I'm doing a paper and I'm just curious about your opinion
2007-03-21 08:54:58 · 9 answers · asked by nykia_nyia 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Commuting
Compared to many other industrialized countries, we are huge. And Americans have an adventurous spirit and an insatiable desire to travel. Also as stated before me, many of our cities lack good public transportation systems.
2007-03-21 10:13:58 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It figures that someone from Detroit would claim that people get mugged and raped on subways. I'm from Detroit and I say otherwise, having actually LIVED in a city with decent rail transit. It's perfectly fine, safe and clean in most places.
In fact, transit use is significantly on the upswing.
http://www.apta.com/research/stats
Light-rail systems have been sprouting like daisies all over America (time was, the only rail transit west of Cleveland was Chicago and San Francisco. Now I can't count em all.)
The L.A. Subway.
Yes, there really is one! Belive it or not! It's connected with four light rail lines and a commuter train system that rivals Chicago's. All built in the last 20 years.
America's dependency on cars is because we have built our cities, suburbs and living spaces such that NOTHING ELSE WILL WORK decently for people. That's because when they plan cities, suburbs etc. they don't spend the public money to make provisions for decent transit. Part of that is paranoia: they think making their community car-only by design will reduce vagrancy and crime.
There is also a VERY strong social association between "cars" and "success/money". Ask any Realtor how important their car is to impressing their customers.
2007-03-21 23:54:28 · answer #2 · answered by Wolf Harper 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, for me, I live out in the county so there's really not any other way to get around. For people who don't live in a big city or somewhere with a good public transporation system, they kind of have to drive. If we had subways and trains throughout the country we could use those.
I guess the main problem seems to be the general lack of public transportation set up. We're a pretty big country so linking it all up would be hard though.
2007-03-21 16:04:46 · answer #3 · answered by gruvypie 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Three main reasons: (1) Desire for freedom to go wherever you want whenever you want without having to wait for a bus or train or taxi, (2) Mass-production of automobiles, making them affordable to just about everybody in the '40's and '50's, and (3) Lack of public transportation in many areas. Here in Detroit, we have a bus system and that's it. Other major cities like New York and Chicago have subways or L trains (elevated trains) but they're not noted for their safety -- people get mugged, raped, assaulted, etc., frequently on subways and L trains.
2007-03-21 16:04:26 · answer #4 · answered by sarge927 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A lot of Americans can't afford to (or choose not to) live in cities where jobs are so they move out to the suburbs. There's very few public transportation options in the burbs so everyone needs a car to drive to their job.
2007-03-21 16:03:05 · answer #5 · answered by Chris F 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A lot of people live outside of cities and there really isn't a whole lot of transportation where they live.
2007-03-21 16:06:18 · answer #6 · answered by Betty 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because they ate all the horses.
2007-03-21 17:31:02 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
becouse they are fat and lazy.
2007-03-21 16:02:44 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
WE ARE LAZY
2007-03-21 16:02:44 · answer #9 · answered by maddog 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋