“Once rare, 7-year car loans are fast becoming the norm. They’re often the only way buyers can afford new rides, with average sale prices surging 28% in 5 years to approach $50k.” Designed-in car dependency, surging car prices, longer loan periods with more interest. Sound like “freedom” to you? https://www.seattletimes.com/business/cars-are-so-expensive-that-buyers-need-7-year-loans/

“Once rare, 7-year car loans are fast becoming the norm. They’re often the only way buyers can afford new rides, with average sale prices surging 28% in 5 years to approach $50k.” Designed-in car dependency, surging car prices, longer loan periods with more interest. Sound like “freedom” to you? https://www.seattletimes.com/business/cars-are-so-expensive-that-buyers-need-7-year-loans/ https://www.seattletimes.com/business/cars-are-so-expensive-that-buyers-need-7-year-loans/

NEW: “Toderian says it’s easy to be distracted by futuristic innovations like electric cars, drone delivery networks & hyperloops. ‘The real solutions are a lot less sexy and a lot more common sense… Tech won’t save us if we get the fundamentals wrong.” I was 1 of 3 urban experts asked to weigh in.

The Globe and Mail

A world without traffic? Three urban experts rethink how cities move

Gridlock is costing us billions, but bold solutions like bus-only lanes, congestion charges and flexible work hours could get cities moving again

The ENERGY at our big public event in downtown Kingston, Jamaica (700-800 registered plus walk-ins) was off the charts. Powerful constructive energy around an urgent call to action (I was VERY blunt!) Will the event, all the media, and thee 3 busy days working with local leaders, be a turning point for the downtown and waterfront? #Kingston #Jamaica #waterfront #downtown

Are you STILL being told there just isn’t enough space on your streets to make them enjoyable for walking, biking, transit or simple civic life? The REAL “capacity” of streets is fundamentally about our PRIORITIES. Are streets for cars, or for everyone? HT cartoon by @IanLockwoodPE

NEW: This year, Dublin will become the latest European capital to bar thru-traffic from its city centre. Private cars & commercial trucks will be allowed access only if their final destination is downtown. The goal is a 60% traffic reduction in the centre.

Bloomberg.com

Dublin to Ban Driving Through Its City Center

The Irish capital’s playbook for taming traffic in the downtown core follows a wave of similar efforts to restrict private cars in other EU cities.

“I’m not saying you can’t drive a car: what I’m questioning is having someone subsidise my decision to drive and park.” Parking is being managed in cities “like a badly-run charity,” & that money comes from somewhere. From Australia, relevant everywhere.

This car park cost about $50 million to build, but it’s half empty on a rainy day in Melbourne

“I’m not saying you can’t drive a car: what I’m questioning is having someone subsidise my decision to drive and park.” Parking is being managed in cities “like a badly-run charity,” & that money comes from somewhere. From Australia, relevant everywhere.

This car park cost about $50 million to build, but it’s half empty on a rainy day in Melbourne