Almost every city and town in America is hyper-focused on easing the experiences of those transportation users that primarily use the personal vehicle. The focus on vehicles necessitates a massive demand for an extensive highway system. Because of this focus, other transportation methods are often marginalized to expand and maintain the existing road network. Public transportation infrastructure, like a light rail network, bike lanes, or even something as simple as sidewalks are all too often neglected for car infrastructure.

Some claim that this state of affairs in fine, because the car has such importance for the average American. But this thinking is a self-fulfilling prophecy. A reliance on car infrastructure encourages people to use the car. A promotion of alternative transportation methods would increase the use of those particular options. If we look around the world, we can see that many cities are structured in such a way that the vehicle is not the center of transportation, and because of this, these cities often function better for more of their residents. A city with many options when it comes to transportation is almost always a more inclusive city. Places like Stockholm in Sweden are a perfect example of this type of thinking. They emphasize alternative modes in order to make a more livable city that works for more people.

So, what should be the proper place for the car? It should work alongside of, not out-prioritizing, other form of transit.