Car culture
Basics
Talking Headways Podcast: A Week Without Driving
Anna Zivarts discusses the lessons of her national campaign and yearly event with several politicians who brought it to their communities.
January 22, 2026
Book Excerpt Special: Jonathan Lethem’s ‘Program’s Progress’
Class struggle. Infirm secondary superheroes. Suicidal sheep. It’s all in Jonathan Lethem's new collection of short stories, "A Different Kind of Tension." Here's an excerpt — featuring class struggle with cars!
November 26, 2025
Report: A Third of Americans Can’t Rely On Cars — And 16 Million Have No Access At All
So why do we plan our cities like everyone can and does get behind the wheel every day?
October 2, 2025
Our Streets Look Like War Zones — But What if They Were ‘Sites of Peacebuilding’ Instead?
A peace and conflict studies scholar weighs in on what car culture has in common with global conflicts — and why we need to confront violence on our roads if we want to end violence around the globe.
September 23, 2025
Friday Video: How Car Culture and the Internet Attention Economy Waste Your Time
Our favorite YouTuber breaks down what happens when car culture, hyper-consumerism, and internet brain rot collide — and how to claw our way out.
September 19, 2025
Why is the Secretary of Transportation Begging Americans to Take More Road Trips?
Instead of making America easier to see on all modes, the US Department of Transportation is encouraging U.S. residents to just get in their cars and drive.
July 3, 2025
Trump’s DOT Secretary Wants You to Drive to Midwest Landmarks; Here Are Some Car-Free Alternatives
Planning a summer trip? Here are a few Amtrak-accessible destinations.
July 1, 2025
Does Constant Driving Really Make Our Country Richer?
A new study reveals that constant driving is making America less productive and prosperous — and getting people on other modes could help right the ship.
July 1, 2025
Empty Bike and Bus Lanes Are A Feature, Not a Bug
People stuck in a car in a lane next to a bus or bike lane shouldn’t be mad at the bus or the bike lane. If they had access to the bus or bike lane, it, too, would quickly clog with cars and trucks.
June 11, 2025
Where Does ‘Motonormativity’ Come From — And Which Country Has It Worst?
A new study explores how "motonormativity" shows up in the US, UK, and (yes) even in the Netherlands — and where we should apply pressure if we want to change our unspoken attitudes about how we move.
May 6, 2025
