What was the ancient nomadic life like?

Hunting animals and gathering plants were the main activities of hunter and gatherer societies around 11,00 to 12,000 years ago. They created a community of equals, where responsibilities were well-divided and everyone knew their role. Though there were not any modern means of organizing or researching the next best place to settle, people in this culture did a great job arranging all the travels. Quite amazing in terms of logistics, especially considering they mainly traveled by foot.

There were no fancy tools, no need for money, and no sense of individual ownership. The common property was what prevailed, as nature did not belong to anyone.

There seem to be no place for greed. The people hunted just enough to eat for a short period of time, without exceeding their limits. For a practical reason, this made sense, as they wanted to have less to carry with them.

There was no need for money either, as the barter economy allowed for simple transactions. Was it an isolating lifestyle? Maybe. But although we oftentimes think of it as primitive, we should keep in mind that we still cherish many of these lifestyle traits.

Nomadic lifestyle: the past and the present.

Regardless of the number of years that pass, the value system of a nomadic lifestyle has stayed unchanged for the most part. Connecting with nature, exploration, and adventure still remain at the center of it. Respect for nature is vital, and each nomad creates a special relationship with the trees, the woods, flowers, and all parts of the ecosystem.

What has changed with modern nomads is highly related to their additional motives for choosing the #vanlife and the logistics of it. Many modern nomads want to escape from a stressful life and to even get off the grid for some time. Restoring the energy while enjoying the feeling of independence, is oftentimes the best cure for stress. However, there are also those who are not escaping from anything. They just want to get back to their roots instead. Fascinated by their ancestral past, they try to keep their legacy alive.

Moreover, technological developments and social progress have equipped modern nomads with some of the best means of living sustainably and yet comfortably. People can choose this lifestyle. This was not always the case with ancient societies. Therefore, in modern days, being a nomad is not for everyone. Especially not for those who prefer comfort, indoor showers, or abundant wardrobes.

Are nomadic feelings innate in humans?

Although the word “migrant” is nowadays loaded with mixed meanings, which are not always pleasant, it seems that there is a common pattern across times and places. People have always liked moving and exploring, engaged in curiosity, and succumbed to wanderlust. Felix Marquardt calls these feelings “ancestral, essential and instinctive” in his book “The New Nomads: How the Migration Movement is Making the World a Better Place”.

The challenges of walking long distances, keeping social equality, or struggling to get food seem trivial to the modern convenient arrangements of renting or buying an RV, working remotely from a laptop, or buying food from local stores.

It is because of all these modern inventions that sometimes we forget that in essence, we still carry many of the inner traits of the ancient nomads. One of the most forgotten ones seems to be the drive to preserve nature without taking from it more than we can replace. Hopefully, modern nomads will bring this trait back to life as they explore different natural habitats and raise awareness.

How do you feel about modern nomads? What other common qualities with ancient nomads do you see? Let’s start a conversation – share your thoughts with us.

The post Ancient roots of the modern nomads appeared first on Altered Steel.

Now, if we trust Hollywood, reindeer power does not translate directly into horsepower, so our comparisons may fall short. Several propaganda movies have been made to show how old school reindeer just get the job done better than an engine, for example. But come on – you and I both know that Santa loves his tech. After all, he keeps on leaving brand new smartphones for kids all over the world.

With that in mind, today we are taking a look at some of Santa’s sleigh upgrades throughout the years. He might keep showing his reindeer off, but let’s see what he is driving when no one is looking!

Santa loves luxury

The bearded jolly old man may like to give children toys and gifts, but he treats himself as well. And no, I am not talking just about those cookies and milk next to a Christmas tree. He just likes having a comfortable ride in a reliable vehicle. Which is why he has a Lexus in his arsenal!

With that said, I would not call his Lexus sleigh exactly imaginative. I mean, for a luxury brand you would expect more attention to detail. Instead, they just slapped on a red LED for a nose and added some rails to call their LC model a sleigh.

Still, I have to give it to the automaker in terms of power – with 800 reindeer power and a hybrid engine, this thing travels fast. Plus, it shows they care about the polar ice caps, which Santa also adores. So while in terms of design Toyota (and Lexus) do fall a bit short, they make up for it in all the other important aspects!

Santa’s daily workhorse – A trusty pickup truck

Before Santa had the resources to go into luxury cars, he had to make do with cheap, but trusty alternatives. And what better to replace a sleigh than a pickup truck?

Truth be told, I cannot just give you a single model, because Santa has a few of them. He understands pickup truck classes and likely has one of each to fit his needs. From the smallest half-ton Chevrolet of the ’40s to the heavy-duty GMC Sierra, Father Christmas knows what to choose for his yearly hauling needs!

In my opinion, if Santa has to ever bet on a single vehicle, a pickup would be the obvious go-to. Though he might want to consider something with a bit more presence. Perhaps the F-350 Raptor?

Honorable mentions

Prior to revealing my all-time favorite Santa machine, we should also note some other vehicles in the (in)famous North Pole garage.

• Jaguar F-Type (and F-Sleigh)

Naturally, many companies want to get on Santa’s “nice” list. Because of this, they make up prototypes for him to try out (though I am sure bribery counts as “naughty”). Of all the prototypes though, Jaguar F-Sleigh actually takes a different route. They made it out of ice! So, yes, not exactly operable, but props to Jaguar for thinking outside the box.

• Mercedes GLK (or GLSleigh)

For all we can tell, Saint Nicholas looks like a humble person. That being said, sometimes people judge your presence by the type of car you drive. Thus, for occasions where looks matter, Mercedes-Benz has gifted Santa with a proper luxury off-road machine. Not sure if he brags about it, but it doesn’t hurt to have it just in case!

• Ford Fusion/Mondeo Sleigh

Since Ford knows it cannot compete on the luxury level, the carmaker has chosen a different strategy. Its version of Santa’s sleigh bets on practicality. Over the years Ford has offered Kringle several versions of its affordable sedan, but whether Santa actually drives any of them… no one knows.

Muscle and looks – The best sleigh in Santa’s collection

If you have been following our blog for a while now, you know the love we have for muscle cars like Ford Mustang. That being said, Santa prefers Dodge. More specifically, he likes to ride around in a Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye Express.

Let me tell you, this beast blows away all of Santa’s reindeer and then some! With its 786 hp, the car-sleigh is almost 100 times as fast. Okay, I get it, those reindeer might be getting some special juice to bump their power-up, but even so, they are no match. The only drawback to the Hellcat version of the sleigh? Santa gets so pumped up about it that he actually forgets to do his job on Christmas Eve. So, reluctantly, he leaves this one in the garage for the time being!

With all that said, considering how many sleighs Father Christmas has, that toy manufacturing business turns out to be raking quite the profit. Who knew! But which of the engine-powered sleighs in this article do you like the most? Or would you rather Santa stick to his trusty old reindeer?

The post Santa’s sleigh reimagined appeared first on Altered Steel.

Wheels can spark interesting conversations in the domain of automotive, mechanics, toys, and even linguistics. Join us in this post, as we uncover exciting facts about the wheel. Before you know it, you will find yourself equipped with some engaging conversation starters.

How was the wheel invented?

Humanity had to wait until the Bronze Age, around 3,500 years ago, to witness the invention of the wheel in ancient Mesopotamia. This might come as a surprising fact considering how important the wheel is for the transportation of food, commodities, and eventually people.

Copper and other materials were used to build the wheel axles. The wheel-and-axle concept was simply genius, and the axle had to be of perfect diameter to create a nice balance between friction and load support. Smoothness and roundness were also very important for the wheel to turn. All these components are so inter-connected and complex that many anthropologists suggest that the wheel could not have been invented in phases. It must have been created all at once.

What were the early uses of the wheel?

Early wheels with a wooden disk and a hole for the axle had multiple uses in the early times. And transportation was not initially one of them. Instead, wheels were used for pottery, which had gained importance in the religious context. Irrigation and milling were also among the practical uses of the wheel. It would be around 300 years later that the wheel would be used for the first chariots.

The wheel was also used as a form of death punishment in the Middle Ages. The sentenced person would have an iron-rimmed wheel across their bones while being hit with a hammer. In fact, breaking on the wheel was quite common at that time.

Who manufactures wheels today?

In the early days, the wheel was an artisan product. As transportation was gaining its momentum, especially during the industrialization period, the wheel became a product of mass production in different parts of the world. Nowadays, you may think that automakers also manufacture wheels. Yet, that rarely happens. Wheels are a necessity and simultaneously so complex, that specialized tire producers have become prominent in the market.

For example, Bridgestone Corp, Continental AG, or Group Michelin are among the largest global tire producers. According to the Global Industry Analysis, “The global tire market value is expected to reach of around US$ 150 Bn by 2027”. Who would have thought that the wheel would make such progress from the early days of pottery?

The wheel as a metaphor?

Humanity took the wheel so close to the heart that “wheel-phrases” became part of our daily conversations, as well as literary works. Most likely you have heard the famous “wheel of fortune” phrase, which takes origin from Greek and Roman mythology. Goddess Fortuna (or Fortune) liked to rotate the wheel with her hands, thus playing the fate of the people. One day you are on top, and the other, – you fall to the bottom.

Shakespeare makes use of the wheel, too, in his plays: ““Fortune, good night, smile once more; turn thy wheel!” says a disguised Earl of Kent in King Lear. In addition, Dante’s “wheel of flame” or John Lennon’s metaphorical song lyrics about wheels going round and round reflecting the time that passes by are other examples of the wheel being omnipresent in our social jargon.

What would have happened if the wheel had never been invented?

“What if” questions can be tricky at times. This one is no exception. During this post, I have shown that the wheel has become an intrinsic part of our life and even language. Now, let’s play. I dare you to name all everyday objects that include the wheel or gears. I can list a few just now: your car, bicycle, electric fan, your watch, CD, the inner plate of the microwave, roundabouts, among many-many others.

Can you imagine the world without all these things? Without transportation and gears? Would there have been another invention to substitute all these instead? Humans have the ability to create genius solutions when faced with a necessity. What could there have been instead? As a matter of fact, science and technology rely extensively on circular and wheel-related concepts. Mobility and traveling would not be the same without the wheel.

What are your thoughts? Do you think we can ever re-invent the wheel? Feel free to share with us in the comments below.

The post Facts about the wheel: All you need to know appeared first on Altered Steel.

Besides, as micro-mobility continues to evolve, bikes have also been gaining popularity. Who knows, maybe a bike will really be your next car. And you may want to begin exploring all possible facets of its use, including adventure cycling. Ready to learn more about it?

What is adventure cycling?

Adventure cycling may sound like a fancy concept. But, in reality, it is simply riding your bike longer-than-usual, following an itinerary of your choice.

A bicycle, some minor supplies, and the spirit of adventure are the key ingredients for this experience. Mother Nature will assist you with the rest. Let me guess – a gamut of questions is rushing through your head right now.

Where to go for your cycling adventure?

The sky is the limit when it comes to destinations. Make this adventure YOURS by choosing your favorite and most convenient roadmap. Do you prefer mountains or flatter areas? Is there a national park that you would like to visit? What about the remote areas around your city, with those narrow streets, where you cannot normally drive? And what about biking along the coastline, while breathing in the sea breeze?

It all depends on how adventurous you are, and also how comfortable you feel with cycling on rough upward terrains. The Adventure Cycling Association is a good resource for selecting your biking route.

How long should my biking adventure be?

There are no written rules on the length of adventure cycling. It all depends on the free time you have. You can spend one night, one weekend, or more exploring different places. Another factor that may impact your choice is how long you are willing to live without creature comforts.

One way you can test this is by recalling the last time you went camping. For example, if it was for two nights, did you enjoy it? Did you feel comfortable sleeping outside? If you are not particularly fond of camping, but still want to spend a few days adventure cycling, then you may arrange for sleeping indoors. For instance, you can book an Airbnb room or find other nearby accommodations.

How expensive is adventure cycling?

If planning your vacation budget gives you headaches, I have good news for you. Adventure cycling will cost you very little money if you plan ahead.

As I mentioned in the beginning, the first ingredient of this experience is the bicycle itself. This is where you may want to invest most of your planned budget. Make sure that your bike is in good condition, and don’t forget to take a bike repair kit with you. You do not need the latest and most expensive model to go on this adventure. What matters is that the bike is properly maintained.

Depending on your budget, you may spend your nights in camping sites, hostels, or hotels. If you don’t want to spend much in this category, then you can use the “Warm Showers” to find nearby houses that are willing to offer you accommodation for free.

What about the food? This is also up to you. If you prefer to stay frugal, you can alternate between cooking your own meals and eating out at local budget restaurants. This will help you stay healthy and on budget.

Five reasons to go on an adventure cycling trip

Now that you know what adventure cycling is all about, let’s explore some of the reasons why to embark on this journey.

Get to know yourself

I still remember the time I learned to ride a bike. I was five, and, at first, I was cycling using a bike with a couple of auxiliary wheels, until one day, my dad took them off. It took me a while before I realized that I was cycling on my own. No auxiliary wheels, no one holding me. It was a fantastic feeling of freedom and independence, which I still cherish with a smile on my face.

I have biked short distances several times during these years. I remember once biking through the forest with friends. Even though pedaling uphill was challenging, the satisfaction I received on the way down made it worth it. As the wind was playing with my hair, the image of the trees passing by, and the smell of the woods all made me feel part of nature. Now imagine experiencing this a few days in a row, while combining it with meeting other people and visiting new places. No doubt, you will truly get to know yourself and test your limits.

Save the environment

No need to say that biking is a zero-carbon emission activity. As such, it does not pollute the environment. This is also a reason to feel proud of being an adventure cycler. After all, it is a win-win situation: you get to experience a fun weekend, and the environment is saved from the CO2 emitted by fuel vehicles.

Enjoy a flexible mobility

Recall all the times that your flight was canceled, rescheduled, or all those hours of sitting in traffic while driving to your vacation destination. I have also been through these experiences, and the feelings of frustration are not easy to forget.

You will not have to think about all of these in adventure cycling, though. You can bike according to your pace, rest whenever you feel like, and then resume your trip.

Besides, you can park almost anywhere and explore paths that are not accessible by cars.

You are your own boss and make your own rules while biking. After a long working week, it is definitely rewarding to have some control over your routine, isn’t it?

Embrace a unique experience

Adventure cycling allows you to experience the lifestyles of locals anywhere you visit. Forget about the cliché touristic spots and give yourself the chance to meet new people, make new friends, and learn about their culture. You would be surprised by all the little things and all the human stories you will uncover.

Keep healthy

“The bicycle is the noblest invention of mankind,” says William Saroyan, an Academy Award prize winner. I think that its nobility is not only related to the low environmental footprint but also our mental and physical health. The combination of the sense of freedom, experiencing nature, relaxation, and adventurous encounters, produce feelings of accomplishment. At the end of a successful adventure cycling trip, you can proudly say: “I made it.”

Not only this, but your body will also thank you, as cycling is considered one of the healthiest sports. According to a Harvard Medical School publication, “Going for a ride is good for your heart and muscles, and it may improve how you walk, balance, and climb stairs.”

As you saw, adventure cycling can offer you first-hand experience of nature and new lifestyles, while embracing feelings of empowerment, freedom, and healthy achievements.

Are you ready to get yourself a bike and pedal towards the adventure? Feel free to share your story with us. We can’t wait to hear about your cycling adventures.

The post What is adventure cycling, and why you should try it appeared first on Altered Steel.

Should we be surprised or should we finally admit that we are trapped in so many ways? What is more surprising is the fact that this desire for freedom has extended to areas which have previously made our lives easier. The most recent of them being freedom from cars by establishing car-free zones in major cities across the globe.

Have cars become a burden we need to be free from? Or has our passion for saving the environment outgrown our need for convenience?

Entering a car-free era

The car-free movement commenced a few years ago when major European cities started blocking off streets and downtown areas from vehicles. The reasons that inspired this decision are based on sustainability and environmental concerns. By joining the movement, city officials aim to reduce air pollution and improve safety among residents and visitors.

And if you think this is a step gone too far, check out some of the statistics on car pollution:

• In the United States cars represent approximately 89 percent of the trips made by vehicles, accounting for the largest bulk of pollution.
• The number of early deaths caused by air pollution in Europe has doubled, with vehicle emissions and fossil fuels being the main pollutants.
• An Oxford University study shows that car dependency in Britain only costs over 6 billion pounds in health damages. Per year.

Despite the alarming numbers, we must admit that our vehicles’ fuel efficiency has improved significantly over the past 20 years, thus leading to lower emissions. Climate change legislation and emissions regulations have largely contributed to a better quality of air. In addition, many cities have introduced cycling stations and bike paths or have improved their public transit system.

Yet, despite these improvements, many people still chose their car over available alternatives. It seems like these steps were not significant enough to make people voluntarily change their driving habits. This is why we now see more and more cities slowly and purposefully going car-free.

European cities establish car-free zones

Below are some of the pioneer cities that set a path for others to follow.

• Madrid, Spain – Ban on older cars. Madrid began restricting access to older than 2000 gas-powered models and diesel vehicles made prior to 2006 in its city center. According to the estimates, this decision will lead to nearly 20% fewer vehicles in the area and cut air pollution by 40%. For now, officials allow only cars with previously registered parking spots to enter the area. But by the end of 2020, older diesel and gas-powered cars won’t be allowed to circulate the city center.
• Paris, France – One car-free Sunday a month. In a 2018 study, Paris was declared the city with the second-worst air quality among 13 European cities. And so the mayor Anne Hidalgo made it her personal mission to improve the air quality in the City of Lights. Not only has the classy city banned older vehicles from the city center, but it has also established a day free of cars. Parisians will enjoy the city center free of cars every first Sunday of the month from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. In addition to the car-free Champs-Élysées, a 3km (1.8m) section of the right bank of the Seine river, which was once a two-lane motorway, has been pedestrianized.
• Ghent, Belgium – A circulation plan. The Belgian city established a new circulation plan in 2017. The historical area has been car-free for 20 years already. And the newly introduced plan expands this traffic-free area by diverting vehicle traffic away by a ring road. Only public transport and emergency vehicles can enter the car-free zones. Loading and unloading of cargo can take place within certain hours and only with a permit. Two years after accepting the plan, the city has drastically lowered the amount of nitrogen dioxide in the air, according to Flanders Environment Agency. And while more people choose to go car-free, more people choose to avoid the city center as well. Locals say this leads to more empty shops and fewer middle-class people in the streets.

Oslo removed over 700 parking spots from its city center. Stockholm introduced a congestion charge for vehicles entering the city. London created Cycle Superhighways to increase the number of bikes and their safety on the roads.

This is the case in Europe – the continent where everything feels like it’s just around the corner. Beijing, Tokyo, and Mexico are also implementing similar policies.

But imagine the same scenario in the United States. We see Europe and Asia might be getting to like the car-free movement, but what we really want to know is this:

Are Americans ready to give up their cars?

Back in 2013, Census data showed that about 9 percent of U.S. households didn’t have access to a car. This figure has not changed much over the past years either. The 2016 research showed that three years later, this percentage remained the same.

On average, an American owns 1.8 cars. Some of the reasons for this go back to the historical image of the car as a status symbol and larger than in Europe distances between locations.

What is sad is that car dependency in the USA is significantly increasing the cost of living in some areas. Detroit, Miami, and Phoenix are the least affordable cities in the nation – not due to high housing rents but due to high transportation costs. And if you delve deeper into the infrastructure and transportation patterns in these cities, you will see that, voluntarily or not, people are stuck behind the wheel.

The hope is in the young generation

However, if we look at the national data in the past decades, we will see that even though the number of cars per capita is not significantly decreasing, the amount of driving is. Especially on the East Coast. States like New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island have shown lower numbers of miles traveled per capita.

The last time people chose to drive less was during the Great Recession, when the economy was doing poorly or when the gasoline prices were rising in the mid-2000s. Naturally, when times were hard, people chose to cut on their travel and leisure expenses.

Yet, today we see a different situation. The economy is doing well, but people in metropolitan areas consciously choose to limit their car usage. The reason for this: Millennials and their decreasing desire for car ownership and strong passion to have a positive impact on the world.

Young people prefer to leave their parents’ car-dependent rural areas in favor of the transit-friendly urban neighborhoods. Surprisingly, millennials would not opt for Los Angeles or New York, but rather opt for places like Nashville, TN or Seattle, WA.

Yet, it is exactly in California and New York where you will see the first car-free zones in the USA.

Car-free zones in American Cities

New York made some really brave steps towards embracing the car-free movement. In October 2019, the city transformed one of its most congested streets into a busway.

According to the New York Times, 14^th street is a major crosstown route that links the East and West Sides of Manhattan Passenger cars where 21,000 vehicles, including taxis and Ubers, pass by every single day.

Under the new rules, between the hours of 6 a.m and 10 p.m. every day, cars are only allowed to drop off passengers and load or unload cargo along the stretch of the street.

It is interesting that less than a quarter of Manhattan’s residents own cars. Yet, this number does not account for people who commute in the city by a taxi or share a ride. Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft have gained huge popularity in New York City in the past years, and people choose them over the bus or subway. Thus, even though people aren’t necessarily owning more cars, they’re still adding to the daily congestion.

San Francisco is also making a radical change. The city approved a $600-million plan to remove private vehicles from its busy Market Street. It will be renovated into space for streetcars, buses, cyclists, and pedestrians.

One in ten transit riders is on the street every single day. Despite that, the street hasn’t been rebuilt in over 45 years. The city plans to shrink the street in favor of a broader sidewalk and a bike lane (8 ft wide).

Bikes and electric scooters will have to share. Lyft and Uber will not be banned but will have separate loading areas. This will help reduce the number of accidents that affect pedestrians and cyclists in the busy area.

Car-freedom ahead

Just like any major transformation, the transition to car-free cities has a long way ahead before we see its effects on a major scale. For now, it seems like the car-free movement is bringing more lifestyle benefits than long-lasting air quality improvements.

Yet, simply banning cars from certain city areas is not a sustainable solution. People will still need to get to work and provide for themselves. And restricting their options will make it harder. Unless there are more alternatives to choose from. Affordable and attainable.

Shared mobility is one such option. The free buffer zones, new public transit stops, and the availability of e-scooters and bikes are the first steps towards such opportunities. Good planning and plenty of options will give citizens the flexibility they need to give up their vehicles more easily.

And when it comes to the reality of the United States? Preventing cars from central city areas will not solve America’s problem with cars. This is because the issue on the new continent is not so much the number of drivers in dense city areas. It is the number of miles they drive. The main factors for America’s dependency on cars relate to the big distances and the long trips they require. And that can hardly be changed.

The solution can only come from an urban planning system that no longer prioritizes cars over other modes of transportation. Maybe we should call Elon Musk and ask for a high-speed eco-friendly tunnel solution on this one?

The post Pedestrians only: The future of car-free zones appeared first on Altered Steel.

The facts

According to the latest report released by the U.S. Department of Transportation, there has been an increase of 2.5% in vehicle miles traveled (VMT) between April of 2018 and April of 2019. And while 2.5% doesn’t seem like that much, +6.8 billion vehicle miles, resulting in a total of 279.3 billion in just one month may seem like a much more shocking number.

And for the sake of comparison, the Department of Transportation surveyors added data beginning from 1994. If you look at the charts, you’ll see that in 2019, the number of VMT has increased by approximately 40 percent. What’s interesting is that the United States population has only grown by 20 percent within the same period of time. So it’s either that the number of vehicles on American roads has been growing twice as fast as the population, or people have become extremely dependent on cars driving longer distances and visiting more destinations by means of a personal vehicle.

The bitter truths

So despite various reports of Americans falling out of love with cars, the reality seems to be the opposite.

Let’s be honest, though, ever since the adoption of a motor vehicle, every effort was made to ensure car dependency. Even the Supreme Court has endorsed driving, proclaiming a car “a virtual necessity for most Americans”. Driving has been deeply engraved in our psyche.

Most responses to car travel problems focus on improving the driving conditions not making the shift in behavior.

To begin with, today older cars are cheap and reliable. Without much effort, you can squeeze 200,000 miles or more out of your Toyota or Honda. So unless you like the latest and the greatest, you can hold on to your car much longer.

When the issue of air pollution comes up – technological fixes like cleaner fuels or catalytic converters are the answers. Safety was first addressed with features like windshield wipers and seat-belts. Today, it has advanced to automatic emergency braking (AEB) and blind-spot detection.

EVs now are being actively promoted as both, safer and cleaner driving option, ignoring every other issue they may be bringing to the table. And taking into account America’s love for bigger vehicles, automakers enthusiastically invest in “electrifying” trucks and SUVs.

And with the advent of self-driving vehicles and robot taxis, even congestion may not be that much of an issue. Since you won’t have to keep your eyes on the road, you’ll be able to focus your attention on other important-to-you-things or indulge in day-dreaming.

Why would anyone want to give up a car when driving is only getting better?

So our governments spend billions of dollars on freeway expansion. We plan our cities and other urban areas with a car in mind. We model our streets to fit more vehicles and maximize the car flow. The American Dream of owning a house with a yard is more accessible if it’s far away from city centers.

And just like that green space is diminished for the sake of suburban sprawl. And then more open space is sacrificed to build parking and accommodate all those cars that bring people back to the city for work or leisure.

So just like that we are back to heavily congested freeways, overloaded surface streets, and longer times to cross even relatively short distance.

The solution

We find ourselves in a vicious circle. Trying to alleviate the effects of driving by improving cars and driving infrastructure, we only sink ourselves further in car dependency. If we really want to depend less on personal vehicles, we need a shift in paradigm. And that shift starts from within. There is no one-fits-all solution, neither will change happen overnight.

Therefore, instead of waiting for politicians and those with the power to come up with better options and start investing in greener and better mobility solutions, let’s start making small changes in how we move around. It may require us to explore outside the comfort zone and try things that at first may not seem as convenient as hopping in a car and just driving. But each small action counts when led by conscience.

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