The War on Cars
The War on Cars brings you news, commentary and stories about the worldwide battle to undo a century's worth of damage wrought by the automobile.
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The Creation of America's Car Culture
11/11/2025
The Creation of America's Car Culture
This episode is part of a special series called "Changing American Car Culture" funded with the generous support of The Helen and William Mazer Foundation. As historian Peter Norton documents in his book, , the death and destruction caused by the introduction of automobiles into U.S. cities in the early part of the 20th century caused a lot of people to challenge the notion that such machines would ever become popular. In response, autmobile companies, car dealers, driving enthuisasts, and others went on the offense, creating the culture that gave rise to the mass adoption of cars and the phenomenon of forced car dependence. In this special episode, producer Ilana Strauss brings us a story that begins with the pushback against automobiles, the fight for speed governors, and the unlikely partnership between a Studebaker dealer and a young academic who manufactured the rules and norms that came to shape American streets at the expense of anyone who isn't in a car. and receive exclusive access to ad-free versions of regular episodes, Patreon-only bonus content, Discord access, invitations to live events, merch discounts and free stickers! ***Our new book, , is out now from Thesis, an imprint of Penguin Random House. *** This episode was sponsored by . Listen for the latest discount code.
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PREVIEW: A Talk with Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo
10/28/2025
PREVIEW: A Talk with Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo
This is a preview of a . For complete access to this and all of our bonus content, plus ad-free versions of regular episodes, merch discounts, presale tickets to live shows, and more, . Back in September, Sarah moderated a conversation with Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo as part of Climate Week events in New York City. The event was presented by the and , a Paris-based nonprofit that focuses on improving air quality. We talked about her work removing cars from the city, reducing air pollution, and cleaning up the Seine. for access to the entire episode. Order our new book, , out now from Thesis, an imprint of Penguin Random House. And catch us on tour this fall and beyond.
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Welcome to Life After Cars
10/21/2025
Welcome to Life After Cars
Today we celebrate the publication of our new book, . In this episode, we serve up a sample of the audiobook and talk about some of the things we learned and that surprised us during the process of bringing Life After Cars to publication. Also, who should play us in the movie version? Listen to hear our thoughts and let us know your opinion. We are so grateful to all of our listeners and supporters for making this day possible. Go out there and . . Please support independent booksellers! and receive exclusive access to ad-free versions of regular episodes, Patreon-only bonus content, Discord access, invitations to live events, merch discounts and free stickers! Thanks to and for sponsoring this episode.
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The War on the War on Cars with Ted Mann
10/07/2025
The War on the War on Cars with Ted Mann
In this episode, we talk about the Trump Administration’s full-on financial assault on all the modes of transportation we hold dear here at The War on Cars. Biking, walking, public transit—basically, anything deemed “hostile to cars” or that has something to do with sustainability and equity is under attack. Ted Mann, a reporter at Bloomberg News , joins us to explain what is going on with federal transportation funding for active transportation projects and more. You can find more of Ted’s work or follow him on . and receive exclusive access to ad-free versions of regular episodes, Patreon-only bonus content, Discord access, invitations to live events, merch discounts and free stickers! ***Our new book, , will be published on October 21, 2025 by Thesis, an imprint of Penguin Random House. .*** in San Francisco, Washington DC, Seattle, Vancouver, Portland, San Diego, Los Angeles and more. New dates are being added all the time. The War on Cars is produced with the generous support of the Helen & William Mazer Foundation. This episode was sponsored by and . Listen for the latest discount codes.
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Cities for Children with Tim Gill
09/30/2025
Cities for Children with Tim Gill
is a London-based independent scholar, writer and consultant on childhood, and a global advocate for children’s play and mobility. He is the author of and We met Tim when he appeared on a panel with Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo that Sarah moderated during Climate Week in New York. When we heard what he has to say about cities and children, we knew that we had to have him on the show. So we grabbed him before he could leave New York. We talked on a bench in City Hall Park on a weekday morning, so you can hear the sounds of a city that is waking up and going to work and school in the background. It was an appropriate setting for a chat about how we by making cities better for children, we make them better for everyone. and receive exclusive access to ad-free versions of regular episodes, Patreon-only bonus content, Discord access, invitations to live events, merch discounts and free stickers! ***Our new book, , will be published on October 21, 2025 by Thesis, an imprint of Penguin Random House. .*** Find us on our book tour in , , , and more. We're adding new cities every week. The War on Cars is produced with the generous support of the Helen & William Mazer Foundation. This episode was sponsored by and . Listen for the latest discount codes.
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PREVIEW: The Cars of TikTok
09/23/2025
PREVIEW: The Cars of TikTok
This is a preview of a . For complete access to this and all of our bonus content, plus ad-free versions of regular episodes, merch discounts, presale tickets to live shows, and more, . If you spend any time at all on social media, you’ve seen countless videos of all kinds of different people talking about all kinds of different things with one setting in common: the car. We got together in the studio with journalist and author Mathew Rodriguez to discuss the way cars have become our nation’s premier social media content studios—and all the weirdness that entails. We talked drive-thrus, “Who the F*** Did I Marry,” monetizing the school pickup line, and the way that cars have become the backdrop for the great unscrolling American self-documentation effort. for access to the entire episode. Pre-order our new book, , coming in October from Thesis, an imprint of Penguin Random House. And catch us on tour this fall and beyond.
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Political Courage with Brad Lander
09/09/2025
Political Courage with Brad Lander
Brad Lander has been a fixture in New York’s progressive political scene for nearly two decades now, and has earned a reputation as a strong advocate for bike lanes, bike share, driver accountability, and congestion pricing. This year, though, he’s become known in a new way. As a candidate in a crowded Democratic mayoral primary, Brad cross-endorsed Zohran Mamdani, who eventually won the race with a margin that shocked the Democratic establishment. And in June, mere days before the primary ended, Brad was escorting a man named out of an immigration hearing . Brad joins us to explain how his defense of the Prospect Park West bike lane as a then-new member of the New York City Council became a formative experience in his political career and why the courage and coalition building it takes to stand up for safe streets are also the same tools it takes to fight fascism. and receive ad-free versions of regular episodes, exclusive bonus content, Discord access, presale tickets for live events, merch discounts, and free stickers! ***Our new book, , will be published on October 21, 2025. .*** Purchase tickets for our publication party and live show at . And find don’t miss our events in , , , and more. The War on Cars is produced with the generous support of the Helen & William Mazer Foundation. This episode was sponsored by and . Listen for the latest discount codes.
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TEASER: Cars Drive Us Apart, Subway Takes Unite Us
08/26/2025
TEASER: Cars Drive Us Apart, Subway Takes Unite Us
This is a preview of a . For complete access to this and all of our bonus content, plus ad-free versions of regular episodes, merch discounts, presale tickets to live shows, and more, . In this bonus episode, Doug and I discuss a couple of recent studies that look at just how destructive cars are to the social fabric of our communities, how they decrease life satisfaction, and how walkable neighborhoods with public gathering places are an important resources for combating the loneliness epidemic. As we often say, we have custom-built our communities for cars, in the name of convenience. That obviously sucks for those of us who don’t want to drive. But the crazy thing is, as we have often pointed out, that it also sucks for people who do think that driving it’s a terrific way to get around. In the full bonus, we also give you our take on David Byrne’s Subway Takes appearance—and his take about urban bike etiquette! for access to the entire episode. Pre-order our new book, , coming in October from Thesis, an imprint of Penguin Random House. And catch us on tour this fall and beyond.
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Should the Bus Be Free? With Yonah Freemark
08/12/2025
Should the Bus Be Free? With Yonah Freemark
Should the bus be free? That’s the question everyone following the New York City mayoral race is asking, with Democratic primary winner Zohran Mamdani promising to focus on fast, free buses if he’s elected to City Hall. Eliminating bus fares is a big idea, but is it a good one? Like a lot of things in politics, there’s no simple answer. That’s why we asked Yonah Freemark — a researcher in cities, land use, and transportation at the Urban Institute — to walk us through the pros and cons of making the bus free for everyone. Whatever you think about it, the good news is that everyone is talking about bus riders. That’s a win in our book. and receive exclusive access to ad-free versions of regular episodes, Patreon-only bonus content, Discord access, invitations to live events, merch discounts and free stickers! ***Our new book, , will be published on October 21, 2025 by Thesis, an imprint of Penguin Random House. .*** Purchase tickets for our publication party and live show at . And find us in other cities for our book tour including , , , and more. The War on Cars is produced with the generous support of the Helen & William Mazer Foundation. This episode was sponsored by and . Listen for the latest discount codes. Check out . (She designed our logo!) SHOW NOTES Learn more about and his work at the . Watch Zohran Mamdani on . Charlie Komanoff: Free buses would mean faster buses and more riders. () Andrew Cuomo has a less ambitious free bus plan. () Boston has free buses on three routes. () New York’s free bus pilot. () This episode was recorded at the .
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PREVIEW: We Know What We Read Last Summer
07/29/2025
PREVIEW: We Know What We Read Last Summer
This is a preview of a . For complete access to this and all of our bonus content, plus ad-free versions of regular episodes, merch discounts, presale tickets to live shows, and more, . While we were researching and writing last year, we read and pulled information from dozens upon dozens of books. There were also a handful of books that caught our attention but that, try as we might, didn't quite warrant inclusion in our own. In this Patreon exclusive, we talk about two of these books: "Road Safety: How to Reduce Accidents" by T.S. Skillman (1965) and an anthology called "He Rides Beside You" (1957). For very different reasons, both are fascinating examples of the mindset of people who knew a life before cars and, more than halfway into the 20th century, were grappling with the reality of life during cars. for access to the entire episode. Pre-order our new book, , coming in October from Thesis, an imprint of Penguin Random House. And catch us on tour this fall and beyond.
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BUILDING SOLIDARITY WITH BICYCLES AT VELO-CITY
07/15/2025
BUILDING SOLIDARITY WITH BICYCLES AT VELO-CITY
At this year’s Velo-city conference in Gdansk, the theme was “Energizing Solidarity,” in honor of the city’s history as the cradle of the Solidarity labor movement that helped bring down Communism in Poland. Velo-city is an incredibly good-mood event put on each year by the European Cyclists’ Federation, where people come from all over the world to share best practices in urban cycling, and to connect with their fellow advocates, elected officials, and other members of the wider cycling community. Sarah talked with advocates, government officials, and researchers how bicycles build solidarity as people around the world fight for democracy and our planet’s health. and receive exclusive access to ad-free versions of regular episodes, Patreon-only bonus content, Discord access, invitations to live events, merch discounts and free stickers! ***Our new book, , will be published on October 21, 2025 by Thesis, an imprint of Penguin Random House. .*** Purchase tickets for our publication party and live show at . The Patreon presale for our begins on Wednesday, July 16th. More shows will be announced soon. The War on Cars is produced with the generous support of the Helen & William Mazer Foundation. This episode was sponsored by and . SHOW NOTES Check out all the great work that the does. will be in Rimini, Italy. Thanks to Anthony Lau of for the audio from the Cave Rave. Learn more about the in Glasgow. Check out . imagines a city that deprioritizes cars. Find out about the for climate awareness. motonormativity research, along with fun facts about his other life as an ultradistance athlete. Learn more about .
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PREVIEW: Are Cyclists Too Mean Online?
07/01/2025
PREVIEW: Are Cyclists Too Mean Online?
This is a preview of a . For complete access to this and all of our bonus content, plus ad-free versions of regular episodes, merch discounts, pre-sale tickets to live shows and more, . Are cyclists too mean online? To read some of the headlines about a recent study, you'd think the answer was yes. blared the headline in The Guardian. The subhead said that "toxic" online debates can make officials and other people in government reluctant to pursue cycling-related transportation projects. Adding one and one together, any reader would likely assume that it's those "forceful bike campaigners" who are mostly responsible for the "toxic" online debates. This story spread online and confirmed a lot of people's priors. Those darn cyclists! If only they'd behave they'd deserve safer streets! Not so fast. was a bit more complicated than the headlines and social media posts might have led people to believe. It also offers good lessons for effective engagement to get the change we want at the scale we need, no matter the issue. for access to the entire episode. Pre-order our new book, , coming in October from Thesis, an imprint of Penguin Random House. And catch us on tour this fall and beyond, including at our .
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What Makes a City a Cycling City?
06/24/2025
What Makes a City a Cycling City?
Why have some cities become places where it's easy to hop on a bike for daily transportation needs while others have languished or even been left behind? Is there some sort of magical combination of forces that separate the best cycling cities from basically everywhere else? Those are the questions asked by , a research project headed by Dr. Ruth Oldenziel, a Professor in The History of Technology at Eindhoven University of Technology. Nthoki Dorcas Nyamai, an Urban Development Researcher at International Planning Studies, TU Dortmund University, also joins us to talk about her research into African cities, local advocacy and cycling culture in places like Nairobi, and more. Looking far beyond the handful of Northern European cities that consume so much attention in the cycling world, the Cycling Cities project challenges us to take a bigger view of the factors that determine whether or not cities prioritize people over cars and to think beyond traffic counts or even two wheels. Ruth and Dorcas's research may surprise you. and receive exclusive access to ad-free versions of regular episodes, Patreon-only bonus content, Discord access, invitations to live events, merch discounts and free stickers! ***Our new book, , will be published on October 21, 2025 by Thesis, an imprint of Penguin Random House. .*** Tickets for our publication party and live show at The Bell House in Brooklyn on October 28th are now available to the general public. They're going fast, . This episode was produced with the generous support of the Helen & William Mazer Foundation. This episode was also supported by . Listen to the episode for the latest discount on the best and most stylish rain gear for walking and cycling. Learn more about how an electric cargo bike can change your life and SHOW NOTES Read about the project and learn more about and Here's that we mention in the episode. /
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John Mulaney, Natasha Lyonne and the Battle of the Bike Lanes
06/03/2025
John Mulaney, Natasha Lyonne and the Battle of the Bike Lanes
Recently, on an episode of the Netflix show Everybody’s Live with John Mulaney, the subject turned to bike lanes. Or rather, the subject was turned to bike lanes by Natasha Lyonne. The actress, writer, director and producer said that bike lanes should be “shut down” and claimed that there is no space for them in Manhattan. was on Everybody’s Live as a “public transit expert” to talk about Uber, but soon found herself — as a public-transit-riding Los Angeles resident — defending bike lanes and explaining the rational apportionment of urban space to some pretty famous New Yorkers, all of them brilliant and talented. So why is it that otherwise intelligent people often say unintelligent things about bikes? Why do nearly all conversations about transportation, even one that’s not about bicycles, devolve into NIMBY-style complaints about cyclists? What can advocates learn from a conversation that, if you strip away the big stars and the studio audience, was indistinguishable from a community board meeting? ***Our new book, , will be published on October 21, 2025 by Thesis, an imprint of Penguin Random House. .*** and receive exclusive access to ad-free versions of regular episodes, Patreon-only bonus content, Discord access, invitations to live events, merch discounts and free stickers! This episode was produced with the generous support of the Helen & William Mazer Foundation. This episode was also supported by . Listen to the episode for the latest discount on the best and most stylish rain gear for walking and cycling. Learn more about how an electric cargo bike can change your life and LINKS: Support Alissa Walker's outstanding journalism by . Read . Watch on Netflix. Read the . /
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TEASER: Live from Minneapolis!
05/27/2025
TEASER: Live from Minneapolis!
This is a preview of a . For complete access to this and all of our bonus content, plus ad-free versions of regular episodes, merch discounts, pre-sale tickets to live shows and more, . And don't miss our new book, now available for pre-sale wherever you purchase books. Enjoy this preview of our live show, recorded before a sold-out crowd at The Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis and presented by Our Streets on April 24th, 2025. Our guests included Minneapolis City Council member Robin Wonsley, State Representative Samantha Sencer-Mura, filmmaker D.A. Bullock, and John Edwards of Wedge Live. can hear the entire episode. and help support our independent podcast.
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Overcoming the Threat to Black Movement with Charles T. Brown
05/20/2025
Overcoming the Threat to Black Movement with Charles T. Brown
Charles T. Brown is a longtime friend of the podcast who was . We welcomed him back to talk about his important new book, Arrested Mobility: Overcoming the Threat to Black Movement, out now from Island Press. Charles is the founder and principal of , a minority- and veteran-owned urban planning, public policy and research firm focused at the intersection of transportation, health and equity. He is also an adjunct professor at the . In Arrested Mobility, Charles applies his years of experience in the field to examine how what he calls “the four Ps”—policing, public policy, polity, and planning—come together to hold Black people back in fundamental ways, limiting their literal and figurative mobility. We talked about how to repair our cities, the importance of Black leadership, and what it truly means to “love thy neighbor”—as an urban planner and as a member of a community. ***Our new book, , will be published on October 21, 2025 by Thesis, an imprint of Penguin Random House. .*** and receive exclusive access to ad-free versions of regular episodes, Patreon-only bonus content, Discord access, invitations to live events, merch discounts and free stickers! This episode was produced with the generous support of the Helen & William Mazer Foundation. We are also supported by . Listen to the episode for the latest discount on the best and most stylish rain gear for walking and cycling. Learn more about how an electric cargo bike can change your life and LINKS: Buy Charles T. Brown’s book, , at our . Check out Charles’s podcast and find out more about his work. /
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More Motornormativity with Marco te Brömmelstroet, aka "The Fietsprofessor"
05/06/2025
More Motornormativity with Marco te Brömmelstroet, aka "The Fietsprofessor"
NOTE: This episode was originally released as a . For more episodes like this, . We're an independent podcast and rely on listener support. Thanks! Marco te Brömmelstroet, also known as "The Fietsprofessor," returns to The War on Cars to discuss a new study he co-authored with , another former guest of the podcast. The study takes a look at a phenomenon where people accept the harms and risks associated with cars in ways they wouldn't in other areas of life. But unlike Dr. Walker's previoius study — and that of , another friend of The War on Cars — this new study asks where motonormativity comes from and examines the ways in which it manifests itself differently depending on factors such as where a person lives or their perceptions of the beliefs of their friends and family. The results are fascinating. Marco also studies language and how it affects people's perceptions of mobility and had a lot to say about how we can tell better stories about who and what our streets are for. ***Our new book, , will be published on October 21, 2025 by Thesis, an imprint of Penguin Random House. .*** This episode was produced with the generous support of the Helen & William Mazer Foundation. This episode was also supported by . Save 15% on the amazing with code WARONCARS at checkout. LINKS: a study by Marco te Brömmelstroet and Ian Walker. Read Marco's book, co-authored with journalist Thalia Verkade. . /
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Putting the Trans in Transit with Katelyn Burns
04/22/2025
Putting the Trans in Transit with Katelyn Burns
“Why are so many trans people into urban planning?” That’s the question independent journalist and co-host of the podcast Katelyn Burns asked her Bluesky followers, and she got an overwhelming response. Katelyn wrote up some of those answers in on , the feminist media outlet she recently co-founded and launched. It’s a thought-provoking read. We talked with Katelyn about the safety that trans people can find in dense cities, the “trans on trains” meme, and what the game Cities: Skylines has to do with all of this. And she discusses how the trans perspective can illuminate problems and solutions within urban systems. ***Our new book, , will be published on October 21, 2025 by Thesis, an imprint of Penguin Random House. .*** and receive exclusive access to ad-free versions of regular episodes, Patreon-only bonus content, Discord access, invitations to live events, merch discounts and free stickers! This episode was produced with the generous support of the Helen & William Mazer Foundation. This episode was also supported by . Listen to the episode for the latest discount on the best and most stylish rain gear for walking and cycling. Save 15% on the amazing with code WARONCARS at checkout. LINKS: Read and subscribe to . Check out . Find . Listen to the podcast. /
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TEASER: Why Fighting Tesla Matters with Ed Niedermeyer
04/15/2025
TEASER: Why Fighting Tesla Matters with Ed Niedermeyer
This is a preview of a . For complete access to this and all of our bonus content, plus ad-free versions of regular episodes, merch discounts, pre-sale tickets to live shows and more, . This is an excerpt from our interview with Ed Niedermeyer, the author of Ludicrous: The Unvarnished Story of Tesla Motors. Ed has been writing about Elon Musk for years, and he's been one of the billionaire's most astute critics since way back. We talked with Ed for our recent episode "Inside the Tesla Takedown Movement," about his involvement with the protest movement that has sprung up around the country at Tesla showrooms, targeting the destructive alliance between Musk and Donald Trump. Ed believes the protests are quite possibly the most effective tool we have right now to diminish Musk’s influence and power, and to counter the Trump regime. .
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Inside the Tesla Takedown Protests
04/08/2025
Inside the Tesla Takedown Protests
Since early February, a protest phenomenon has been building steadily across the United States, springing up at scores of Tesla dealerships from coast to coast. Organizers call it Tesla Takedown. It's remarkable in part because in today’s United States, we have engineered an environment that prioritizes automotive convenience and speed—and in the process deadens civic life and makes protest difficult. So it’s ironic that Tesla dealerships, many of them located in the worst kind of automotive sprawl, have emerged as crucial nodes in a decentralized network of resistance to Elon Musk and Donald Trump. In this episode, we talk to participants and organizers about what is motivating them. We also caught up with journalist Ed Niedermeyer, return guest of The War on Cars and author of Ludicrous: The Unvarnished Story of Tesla Motors, about what effect this could have on Tesla’s bottom line, and why it’s an effective tactic to weaken the hold that the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, has on the United States government. Note: This episode was recorded before the huge Hands Off protests of April 5th, 2025. Clearly, American protesters are starting to find their voice, and their space. *** and receive exclusive access to ad-free versions of regular episodes, Patreon-only bonus content, Discord access, invitations to live events, merch discounts and free stickers! *** This episode was produced with the generous support of the Helen & William Mazer Foundation. This episode was also supported by . Listen to the episode for the latest discount on the best and most stylish rain gear for walking and cycling. Save 15% on the amazing with code WARONCARS at checkout. LINKS: Find a protest near you. Check out Ed Niedermeyer’s podcast. Read Ed's book, Pick up . , including the amazing Arclight Pedals, with . This episode was edited by Ali Lemer. It was recorded by Justin Fernandez at the Brooklyn Podcasting Studio. Our theme music is by Nathaniel Goodyear. Transcripts are by Russell Gragg.
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TEASER: More Motonormativity with Marco Te Brommelstroet, aka "The Fietsprofessor."
03/25/2025
TEASER: More Motonormativity with Marco Te Brommelstroet, aka "The Fietsprofessor."
This is a preview of a . For complete access to this and all of our bonus content, plus ad-free versions of regular episodes, merch discounts, pre-sale tickets to live shows and more, . You may remember Marco te Brömmelstroet, also known as "The Fietsprofessor," from episode 65, Marco returns for this special bonus episode to discuss a new study he co-authored with , another former guest of the podcast. The study, takes a look at a phenomenon where people accept the harms and risks associated with cars in ways they wouldn't in other areas of life and asks where motonormativity comes from and examines the ways in which it manifests itself differently depending on factors such as where a person lives or their perceptions of the beliefs of their friends and family. The results are fascinating. Marco te Brömmelstroet holds the . He is the founding academic director of the and uses Dutch cycling culture as a lens to study the two-way relations between mobility, the city and society. He also the co-author, with journalist Thalia Verkade, of an excellent book, which challenges readers to radically rethink how we use public spaces and even the language to describe the change we want to see in the world. .
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Cars Bad, Tariffs Worse with David Zipper
03/18/2025
Cars Bad, Tariffs Worse with David Zipper
Trump’s on-again-off-again tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico are causing chaos across the entire economy, but they’re hitting the auto industry especially hard. The big three U.S. automakers rely on an integrated supply and manufacturing process that sees raw materials and parts crossing international borders multiple times before each finished car rolls off the assembly line. The tariffs come at a time when the cost of car ownership is already sky-high, and when trying to find an affordable sedan from a domestic manufacturer is essentially impossible. David Zipper, a Senior Fellow at the MIT Mobility Initiative, returns to the podcast to discuss the effects Trump’s economic “policies” (if you can call them that) are having on one of the nation’s most important industries. Needless to say, this isn’t how anyone should want to win the war on cars. *** and receive exclusive access to ad-free versions of regular episodes, Patreon-only bonus content, Discord access, invitations to live events, merch discounts and free stickers! *** This episode was produced with support from the Helen and William Mazer Foundation and . Listen to the episode for the latest discount on the best and most stylish rain gear for walking and cycling. Save 15% on the amazing with code WARONCARS at checkout. LINKS: Learn more about David and read his writing at . “Detroit killed the sedan. Trump’s trade war will make them wish they hadn’t” () “Why car companies should fear the golf cart” () “One of the Biggest Victims of Trump’s Metals Tariffs: The Ford F-150” () “Dealer Tells Fox Business ‘Nobody Is Gonna Buy’ Trucks Thanks to Tariffs”() Pick up . This episode was edited by Doug Gordon. It was recorded by Josh Wilcox at the Brooklyn Podcasting Studio. Our theme music is by Nathaniel Goodyear. Transcriptions are by Russell Gragg.
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Riding the UK's Cycle Network with Laura Laker
03/11/2025
Riding the UK's Cycle Network with Laura Laker
Laura Laker is a London-based freelance journalist who specializes in writing about cycling and urban transport. We talked with her about the year she spent riding around Britain on the United Kingdom’s 13,000-mile National Cycle Network—an enlightening and often hilarious odyssey that she documents in her , Potholes and Pavements: A Bumpy Ride on Britain’s National Cycle Network. We also got into her work in formulating and promoting the UK’s first Road Collision Reporting Guidelines, which detail best practices for the media and planning professionals to talk about road crashes and their prevention. *** and receive exclusive access to ad-free versions of regular episodes, Patreon-only bonus content, invitations to live events, merch discounts and free stickers! *** This episode was produced with support from the Helen and William Mazer Foundation and . Listen to the episode for the latest discount on the best and most stylish rain gear for walking and cycling. Save . LINKS: Find out . Buy Laura’s book, , at our . Check out the that Laura helped write. Learn more about the UK’s and Sustrans, the nonprofit that promotes and maintains it. Pick up . This episode was edited by Ali Lemer. It was recorded by Josh Wilcox at the Brooklyn Podcasting Studio. Our theme music is by Nathaniel Goodyear. Transcriptions are by Russell Gragg.
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Trump v. Congestion Pricing
02/27/2025
Trump v. Congestion Pricing
Can you believe this is our about congestion pricing? This time, we’re responding to the Trump administration’s attack on the program, which has been , that policymakers had hoped for. Despite those early signs of success, on Wednesday, February 19th, Sean Duffy, the new US DOT Secretary, sent an email to New York Governor Hochul saying that he was rescinding approval of the tolling plan. President Trump gloated about the move on social media, writing “.” Hochul fired back that New York “hasn't labored under a king in over 250 years” and said she’d . And things have just escalated from there! With us to discuss it all is reporter Dave Colon, who has been covering the congestion pricing saga for and is known (to himself among others) as “America’s beloved congestion pricing expert.” *** and receive exclusive access to ad-free versions of regular episodes, Patreon-only bonus content, invitations to live events, merch discounts and free stickers! *** If you’re in the New York area and are looking for a new e-bike, check out the . You’ll score deep discounts on e-bikes from all the major brands. Tell ‘em The War on Cars sent you. LINKS: Catch up on all the latest congestion pricing news from Dave and the rest of the team . See in which he explains why DOT Secretary Sean Duffy is wrong about congestion pricing. Pick up . Purchase books from podcast guests and support independent booksellers at . This episode was edited by Doug Gordon. It was recorded by Walter Nordquist at the . Our theme music is by Nathaniel Goodyear. Transcriptions are by Russell Gragg.
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What's Happening with Federal Transportation Dollars?
02/25/2025
What's Happening with Federal Transportation Dollars?
The Trump administration has upended the entire United States government over the last several weeks, sending Elon Musk and his minions into the guts of pretty much every federal department in a crusade for what they’re calling “efficiency.” Funds that were legally appropriated by Congress have been frozen, and in some cases even clawed back. The battle to preserve all sorts of spending is now in the courts. What does this all mean for federal funding of public transit, bike and pedestrian infrastructure, and the transition to EVs? And what is DOT Secretary Sean Duffy’s “Woke Rescission Memo”? We talked with Beth Osborne, executive director of the advocacy organization Transportation for America, to help us understand what’s at stake and how we can help defend projects we care about in our own communities. (Spoiler alert: It won’t be easy!) *** and receive exclusive access to ad-free versions of regular episodes, Patreon-only bonus content, invitations to live events, merch discounts and free stickers! *** This episode was produced with support from the Helen and William Mazer Foundation and . Listen to the episode for the latest discount on the best and most stylish rain gear for walking and cycling. *** If you’re in the New York area and are looking for a new e-bike, check out the . You’ll score deep discounts on e-bikes from all the major brands. Tell ‘em The War on Cars sent you. *** LINKS: has to help you understand the federal funding picture . Some terms Beth mentions in the interview that might be unfamiliar: (pronounced ICE-T) is an acronym referring to the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991, which fundamentally restructured the way federal transportation funds are disbursed. You can read more about it . (Brookings) refers to a Biden-era policy initiative aiming to direct 40 percent of federal investments in areas like climate, clean energy, and affordable housing to disadvantaged, disinvested communities that suffer disproportionately from pollution. Pick up . Purchase books from podcast guests and support independent booksellers at . This episode was edited by Ali Lemer. It was recorded by Josh Wilcox at the Brooklyn Podcasting Studio. Our theme music is by Nathaniel Goodyear. Transcriptions are by Russell Gragg.
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TEASER: Live with City Nerd!
02/18/2025
TEASER: Live with City Nerd!
This is a preview of a . For complete access to this and all of our bonus content, plus ad-free versions of regular episodes, merch discounts, pre-sale tickets to live shows and more, . Last month we had the pleasure of sharing the stage with Ray Delahanty, aka , for a live show presented by the Hunter College School of Urban Policy & Planning in New York. Our conversation with Ray covered everything from New York City exceptionalism to the latest data about congestion pricing. Plus, we surveyed the audience about their transportation choices and answered questions from Patreon supporters. We're big fans of City Nerd and were so delighted to work with Ray on this live show. We love partnering with local advocacy organizations, non-profits, and educational institutions for live events, so if you'd like to host The War on Cars in your city, please reach out! .
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Super Bowl Roundup with Rollie Williams and Nicole Conlan
02/11/2025
Super Bowl Roundup with Rollie Williams and Nicole Conlan
It’s the CXLIVth episode of The War on Cars, and just like in years past we’re taking a look at the ads that aired during the Super Bowl. This year, there weren’t a whole lot of ads specifically designed to sell cars and trucks, but there was still plenty of car-adjacent stuff to talk about—from ads highlighting the urban/suburban divide to an amazing halftime show from Kendrick Lamar featuring a Buick GNX. Rollie Williams (Climate Town) and Nicole Conlan (The Climate Denier’s Playbook, The Daily Show) join us to talk about some of the commercials that aired during the big game and what they say about the state of our culture, our climate, and our politics. *** and receive exclusive access to bonus content, ad-free versions of regular episodes, free stickers, merch discounts, early access to live shows, and more. *** Get tickets to our , presented by . This episode was produced with support from the Helen and William Mazer Foundation and . Listen for the latest discount on the best and most stylish rain gear for walking and cycling. LINKS: Watch . Listen to . Check out . Here’s how for his halftime show. (Wired) Missed this year’s ads? You can . an ad for Jeep. “Car Brands Have Been Pumping the Brakes on Super Bowl Ads” () Why . (CBS News) Read by Mike Davis and pick up other books in our . .
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RE-RELEASE: The High Cost of Free Parking with Donald Shoup
02/08/2025
RE-RELEASE: The High Cost of Free Parking with Donald Shoup
Donald Shoup, a towering figure in the world of urban planning and a distinguished professor emeritus at the UCLA Luskin School of Public affairs, died this week. He was 86 years old. As a tribute to such an influential, brilliant, and witty scholar, we are re-releasing this episode from 2023. ---- Parking is at the heart of every fight about how we build our cities and towns, with effects that go far beyond transportation. Minimum parking requirements — laws that dictate how many parking spaces are required for various types of buildings and businesses — make housing more expensive, raise the price of goods and services and exacerbate sprawl, making congestion and the climate crisis much, much worse. Thankfully, a movement is afoot to end parking minimums, inspired by the work of Donald Shoup. Shoup, the Distinguished Research Professor at UCLA’s Department of Urban Planning, is the author of the 2005 book The High Cost of Free Parking. It’s an invaluable resource for anyone who wants to understand the problems with parking. Professor Shoup — aka the Shoup Dogg — joins us for a spirited conversation about how to win what he calls “the war on parking subsidies.” You can find the full transcript of this episode . and receive exclusive access to ad-free versions of regular episodes, Patreon-only bonus content, invitations to live events, merch discounts and free stickers! LINKS: Learn all about Donald Shoup at . Read . Join and end parking requirements where you live. Donald Shoup gets animated on . This episode was produced by Doug Gordon, edited by Ali Lemer, and recorded by Josh Wilcox of the . Our theme music is by Nathaniel Goodyear. Transcripts are by Russell Gragg.
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TEASER: The Romance of the Automobile
01/28/2025
TEASER: The Romance of the Automobile
This is a preview of a . For complete access to this and all of our bonus content, plus ad-free versions of regular episodes, merch discounts, pre-sale tickets to live shows, and more, . You’ve probably heard us talking about how we have written a book that will be coming out this fall. We are super excited to share more about that very soon. We’ve spent a lot of the last year in the research and writing process. And what became apparent very soon was that there were a lot of things that we weren’t going to be able to fit into the book, no matter how hard we tried. So we put together a little bonus episode for you on one of the fascinating things we found that just didn’t make the final draft. It’s a book called The Romance of the Automobile Industry: Being the Story of Its Development—Its Contribution to Health and Prosperity—Its Influence on Eugenics—Its Effect on Personal Efficiency—and Its Service and Mission to Humanity as the Latest and Greatest Phase of Transportation. Published in 1916, it’s essentially a 460-page ad, lavishly illustrated with pictures of bewhiskered white men and their inventions. And even after all the time we’ve spent thinking about cars, this book still had some surprises. (And yes, you read that right…he talks about eugenics. We’ll explain.) Subscribe on Patreon for access to the whole bonus episode!
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Biden's Transportation Legacy with Dani Simons
01/21/2025
Biden's Transportation Legacy with Dani Simons
As the new Trump regime begins, we talked with Dani Simons—who until recently led the Office of Public Affairs for the federal Department of Transportation—about the Biden administration’s legacy on transportation. What are the stakes as we go from Amtrak Joe and DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg to an administration made up of oil barrels disguised as people? What are the last four years’ biggest achievements on the transportation front? How do we communicate better about federal investments in active transportation? And how do we hold onto the hard-fought policies aimed at pedestrian safety and mitigating the climate crisis? This episode was recorded at the by Justin Fernandez. It was edited by Ali Lemer. Our theme music is by Nathaniel Goodyear. Transcriptions are by Russell Gragg. *** and receive exclusive access to bonus content, ad-free versions of regular episodes, free stickers, merch discounts, early access to live shows, and more. *** , presented by . LINKS: The Wall Street Journal’s Dorothy Rabinowitz and the (original video ) New York City’s and Michael Bloomberg’s And if you were wondering what Dani meant when she said “NHTSA,” that’s the .
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