The End of Car Culture?

[oil pan 4]

Originally Posted by Lbar

Most of those guys who have car phobia ride around on a bike with no helmet. Rather ironic.

Yes it is. I read a few years back that world wide roughly 1 person was killed for every 10 bike miles traveled and 1 person dies for about every 100 car miles driven.

I think I will stay inside my air conditioned, air bag protected metal box.

[California98Civic]

I'm not certain but I would bet that car ownership rates per household and per person were lower in the forties and fifties when some of the music and popular celebration of the car began. Numbers and demographics, in other words, won't tell the whole story about "culture." Cultures are about meanings and significances and can defy metrics. If a kid only drives his mom's car a few miles a week, but dreams of them, or shows of in it, or goes on dates or to parties looking to ... car culture is alive and well. Our development pattern is dependent on these vehicles. I'd expect them to see changed meanings, but still be really significant to millions and still find themselves into songs and films (think Disney's "Cars" franchise).

[lowglider]

The car culture marketing/propaganda was based on convincing people that cars get you freedom and pretty girls with a smile but nowadays the reality is that you mostly find yourself getting stuck in a traffic jam, often with a not so pretty nagging girl sitting beside you

[gone-ot]

I just chauk it (decline of red-blooded interest in cars) up to them being 'Millenium (gimme) Brats' (wink,wink).

[NachtRitter]

If my experience is any indication, I can totally understand it. When I was growing up, there was little to do inside the house (no video games, no computers, etc), so I spent time outside and often watching / helping my Dad work on his cars. I learned a lot about cars and how they worked, which grew into a lifelong interest. Today, I still do my own maintenance and even some fairly in-depth repair (replacing axle, suspension).

On the other hand, my son (now 19) had things he could do inside his entire life. If I tried to get him to come out to help work on the car, he would come grudgingly and really wouldn't pay much attention to what I was trying to teach him. I gave up after a while. Now he doesn't have much of a clue about how cars work or what's required to maintain one. It's simply a tool to get from point A to B, and an expensive one at that, with insurance, registration, fuel costs, etc. If it weren't for the fact that we live out a ways from his high school (last year) and his junior college (this year), I don't think he'd even have gotten his license yet. I'm pretty sure if I was in his position, I'd feel the same way. Most of the young kids that he is with have a similar state of mind...

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by Old Tele man

I just chauk it (decline of red-blooded interest in cars) up to them being 'Millenium (gimme) Brats' (wink,wink).

I can assure you that the current generation has the same (or more) of the entitlement and consumer mentality. They just have more options to spend their money on, and darn it if Apple keeps coming out with new iPhones.

Portland is where young people go to retire. There are scores of 20-30 somethings working part-time barista jobs and living with 5 other people. They can't afford a car, and convince themselves that a bicycle is all they need. Then they ask their environmentally clueless friend to borrow their vehicle.

It works for a while, but eventually a car is needed to facilitate our consumer and traveling lifestyle.

[NachtRitter]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

Portland is where young people go to retire. There are scores of 20-30 somethings working part-time barista jobs and living with 5 other people. They can't afford a car, and convince themselves that a bicycle is all they need. Then they ask their environmentally clueless friend to borrow their vehicle.

That's probably why the little "Car Sharing" companies like ZipCar and & CarShare are so popular...

[Allch Chcar]

Considering our peak mileage was in 2005, we're talking about a phenomenon that has been in the works for much longer than that. I was born before whatever cutoff that defines the up and coming Millennials. I had my permit at 17 and then a full license at 18. Then I updated it again after I turned 21. Cars are important to me not just as a tool to get where I need to go but have special meaning to me. Meanwhile, I have two siblings over 18 without a driver's license and no interest in owning a car.

I'd say the vilifying of cars is a minor factor. It's more that driving is very expensive and in cities, unbearable due to traffic congestion. In Europe the problem is exacerbated by high fuel prices. Add in how easy it is to communicate online and make friends far, far away. And you get the recipe for our current situation.

[lordherald]

justme1969
I agree with you entirely. I always liked the Italian supercars and lately am really smitten with the Ford GT but even if I had the money to through around doubt I would buy it. I would be more likely to buy a velomobile with a big 48v 1000w assist.
Have you ever watched the movie Brazil? I would like the little car he drives but as an electric or a propane electric hybrid.
I really hate having to drive a car almost everyday.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by lordherald

justme1969
Have you ever watched the movie Brazil?

I could have happily lived out the rest of my life never thinking again of the nonsense known as Brazil. Though I don't recall the car you are referring to, I can only imagine it's as ridiculous as the film.