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I’m sure this isn’t a hundred percent unique to America, but I was thinking the other day how the American homo-sapiens has the added trait of motorized transportation built into the progression of their biology. Infancy leads into adolescence. Then comes puberty which almost reliably develops into a phase that includes the growth of an automobile in your life. This phase seems to last the rest of the human’s life. It appears to be a required component in the human’s life for acquiring necessary jobs that pay for food, shelter, and American survival in general. The necessity of an expensive looking car seems for many, a visual mating cue for members of the opposite sex. For some even mere travel in one’s local habitat makes use of this motorized component. Is the car a requirement for the American dream as well?
I don’t think so. I’ve banished the car pretty thoroughly from my life. At times, it has been a difficult decision to continue through, I’m lean like a cheetah nowadays. I’m not starving though. The reminder of the copious expenses and false freedoms a car would introduce into my life is enough to keep me from relenting and getting back behind the wheel. It’s a real shame that this “evolution” is foisted on and endorsed by so many Americans. It is such a disappointing “coming-of-age” moment. A disappointment that now you’re old enough to drive, you get saddled with the high-price of gas, unaffordable but required insurance, costly repairs, and the stress of traffic. I think a better coming-of-age moment would be to become old enough at some point and get free health care or something.
It’s always inspiring to hear of another sixteen year old kid resist this biological urge and decide not to start driving their first car. They seem to be few and far between however. Those that resist have hopefully already learned of the real freedoms and self-sufficiency of riding a bike.
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great one – i have to say I seriously regret allowing myself to fall into such a dependance on the car
Comment by fuckgas 05.04.09 @ 8:50 pm[...] Michael over at Presta or Shrader has a great new post up regarding the majority of American’s gross general reliance on automobiles and the mindset that has overtaken the populace. Enjoy it here. [...]
Pingback by ‘Merican Design | Fuck Gas 05.04.09 @ 9:01 pmI agree, the rite of passage that is turning 16 and getting a car is a real bummer. Where i went to high school, i could nearly walk to school faster than driving, and the fastest method was by bike. The route i took on my bike was all neighborhood streets, but my parents bought me a car and insisted it be driven anyway. 5000 kids at that school and never more than 20 bikes outside, kids would even park as far as a mile out and walk in, just to be able to drive.
I still have a car, but i’m making an effort to minimize my “need” for it. I can’t wait to move to a real city and get rid of the car forever.
Bicycles are pure, the monetary and ecological cost of making them pays off within a year of sustained riding. The good news is people are catching on to this now more than ever, i just dream of the day when there’s no more hummers cutting me off, inviting my spit…
Comment by paul 05.05.09 @ 6:44 pmi live in seattle and think owning a car here is pretty ridiculous. but i grew up in montana. no bike trails or lanes or sharrows. highway rides required to go shopping. if i still lived in montana i would certainly ride my bike most of the time but having a car is practically required.
Comment by johnny gaijin 07.04.09 @ 2:51 amLeave a comment
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