When I first went to the United States in 2006, when I was 11 years old, to see my new family and friends emigrated to the suburbs of Philadelphia, there were many things that surprised me. The noise, the crowd, and the scale of things are for eleven years old to handle. However, when I met a friend and family, I was surprised by one thing in particular.
When suggesting a trip to a local and noble barnes in a grocery park around the corner of their home, they jumped in the car. The trip is no more than five minutes. When I asked about why we were driving, my friend explained that they were not allowed to walk past the end of their road.
Back to the UK, in our area, we walked around and around the village, to local parks, and to school every day. Where we grew up non-suburbs in a major city, it was a village, close to their new home to shops is bright, with a sidewalk, and it looks quite easy.
In the years of my journey to follow, I will find out more about US obsessions by driving anywhere. So much that it becomes part of the US identity both internationally and internationally. But why this way, and there are ways around it? As we can see on the impact of the driving environment where and the rising cost of living crisis, is America’s time considered another way?
Why is everyone driving where in the US?
Some time ago, there was a Tiktok trend that began with “European minds could not understand this”, followed by a large highway, a beautiful, and broad National Park. The The rest of the world responds appropriately With jokes on healthcare, weapons safety, and functional public transport. This is how much the US has on the country’s international views.
When asked about Why are Americans relying so much on their carsMany will say that it is a country scale that needs a car. While this is certainly true in the remote parts of the United States, many of the major American cities are always shocked by traffic. Houston and Los Angeles are two places that are international reputation for suffering from horrific traffic congestion. The cities of these sizes in other countries are usually more dependent on public transport, to ensure low cost and save on the complexity of parking and sit on traffic.
In this regard, many US cities and cities are not designed by a way out or public transport in mind. The suburbs, large highways, and large parking make it a car culture will thrive on these locations. Added in relatively low gas costs compared to other countries and the country’s pride around US car manufacturing and car heritage, and it is no surprise that cars are so common throughout the US
Of course, this is the spread of the majority of US cities and cities. Some areas are very easy to pass, especially if they are on the older side and have to be developed with horses and cars in mind or pedestrian.
US scale arguments compared to other big countries
One of the biggest reasons why many Americans say they need to drive is due to the country’s scale. Although it is true that the distance between cities, cities, and states in the United States is wide, Many other big countries have a thriving public transport network. For example, Russia depends on public transport and has 53,000 trains nationwide. Only 47% of the population actually owns a car here.
Similarly, in China, fast train is a very popular way to travel, instead of flying or jumping in the car. Although traditionally, cars are the most popular way to travel in China, investment in public transport in major and long-range cities, high-speed routes pay dividends, especially when it comes to tourism. Of course, the The US has amtrak, with many long distance routes; However, they do not have high -speed elements that make them easy public transport options, instead leaving them as more tourist tourism options.
Other large countries such as Canada and Australia prioritize driving, just like the US again, this is due to scale and there is a long distance with not much infrastructure at all. However, in the cities, there are usually good public transport. Other large countries, such as Brazil and Argentina, have their car parts, but buses are the most popular way to get around because of low cost tickets.
The novelty of public transport in the US
Although many US cities have a public transport network, there are still new elements here. This is clearly shown by the joys around the launch Lax Metrolink Earlier this year. Of course, it is amazing that the Los Angeles Airport now has a quick and efficient public transport link to the city center. However, it is Gobsmacking that it has taken a long time.
LAX is one of the world’s largest and busiest airports. It is also well known for dropping people, and Uber fare out there is almost crime. When the launch took place, there was a lot of influence on the scene reporting at the new airport link. The full comments section of the Europeans who are impressed in this way do not exist. Most airports have several types of public transport to the city, though they are slower buses. The scale and reputation of LAX means that people are shocked that they have just found this link.
Increased interest around the train trip recently has shown that there is a taste for a sustainable and cost-effective trip. Backpacking throughout Europe, you will usually get a train route and jump between the cities. At Costa Rica, we spent three weeks of public bus trips and could easily hit the main area. In Japan, a bullet train is not just a tourist attraction; It’s the most popular way to go around. If you do not use public transport in Japan, you will actually be a weakness.
In comparison, US reliance on cars requires car pickup and addresses various giant lanes. This is scary for many and means that many tourists hold to the major cities where they can walk or use Metro.
A US city with a pretty good public transport
I will admit, there are some US cities with good public transport. The subway system in NYC, for example, is very easy to use and remains the best way to get around New York. Similarly, Chicago, Boston, and Washington, DC also have great public transport and metro links that make it eligible for a car without a car.
On the west coast, the San Francisco bart system is quite comprehensive, including connections to the airport. You can also use a cable car, which is a cool historical touch. However, on a large -scale, the west coast city is left behind the northeast for public transport. The main reason for this is the more modern city layout. The older cities are made for horses and cars or pedestrians, not cars. To ensure that historical centers, buses, trams, and subway are often better.
Therefore, as outsiders who look inside, the US’s attractiveness by driving, to the point of not running a few blocks, seems a bit absurd. However, without the necessary infrastructure and culture around the car and driving, it is difficult to see efficient way.