How Your House's Garage Induces More Speeding and Less Walking

"In suburbs all over North America, front garages are causing ripple effects that change the design and nature of our neighbourhoods in many ways that we don't initially realize," argues Toderian. By preventing on-street parking, and leaving extra-wide driving lanes, garages and driveways induce higher design speeds.

The impacts extend to the design and enjoyment of our neighborhoods as well, continues Toderian. "There likely isn't a sidewalk anyway. The curb cut usually replaces that, as well as the landscape strips, and street trees. Add to these losses the absence of on-street parking, which can be valuable as a buffer to separate pedestrians from moving cars, and you have a significant impact on the walkability of the neighbourhood."

Toderian suggests rear lanes as the best option for increasing safety and sociability.