The Fake "War on Cars"

Sarah Goodyear points out the absurdity of the idea that urban planners who are seeking to raise tolls and parking fees while increasing transit accessibility are mounting a "war on cars".

1 minute read

March 25, 2011, 8:00 AM PDT

By Tim Halbur


Sarah was inspired to the topic by frequent Planetizen contributor Todd Litman, who recently released a paper called "The First Casualty of a Non-Existent War: Evaluating Claims of Unjustified Restrictions on Automobile Use, and a Critique of 'Washington's War On Cars And The Suburbs.'"

Litman writes:

"Critics are wrong to claim that raising road tolls, parking fees or fuel taxes is unfair. Does charging admission at movie theatres constitute a "war on film viewers"? Does charging for bread constitute a "war on eaters?""

The truth, writes Goodyear, is that "advocates instead want policies that give more people more choice..."

Wednesday, March 23, 2011 in Grist

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

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