In Ralph Buehler’s article “Determinants of Transport Mode Choice: A Comparison of Germany and the USA” published in the Journal of Transport Geography, the author addresses the motorization rates in Germany and the US. Studies show that Germans make a four times higher share of trips using “green” methods of transportation (walking, biking, etc.) Delving deeper into the issue to discover why this may be, Buehler discovers that a lack of biking and walking friendly paths may be part of the issue. Many destinations in the US are accessible only by car, forcing many to drive. In addition to this problem, gas taxes and registration fees are lower in the US than they are in Germany, reducing incentive for Americans to use green methods of transportation. Also, parking is cheap and generally readily available, and road construction and maintenance are subsidized at a higher rate. These aspects present a significant obstacle for the US in reducing vehicle-related greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.
In an article published in Time: Moneyland magazine, author Brad Tuttle discusses the gap between Germans and Americans (http://moneyland.time.com/2010/09/27/why-you-should-behave-less-like-an-american-and-more-like-a-german/). He believes the gap is due to cultural differences. I find this to be an interesting thesis. While I agree with Buehler in the aforementioned article, I also think the dramatic difference between the transportation choices made by Germans versus Americans is partly behavioral. The way we are raised plays a large role in the choices we will make for the rest of our lives. For instance, if we are raised by parents in an area where we can walk to places like school, the grocery store, and shops, we are likely to develop the same habits and continue to do so, if possible. But unfortunately, most Americans are raised in suburban towns plagued by urban sprawl that force them to be very auto-dependent.
With all that being said, the issue at hand is a serious one that needs feasible solutions now. The first step for the US is creating the infrastructure for walking and cycling so that people can choose to use these green methods of transportation if they desire. Other regulations like increasing incentive to walk or bike, can then be proposed. Portland, Oregon is very pedestrian friendly, and can be used as a model for other cities to add the proper infrastructure for walking and cycling.
I agree with your behavioral point. Studies show people are most affected by their elementary school friends' and habits. Another big life-changer is college because often times it forces people to ride the bus and walk every where. Although college students are not as impressionable as children, they can change their ways when problems are made personal. Meaning, the way Virginia Tech participates in relay for life and makes students ride the bus certain places because it is more convenient to get to that place by public transportation.
ReplyDeleteI really like the look of these smart communities where houses,public transportation, and retail areas are close together. Also, builders try to conserve natural elements of the community.
I agree that we do need to come up with greener solutions for modes of transportation. One problem is that there are lots of massive gaps in this country between cities where it's not going to be possible to use a bike as a mode of transport, in these situations we do need to have other modes available such as trains to discourage the use of cars with high CO2 emissions. However these infrastructures to improve waking and cycling could have a massive impact on big cities, both environmentally and economically.
ReplyDelete-Tyler Smith
I think that part of the behavioral culture of the United States is to always be fast-paced, which would have to do with the large push for transportation by car. As Americans we care about getting somewhere as fast as possible, so we can carry out whatever else we need to do in the day as soon as possible. Where as in Europe, I have found when visiting, that people don't seem as rushed, so if the streets are built for pedestrians and cyclists, why not take that option? Especially if driving is seen more as a hassle.
ReplyDelete-Rachel Gordon
I do also believe that a lack of safe path for biking a walking are a major reason that Americans, as compared to Germans, drive more often. Even when a destination is feasibly within biking or walking distance, many times Americans choose to drive anyway. In Blacksburg I try to bike as often and to as many places as I can, but especially at night I do not feel completely safe doing this in fear that while I am biking along the street I may not be seen and be hit by a car. I definitely think that if gas taxes were to go up many more people would seek out alternative modes of transportation. I like how you hit upon behavioral habits in one factor to why we drive more than Germans do, I grew up in said suburb and was able to walk to my pool and to a couple of friend's houses, beyond these places however, I was taken in or drove myself in a car. Now, even though I try to walk and bike as often as possible, I find myself from time to time either driving or wishing I could drive to places technically within walking distance.
ReplyDelete