Car Use No Longer Growing in Developed World, But Why?

By | January 20, 2014

  • January 21, 2014 at 4:35 am
    Ilze says:
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    What is also interesting is the effect that the decline of people using cars is having on companies and their business models for example http://www.youi.com.au/car-insurance offering tailored insurance options now that takes into consideration how you use your car. I’m not sure if this encourages people to use their car less so your premiums will be lower or encouraging them to get cars even though they will probably still commute and use public transport in order to save money.

  • January 21, 2014 at 1:40 pm
    sl says:
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    Increase in urban living (particularly expensive coastal areas) – biking is increasing – bike share programs – car share programs. There are other alternatives that are more attractive than the traditional buses and trains

    • January 21, 2014 at 4:38 pm
      Agent says:
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      It all depends on where you live. People in NY can take the subway or cabs and really don’t need cars as much. In Texas, a lot of people live 30 miles from work and have to drive. All of my CSR’s live outside our city and have no choice. In some metro areas, they do carpool a lot to cut down on driving.

  • January 21, 2014 at 2:21 pm
    Agent says:
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    Seems to me that I saw an article that China is making the most cars and selling the most to their citizens. I think that refutes this article to some degree since they are driving more there. In the US, not so much. $4.00 gasoline makes it more expensive to drive. Young people don’t have any money. They can’t even get a job. Seniors aren’t driving much and insurance companies give extra discounts for low mileage drivers.

    • January 22, 2014 at 10:53 am
      Libby says:
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      Is China considered part of the developed world? Sincere question. No snark.

    • January 22, 2014 at 1:51 pm
      Captain Planet says:
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      Who is paying $4.00 for gas these days? I just paid $2.93 here in Des Moines.

      I personally would like to bike more but I do need to drop my daughters off to school/daycare in the mornings. Not to mention pick them up. I am currently trying to find a way to drop them off, swing by home to grab the bike, and then go. After work, same routine in reverse. Then, I can get a little more exercise each week day. Last time I was biking to work each day was in 2005 and 2006. And, before then, I was carpooling a lot more. I’d like to get back into the habits of not using a car so much.

  • January 21, 2014 at 4:36 pm
    TxLady says:
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    Many workers are getting to work some from home, even if it is just a day a week, that’s one day you are not driving to work. My son does a lot of car pooling with his friends instead of driving separately,the high cost of gas got them in the habit, and they’ve stayed in the habit of doing this.

  • January 22, 2014 at 10:54 am
    tiger says:
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    You have to be kidding me? People act in their own self interests so they would prefer having their own car, their own life, direction, control, etc. The reason car use is down is like Bill Clinton’s old campaign slogan: “It’s the economy stupid”.

    • January 23, 2014 at 2:16 pm
      Jeff says:
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      I don’t think it’s just the economy. I have gone from 25,000 miles per year to about 10,000 because I now work from home every day. My son works from home a day or two per week. My self-interest is well served by not sitting in traffic.



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