My previous blog was about the perception that cars somehow deliver status. A related remark is that everyone wants a car, so it is hopeless to try to control or, heaven forbid, ban them.

Now, I have no doubt that many people would like to own a car (or motorbike) and that many consider their personal motorized vehicle as a great asset, even a friend. Yet I suspect that these same people probably have a lot of other values, including ones which conflict directly with car ownership. They likely value access to affordable housing, a good life for their children, and governments that invest sufficiently in education and health care. But their children’s independent movement and ability to play outdoors are hampered by cars. The need to provide free or heavily subsidized parking for cars takes away space that could be used for parks...and for affordable housing. And government investment in the infrastructure needed to support cars contributes to them running out of money when it comes to social investment.

So sure, many people want a car...but given a choice, they might very well choose a high quality public transit system accompanied by excellent conditions for walking and cycling...and then all the other things we could have if we did not invest so much of our limited resources (money, fuel, land) in cars. It is time to make those choices clear...and let people decide what they truly value.