or the mountains on the weekend. Cancel trips? No way.
Aaron
![Smilie](images/smilies/smile.gif)
__________________
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
#9
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 764
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Besides gasoline, jet fuel prices are spiking airfare costs.The lead story on the local news this morning is all about crowds of people hopping on Amtrak trains and Greyhound buses to save on Memorial Day weekend traveling expenses.
#10
Banned
The wife and I are not cancelling any trips this year due to high fuel prices, more due to the fact that we want to use our vacation time this year to do home improvements that we've been putting off and now have the money to do(bicycling played a factor in contributing to the house fund). We will still make a few trips out of town, but just for two or three days at the most.
__________________
Prisoner No. 979
Prisoner No. 979
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Reisterstown, MD
Posts: 3,249
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I don't doubt there has been a reduction in driving...I have managed to reduce mine by about 400 miles a week for the interim by riding Amtrak home on weekends. However I suspect the greatest reduction has been in longer trips and canceled vacations. People are STILL driving to the corner store for the supersized sodas and chips. I found an interesting website today dealing with infrastructure improvements to help get people out of their cars, called Complete the Streets.
Aaron![Smilie](images/smilies/smile.gif)
Aaron
![Smilie](images/smilies/smile.gif)
-D
#12
is a very happy commuter
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: in orbit
Posts: 59
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
All this and yet...
I went for a ride last night and my path led me past the local middle school where a dance was being held. Many parents were lined up in their cars waiting to pick up their kids and about every 3rd or 4th car was idling. Most of the "idlers" were large suvs!
I went for a ride last night and my path led me past the local middle school where a dance was being held. Many parents were lined up in their cars waiting to pick up their kids and about every 3rd or 4th car was idling. Most of the "idlers" were large suvs!
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Posts: 2,206
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Do you really think the super short drive to the corner store is really a contributing factor? I mean I know it is fun to make it sound like everyone in a car is a fat junk food junkie who drives 10 feet to see his neighbor. But really you could easily have probably 100 people make that trip to the corner store and they would not contribute as much as the one suburbanite who spends 60 min each way commuting to work.
-D
-D
#14
Membership Not Required
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: On the road-USA
Posts: 16,855
Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 70 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 16 Times
in
15 Posts
Do you really think the super short drive to the corner store is really a contributing factor? I mean I know it is fun to make it sound like everyone in a car is a fat junk food junkie who drives 10 feet to see his neighbor. But really you could easily have probably 100 people make that trip to the corner store and they would not contribute as much as the one suburbanite who spends 60 min each way commuting to work.
-D
-D
Aaron
![Smilie](images/smilies/smile.gif)
__________________
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
#15
In the right lane
One fact will probably drive a reduction. Many drivers are now spending over $400 a month in gasoline, up from $200 a couple of years ago. There is almost no way the majority of them can continue to spend at that rate. If you look at many multiple car households and the current driving patterns, it hard to believe there wouldn't be some sort of reduction. The question is how much of a reduction?
Here's a chart for the average US, per-capita usage of gasoline in 2004. Remember... this is every man, woman and child! Multiply the gallons listed by $4 (price of gas currently) and then by 4 again (as an example of a typical US family). US average in 2004 was 464 gallons per year.
Here's a chart for the average US, per-capita usage of gasoline in 2004. Remember... this is every man, woman and child! Multiply the gallons listed by $4 (price of gas currently) and then by 4 again (as an example of a typical US family). US average in 2004 was 464 gallons per year.
Last edited by gerv; 05-24-08 at 11:20 AM. Reason: bold text
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Ashland, VA
Posts: 4,420
Bikes: The keepers: 1958 Raleigh Lenton Grand Prix, 1968 Ranger, 1969 Magneet Sprint, 1971 Gitane Tour de France, 1973 Raleigh Tourist, 3 - 1986 Rossins, and a '77 PX-10 frame in process.
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 221 Post(s)
Liked 237 Times
in
129 Posts
All this and yet...
I went for a ride last night and my path led me past the local middle school where a dance was being held. Many parents were lined up in their cars waiting to pick up their kids and about every 3rd or 4th car was idling. Most of the "idlers" were large suvs!
I went for a ride last night and my path led me past the local middle school where a dance was being held. Many parents were lined up in their cars waiting to pick up their kids and about every 3rd or 4th car was idling. Most of the "idlers" were large suvs!
It may make a lot of sense to you, at the moment gas starts to rise you immediately cut back driving severely. But then again, cars aren't exactly your favorite mode of transportation now, are they?
Conversely, we're talking a society wedded to cars. People who are having a very difficult time wrapping their brains around the concept of walking, biking, or only allowing themselves one vehicular trip per day.
Now, add in an additional factor: Back in the '73 and '79 gas crunches, the majority of gasoline purchases were paid for by reaching into the wallet and pulling out greenbacks. The hit on your spending ability was immediate and total. Nowadays, the majority of gasoline purchases are made by credit card. And if the month's gas total is a bit more than you budgeted for (assuming one even budgets - a rapidly fading talent), you just carry the balance over.
There's a lot more additional credit card debt being rung up by fools not cutting back their driving to match what they can afford in gasoline purchases. Of course, this opinion is being written by a tight-a**ed bookkeeper who hasn't paid a penny in credit card interest in over twenty years.
![lol](images/smilies/lol.gif)
__________________
Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
Syke
“No one in this world, so far as I know — and I have searched the records for years, and employed agents to help me — has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people. Nor has anyone ever lost public office thereby.”
H.L. Mencken, (1926)
#17
Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Temecula, CA
Posts: 43
Bikes: Giant FCR-3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I think the drop would have been significantly more had there been a better mass-transit system in place. Unlike Europe we have neglected our mass transit system so severly that we have few choices other than driving.
I made the choice to go mass transit last month, but in order for me to get from Temecula (Southwest Riverside County) to Lakeside (Eastern San Diego County) I need to go clear to the coast to catch the train. My commute starts at 4:00 AM and ends at 7:30 AM. Normally this is a 90 minute commute. Getting home is a bigger problem in that no bus goes all the way home so I have a 15 mile bike ride to fill the gap.
Had there been a well supported mass transit system I think the reduction would have been more like 15-20%.
I made the choice to go mass transit last month, but in order for me to get from Temecula (Southwest Riverside County) to Lakeside (Eastern San Diego County) I need to go clear to the coast to catch the train. My commute starts at 4:00 AM and ends at 7:30 AM. Normally this is a 90 minute commute. Getting home is a bigger problem in that no bus goes all the way home so I have a 15 mile bike ride to fill the gap.
Had there been a well supported mass transit system I think the reduction would have been more like 15-20%.
#18
Biker
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DC
Posts: 1,917
Bikes: one Recumbent and one Utility Bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The article says its down 4.3% year over year.
I doubt there are many newly car free folks out there yet. You can get 4.3% by simple measures like combining errands. I know one guy who now leaves his diesel F-350 parked as much as possible by carpooling to his job.
It's been a long time since anyone said anything at all negative to me about riding a bike or living car free.
I doubt there are many newly car free folks out there yet. You can get 4.3% by simple measures like combining errands. I know one guy who now leaves his diesel F-350 parked as much as possible by carpooling to his job.
It's been a long time since anyone said anything at all negative to me about riding a bike or living car free.
#19
Membership Not Required
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: On the road-USA
Posts: 16,855
Bikes: Giant Excursion, Raleigh Sports, Raleigh R.S.W. Compact, Motobecane? and about 20 more! OMG
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 70 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 16 Times
in
15 Posts
Well, today I biked to a local picnic spot. I've been there on memorial day Sunday for the past few years and in the past it isn't very crowded and the weather has been very nice just like today. Today it was jam packed. I met two local people who both said they had never been there before. One canceled his planned five hour car trip to do something local. I know they won't be going car free but this guy reduced his weekend driving substantially. Saturday I went to another local park, I'd never seen it that crowded and I'd been there on many nice spring days. If this is the future - people packed in cheek by jowl at my favorite neighborhood spots- bring back the car culture and give me back my elbow room. The guy that canceled his 5 hour drive grew up in the city and had never been to the park. Another strange thing was that many people arrived by bike, the parking lot wasn't packed just the picnic area. The park service might want to expand the picnic area by shrinking the parking lot.
![Thumbs Up](images/smilies/thumb.gif)
Aaron
![Smilie](images/smilies/smile.gif)
__________________
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
#20
In the right lane
#21
Biker
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DC
Posts: 1,917
Bikes: one Recumbent and one Utility Bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
DC. The park is just a few miles from Georgetown. A friend who with his wife owns 4 vehicles and normally takes his hot motorbike out on Sunday drives arrived by bicycle. I invited him to stop by after his Sunday morning motorcycle ride and he showed up on his dusty 1990's vintage mountain bike. "Nah, I felt like getting on the bicycle this morning." Whats up with a dedicated motorsport fanatic not taking his usual early Sunday ride on a beautiful clear day? He only bought the mountain bike when it was a fad. In the last 5 years I may have put more miles on his bike than he has- I borrow it for camping trips sometimes. If he put smooth tires and fenders on it, it would be a fun city bike, great brakes, precise handling. Something is going on in DC. Another woman at the picnic was telling how her daughter bought a mountain bike and the bike sat unused for years- until this week when the daughter rode it to the store.
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 1,258
Bikes: Classic lugged-steel road, touring, shopping, semi-recumbent, gravel
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 46 Post(s)
Liked 83 Times
in
32 Posts
A machinist at work is now a regular bike commuter. He lives only four miles from work but for the first time in my 13 years of bike commuting another co-worker is commuting on a regular basis.![Thumbs Up](images/smilies/thumb.gif)
I'm planning on doing some organized overnight rides but where the starting point is fairly close. I don't want to have to drive 150 miles to ride a bike! Speaking of which, I have a van so I'm trying to organize something where we can carpool to bike-riding venues.
![Thumbs Up](images/smilies/thumb.gif)
I'm planning on doing some organized overnight rides but where the starting point is fairly close. I don't want to have to drive 150 miles to ride a bike! Speaking of which, I have a van so I'm trying to organize something where we can carpool to bike-riding venues.
#23
Cycler
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 1,499
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Of course, all this reduction in automotive miles will result in smaller gasoline sales for the oil companies. In turn, the increased inventories of petroleum stores will result in lower gas prices, followed by a collective sigh of relief as people once again drive more miles. The scene then repeats itself, ad infinitum. We went through this during the 1973 oil embargo and didn't learn our lesson back then obviously. "When we don't learn from the past we are doomed to repeat it."
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Posts: 2,206
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Of course, all this reduction in automotive miles will result in smaller gasoline sales for the oil companies. In turn, the increased inventories of petroleum stores will result in lower gas prices, followed by a collective sigh of relief as people once again drive more miles. The scene then repeats itself, ad infinitum. We went through this during the 1973 oil embargo and didn't learn our lesson back then obviously. "When we don't learn from the past we are doomed to repeat it."