What would make you give up your car?

Here's an important and fascinating discussion: What would make you give up your car?

I'll admit my perspective has changed a bit since I moved to Texas. But in seeking alternatives, the following things rank high on my list: safety, convenience, and, perhaps most importantly, time. If I could get to work by public transit or bicycle in a reasonable amount of time, I'd do it. But right now it breaks down like this...

Commute distance: 12 miles.
Time it takes to commute one-way...

By car: About 15 minutes in the morning, 35 in the evening.

By bike: About 1 hour (Uphill. And add another two miles to the distance).

By bus: Between 1 hour & 20 minutes and 2 hours (including one to three transfers to different bus lines.)

Keep in mind that my commute is along one of the most popular roads in Austin -- it's a major commuter route for many Austinites and those living in nearby suburbs. Even after a year of living here, I'm still amazed that there aren't any better alternatives.

I didn't own a car before I moved to Texas. BART, buses, Amtrak, ZipCar, and carpooling made getting around fairly quick and cheap. I could commute to work, go shopping, and hang out with friends without worrying about finding and paying for parking, or (after a night on the town) who would be the designated driver. Granted, I grew up a block from a subway station, but despite the downsides to public transit, it has always served me well.

Here, I've used public transit only once. I use my commuter bike on the weeknights and weekends to cruise around town, but never to get to work. It's SO EASY to drive a car here, it's what I generally do.

Click here to read the discussion. I think it's fascinating... and hopeful. I think we can design cities better, make cycling easier and "cooler," provide better access to efficient public transit, eliminate stigma, and ultimately convince folks to get out of their cars.