Car culture
Basics
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
Friday Video: Why Bikes Suck*
*... according to people who don't know what they're talking about.
March 28, 2025
Does the Media Help Create the Traffic Violence Crisis?
Which came first: the chicken (deadly driving) or the egg (a culture that normalizes it)?
March 25, 2025
What if the ‘Tesla Takedown’ Is Only the Beginning?
Tesla's cars have become symbols of Elon Musk's controversial role in U.S. politics — but they're also instruments of a violent system that long predates his time in the White House.
March 13, 2025
Massachusetts Lawmakers Are Still Spending Millions to Subsidize Elon Musk’s Car Company
In the three months between Election Day and February 5th (the last date for which data is currently available), Massachusetts taxpayers have sent $8.6 million in direct payments to buyers at Tesla dealerships.
March 10, 2025
Friday Video: How Violent Media Makes Road Violence Worse
From video games to movies to social media trends, the glamorization of road violence is everywhere — and a new documentary seeks to expose how that translates to real lives lost.
March 7, 2025
