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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CHANGING HOLLYWOOD’S CAR CULTURE WITH ED BEGLEY JR.
12/03/2024
CHANGING HOLLYWOOD’S CAR CULTURE WITH ED BEGLEY JR.
From mockumentaries to dramas to situation comedies, Ed Begley Jr. has done it all. His truly one-of-a-kind acting career has seen him work with some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including Jack Nicholson, Meryl Streep, and more. But beyond his impressive resume, Ed Begley Jr. is also known for his environmental activism. He's probably the most famous person to have owned some version of an electric vehicle for a lot longer than most people have even been aware of EVs. Ed has been been committed to environmental conservation since at least the 1970s, and he’s designed his life so that it's as free of fossil fuels as possible, with solar panels on the roof, an e-bike in the garage, and a house chosen for its proximity to transit. Notably, he’s taken the LA Metro to the Academy Awards, making a statement in an industry and a city where fancy cars and conspicuous consumption are signs of success. In this fun conversation, Ed Begley Jr. invites us into his home to talk about his work, his activism, and his philosophy about life. *** and receive access to ad-free versions of all our episodes, special bonus content, stickers, merch discounts, and more. Plus, get pre-sale access to our upcoming live show in New York with CityNerd! *** This episode was produced with the generous support of the Helen & William Mazer Foundation. Check out the latest offerings from our friends at and . LINKS: Buy Ed Begley Jr.’s memoir, at our . Hayden Begley documented . The Actor Who Who Rides the Subway to the Oscars (s) Support by becoming a member. . This episode was edited by Doug Gordon. It was recorded by Avishay Artsy. Transcriptions are by Russell Gragg. Our theme music is by Nathaniel Goodyear.
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TEASER: Doug Ford and Ontario's War on Bikes
11/19/2024
TEASER: Doug Ford and Ontario's War on Bikes
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, . Back in 2010, the notoriously pugnacious Toronto mayor Rob Ford declared that “the war on the car is over,” and vowed to halt the city’s expansion of bike lanes, transit, and anything that inconvenienced motorists even slightly. Fourteen years later, his brother — Ontario Premier Doug Ford — has continued the family crusade against bike lanes. The Ford government is pushing a bill that would require provincial approval of all bike lanes that repurpose car lanes. If it succeeds, it will have a chilling effect on the ability of cities and towns of all sizes to manage their streets and keep people safe. Plus, a handful of existing bike lanes could be ripped out. Journalist Sabrina Nanji, a veteran of the Queen’s Park Press Gallery and the founder of the Queens Park Observer joins us to talk about the politics behind Doug Ford’s war on bikes.
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Election Extra
11/15/2024
Election Extra
We’re not going to sugarcoat it. That election was tough. But there are some points of hope that can help us make our way forward. We got together in the studio to look at victories around the country for transit and safe streets, and to discuss how we can all hang in there together and continue making positive change in our communities. *** and receive access to ad-free versions of all our episodes, special bonus content, stickers, merch discounts, and more *** LINKS: The good news from Nashville () The good news from Seattle () wins Seattle City Council seat The good news from San Francisco () New York legalizes jaywalking () This episode was edited by Ali Lemer. It was recorded by Josh Wilcox at the Brooklyn Podcasting Studio. Transcriptions are by Russell Gragg. Our theme music is by Nathaniel Goodyear.
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"Cars are Done" with Adam McKay
11/12/2024
"Cars are Done" with Adam McKay
Adam McKay is the Academy Award–winning screenwriter, director, and producer behind such movies as Don’t Look Up, The Big Short, Vice, Anchorman, Talladega Nights, and more. He is also the founder of Yellow Dot Studios, a nonprofit production studio that raises awareness and mobilizes action on the climate emergency. Adam joins us to discuss his career and the existential anxiety that led him to write and direct the star-studded Don’t Look Up, one of the most successful Netflix movies of all time. We also hear about the books, films, and music that inspired him, and why humor is a useful tool for tackling serious subjects. Plus: Adam's relationship with driving, the power of visual storytelling, and why he thinks the age of the car is already over… even if most people don’t know it yet. Thank you to and for their support. For the latest discount codes, listen to the episode. *** and receive access to ad-free versions of all our episodes, special bonus content, stickers, merch discounts, and more *** SHOW NOTES: Check out and all the excellent work from . () Books, movies, and music mentioned in this episode: by Britt Wray; by Neal Postman; by Rebecca Solnit; and by Scott Carney & Jason Miklian (1957); (1964); and (2009) ; ; ; ; and ***** Pick up . Purchase books from podcast guests at . This episode was edited by Ali Lemer. It was recorded by Kaden Pryor at in Los Angeles. Transcriptions are by Russell Gragg. Our theme music is by Nathaniel Goodyear. Sound effects from the © 2024 BBC.
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EXTRA: Cars as a Virus with Hermann Knoflacher
10/29/2024
EXTRA: Cars as a Virus with Hermann Knoflacher
***This is a bonus episode that was previously only available to . If you want to hear more bonus episodes like this, ! We’ll taking a very short break to work on our book and will be back with brand new episodes in November.*** Perhaps you’ve seen pictures of a person walking around in a large, wearable wooden frame meant to illustrate the space taken up by one person in a private automobile. That’s the gehzeug — or walkmobile — and it was invented by the Austrian civil engineer and professor Hermann Knoflacher. Professor Knoflacher, 84, is the head of the Institute of Transportation at the Vienna University of Technology. Long before the current global pandemic, he compared cars to a virus. Rather than searching for vaccines and other ways to fight this particular threat, humanity has actively helped the spread of cars, much to the detriment of the built environment, human health and safety, and even our future on this planet. It’s a provocative analogy, but Knoflacher makes a compelling case. SHOW NOTES: The Car Is Like A Virus, Says Urban Planner But This Is One Pandemic That Politicians Can Prevent () Excellent Uber Ad Distills the Problem With Uber in Crowded Cities () "Driving is worse than an addiction" (In German: ) "The driver is absolutely anti-social" (In German: ) "Vienna has been my patient for decades" (In German: ) Virus Auto (Hermn
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TEASER: Winnipeg Bike Mayor Patty Wiens
10/15/2024
TEASER: Winnipeg Bike Mayor Patty Wiens
This is a preview of a Patreon-exclusive bonus episode. For complete access to this and all of our bonus content, . is the Bike Mayor of Winnipeg in Manitoba, Canada. We met Patty on our trip to Edmonton for the back in February and were really struck with her energy and drive as an advocate for people who ride bikes in her city. We talked with Patty about how she became a Bike Mayor and how people in Winnipeg are organizing to create better streets for people in a very car-centric place. She also told us about how the community has been protesting against recent traffic violence in the city, including one case in which an Indigenous woman named Tammy Bateman was struck and killed by police driving through a city park. Thanks to Ali Lemer for editing this episode. If you aren't yet a Patreon subscriber of The War on Cars, maybe now is the time! for $3, $5, or $10 per month. We’ll send you stickers and you’ll have access to ad-free episodes and bonus conversations like this one. We really appreciate the support, and we couldn’t produce the podcast without you.
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Key to the City with Sara Bronin
10/01/2024
Key to the City with Sara Bronin
Zoning is an invisible force that dictates how and where we can build housing, offices, factories, parks and more. It dictates how we access such places and can reinforce car dependency, often in ways that burden the communities that can least afford it, reinforce segregation, and exacerbate climate change and other environmental harms. In her new book, Key to the City: How Zoning Shapes our World, author Sara Bronin argues that zoning does not have to lead to negative outcomes, and that if we understand its power, we can use zoning to build the kinds of communities everyone deserves. Bronin dives into the history of zoning and tells the stories of the many activists and planners in cities such as Hartford, Baltimore and Minneapolis who have learned to harness zoning for good. *** for ad-free versions of regular episodes and access to exclusive bonus content. Plus, we’ll send you stickers. *** LINKS: Pick up and . Learn more about . Get . This episode was edited by Ali Lemer. It was recorded by Josh Wilcox at the Brooklyn Podcasting Studio. Transcriptions are by Russell Gragg. Our theme music is by Nathaniel Goodyear.
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TEASER: When Athletes Ditch the Car
09/24/2024
TEASER: When Athletes Ditch the Car
This is a preview of a Patreon-exclusive bonus episode. For complete access to this and all of our bonus content, . During the recent US Open Tennis Championships in New York City, top-seeded American player Jessica Pegula got some attention when she posted an Instagram reel showing her taking the subway from Manhattan to the event venue in Queens. “I don't like taking a car, and I like trains,” she said. “So I always try and take the train.” We can relate. Pegula’s post inspired us to have a discussion about other sports stars who, at least occasionally, like to skip the luxury SUV or Lamborghini in favor of non-car modes (LeBron!)—and why we should care about it. (As for Pegula, opting for the subway obviously didn’t hurt her tournament one bit—she made it to the final, her first time to do so in a Grand Slam!) If you aren't yet a Patreon subscriber of The War on Cars, maybe now is the time! Subscribe for $3, $5, or $10 per month. We’ll send you stickers and you’ll have access to ad-free episodes and bonus conversations like this one. We really appreciate the support, and we couldn’t produce the podcast without you.
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Project 2025 and the Stakes for Transportation
09/17/2024
Project 2025 and the Stakes for Transportation
There’s been a lot of talk this election season about Project 2025, the initiative from the Heritage Foundation to prepare for a potential second Trump administration. Understandably, much of the conversation about Project 2025 has been about the stakes for abortion access, rights for LGBTQ+ people, protections for civil servants, the Department of Education, Social Security and much more. But there’s also a 10-page chapter about the Department of Transportation, written by a former Trump administration official, that outlines a lot of ideas and plans that could spell doom for many vital progressive transportation projects, change how funding is distributed, and deeply harm the nation's ability to address climate change. Kevin DeGood, the director of Infrastructure Policy at the Center for American Progress, joins us to walk through what’s in this document and what’s at stake for transportation in this election. *** to receive access to ad-free versions of all our episodes, special bonus content, stickers, and more! *** This episode was sponsored by . Listen to the episode for the latest discount codes. * * * * LINKS: VOTE! . Learn more about . Project 2025 author: . Really? Subscribe to our . Follow The War on Cars on , , , and . . It helps people find us! * * * * * 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 . Transcriptions are by Russell Gragg. Our theme music is by Nathaniel Goodyear.
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What We Did on Our Summer Vacation, featuring Rick Steves
09/03/2024
What We Did on Our Summer Vacation, featuring Rick Steves
Why do Americans spend lots of money to visit walkable, bikeable, transit-friendly European cities, only to come back to the U.S. and oppose all those things where they live? Rick Steves has some thoughts. Countless people know and love the popular travel writer for his guidebooks and long-running television programs, which encourage people to explore Europe’s “backdoor” destinations—those off-the-beaten-path locations that have just as much or more to offer than its more touristy cities and sights. Rick takes a thoughtful and philosophical approach to travel and believes it offers people important lessons for becoming better global citizens. He is also an activist and philanthropist who believes in the power of local advocacy; he has funded affordable housing in his hometown of Edmonds, Washington, and is pursuing a one-man effort to turn a downtown roundabout into an Italian-style piazza. Please note: This episode was recorded before Rick announced his . We wish him all the best and many more years of inspiring people to explore the world. * * * * * *** and receive ad-free versions of regular episodes and exclusive bonus content. Plus, we’ll send you stickers.*** This episode was produced with support from and . Listen for the latest discount codes. * * * * * LINKS Learn more about . Pick up a copy of Rick’s book Travel as a Political Act and the 40th edition of his travel guide as well as books by other podcast guests at . “When he’s not traveling around Europe, writing about Europe or running his multimillion-dollar European tour company, the prolific TV host and author likes to squeeze in some local activism.” () Rick Steves Wants to Set You Free () , the Norwegian movement Rick mentions in the episode. * * * * * . Follow The War on Cars on , , , and . . It helps people find us! This episode was edited by Ali Lemer. It was recorded by Justin Fernandez at the . Transcriptions are by Russell Gragg. Our theme music is by Nathaniel Goodyear.
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TEASER: Voices of Velo-city
08/20/2024
TEASER: Voices of Velo-city
This is a preview of a Patreon-exclusive bonus episode. For complete access to this and all of our bonus content, . In June, Doug attended Velo-city, an annual cycling summit hosted by the European Cyclists' Federation that brings the bike world together. This year's conference was held in the Belgian city of Ghent. While there, Doug wandered the exhibition floor talking with people from all over the world — including elected officials, city planners, advocates, industry representatives, academics and bike-curious regular citizens — about why it was important for them to attend Velo-city and what lessons and knowledge they hoped to take home. As you'll hear in this bonus episode, the fight to make cities safer, more sustainable and more equitable truly is a global effort. Thanks to the European Cyclists' Federation for having The War on Cars at Velo-City and to Ali Lemer for editing this episode.
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Listener Origin Stories (Patreon Bonus Re-Release)
08/06/2024
Listener Origin Stories (Patreon Bonus Re-Release)
Episode 133: Listener Origin Stories (Patreon bonus re-release) We’re taking a short break to work on our forthcoming book and some of our upcoming fall shows. We’ll be back with new free episodes in early September. In the meantime, please enjoy this re-release of our Patreon bonus episode from December 26, 2023. You can get all of our Patreon bonus episodes and more subscriber-only content – plus stickers! – by signing up to support us at . (A new Patreon-exclusive bonus episode will be released in two weeks.) * * * * * Last November we told you . Everything from early driving lessons to our experience living in car-dependent places has informed our journey to becoming radicalized, so to speak, into The War on Cars. Now it's your turn! We put out the call to our Patreon supporters for their origin stories, and — wow! — did you deliver. We heard from people all over the world about how they began to see the problems with car dominance, with stories ranging from gradual realizations to sudden epiphanies. Plus, we heard from a few friends and former guests of the podcast. (Not all heroes wear capes, but one you'll hear from at the top of the show .) Honestly, we were so impressed and inspired by everyone's stories. We often tell people that we have the smartest and most engaged audience in podcasting and this episode is undeniable proof of that. Thank you for all you do in your neck of the woods to fight for safety, sustainability, equity, and more. * * * * * Thank you to and for their support. For the latest discount codes, listen to the episode. *** and you'll be tipped off to listener participation episodes like this one, and receive access to ad-free versions of all our episodes, special bonus content, stickers, and more! *** * * * * * Pick up podcast tees and other merch in . 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. Transcriptions are by Russell Gragg. Our theme music is by Nathaniel Goodyear.
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TEASER: Walking 4,000 Miles with Holden Ringer
07/30/2024
TEASER: Walking 4,000 Miles with Holden Ringer
This is a preview of a Patreon-exclusive bonus episode. For complete access to this and all of our bonus content, . This month’s exclusive Patreon bonus episode is an interview with Holden Ringer, who recently finished walking more than 4,000 miles across the country from the starting point of LaPush, Washington. Holden is a 26-year-old originally from Dallas, Texas, and he used his odyssey to fundraise for the organization America Walks, as well as to raise awareness about active transportation and meet with fellow-minded advocates along the way. As he says, “Advocacy is built into the activity.” Not long after he reached the Atlantic Ocean in May, we sat in New York’s Bryant Park and talked about what he saw and learned during his year-plus odyssey on America’s roads, pushing a stroller he named Smiley.
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Vehicular Cycling and John Forester, Part 2
07/23/2024
Vehicular Cycling and John Forester, Part 2
NOTE: This is part two of a two-part episode. To hear both parts right now and without ads, . In part two of our deep dive on John Forester and his 1976 book Effective Cycling, we take a look at the paltry data and research underpinning the alleged safety benefits of vehicular cycling and the long-term impact Forester had on cycling for transportation in the United States. Even though cities such as New York started building protected bicycle lanes in earnest in the late 2000s and early 2010s — and even though quality bike infrastructure has existed in places such as Davis, California for decades — John Forester's legacy continued well into the 21st century, with federal guides such as AASHTO's "Green Book" discouraging or even prohibiting things such as parking-protected bikeways until as recently as 2018. On top of that, many of Forester's disciples held positions atop major advocacy organizations and city bike planning departments for years, and used their influence to prevent the construction of protected bike lanes. In a lot of ways, we're still pedaling in the world John Forester created. This episode was sponsored by and . Listen to the episode for the latest discount codes. LINKS/SOURCES Read in conversation with John Forester, via . takes on John Forester. STUDY: . PAPER: Schultheiss, Sanders, and Toole, 2018 , Streetsblog 2016 , Streetsblog 2018 , by Carlton Reid in Forbes Read . Read . How the former Dallas bicycle coordinator held back cycling infrastructure for years, via Dallas' Former Bike Czar Tells Newbie Riders to Go Play in Traffic, via Access . If you're a glutton for punishment, . Grab some ! This episode was edited by Yessenia Moreno. It was recorded by Josh Wilcox at the .
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Vehicular Cycling and John Forester, Part 1
07/09/2024
Vehicular Cycling and John Forester, Part 1
NOTE: This is part one of a two-part episode. To hear both parts right now and without ads, . "Cyclists fare best when they act and are treated as drivers of vehicles." That quote is the core philosophy of John Forester, the father of vehicular cycling. Forester, who died in 2020, was a major figure in the the world of cycling advocacy and transportation policy, and his influence shaped street design and bicycle safety in the United States for decades. We take a deep dive into Forester's 1976 book, Effective Cycling. Part guidebook, part encyclopedia, part polemic, Effective Cycling explains why cyclists should not be afraid to ride not just in traffic, but as traffic. Throughout the book, Forester dismisses anyone who might be afraid of taking the lane with fast-moving cars and trucks as suffering from what he calls the "cyclist inferiority complex" and asserts that only a strict adherence to the principles of vehicular cycling can keep everyone safe. Who was John Forester? What is vehicular cycling? Why are we talking about a book that was published almost fifty years ago? It's all here in this mega episode. This episode was sponsored by and . Listen for the latest discount codes. LINKS/SOURCES Read in conversation with John Forester, via . takes on John Forester. STUDY: . PAPER: Schultheiss, Sanders, and Toole, 2018 , Streetsblog 2016 , Streetsblog 2018 , by Carlton Reid in Forbes Read . Read . How the former Dallas bicycle coordinator held back cycling infrastructure for years, via Dallas' Former Bike Czar Tells Newbie Riders to Go Play in Traffic, via Access . If you're a glutton for punishment, . Grab some ! This episode was edited by Yessenia Moreno. It was recorded by Josh Wilcox at the .
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Critical Mass Nairobi with Cyprine Odada
07/02/2024
Critical Mass Nairobi with Cyprine Odada
Cyprine Odada is the Executive Director of Critical Mass Nairobi and an urban planner specializing in active mobility. Ever since founding the Kenyan capital’s chapter of Critical Mass, the largest gathering of non-competitive cyclists in Africa, Cyprine has helped get more people on bikes from different neighborhoods, ages, and social and economic groups, changing the perception of who rides a bike in Nairobi and building more political support for bike infrastructure in a city where cars dominate. By focusing on the joy of cycling and the way in which the bicycle can connect people and create community, Cyprine is doing what she can to transform Nairobi into a cycling city, inspiring other African cities along the way. This episode was recorded on the floor of the in Ghent in June 2024. ***.*** LINKS: Watch Learn more about Follow Learn more about the Grab some . This episode was produced and edited by Doug Gordon.
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Killed by a Traffic Engineer
06/25/2024
Killed by a Traffic Engineer
Because it has the word “engineering” right in there, the field of traffic engineering is something most people assume is governed by science and rational rules. But a new book, written by a traffic engineer himself, argues that is not the case at all. In , Wes Marshall — a professor of civil engineering at the University of Colorado Denver — says that the idea that the design of our transportation system is based on science couldn't be further from the truth. By examining a century's worth of history, studies, old professional journals and current standards, Marshall argues that his colleagues need to do some deep soul searching about the rules they follow so that they no longer design a system that kills tens of thousands of people per year. ***. *** This episode was sponsored by and . Listen for the latest discount codes. Pick up a copy of and at our official . Grab some ! This episode was edited by Yessenia Moreno. It was recorded by Josh Wilcox at the .
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Women's Freedom to Ride
06/11/2024
Women's Freedom to Ride
Why don’t more women ride bicycles in London? The advocacy group wanted to know, and so they asked. What they discovered was disturbing: Among more than a thousand women surveyed, nine out of ten said they experienced verbal abuse and aggression while biking. Ninety-three percent said drivers had used vehicles to intimidate them. One in five said they had given up riding permanently or temporarily after they had been harassed. And when women reported incidents of aggression to the police? The cops almost never followed up. We spoke with the London Cycling Campaign’s Kate Bartlett about what women face on the road and what advocates are doing to make cycling safer and more accessible for all. *** . *** This episode was sponsored by and . Listen to the episode for the latest discount codes. LINKS: Check out the London Cycling Campaign’s . Pick up The War on Cars t-shirts, stickers and more . Purchase books from podcast guests and support independent booksellers at .
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Kathy Hochul's Congestion Pricing Flip-Flop Fiasco
06/07/2024
Kathy Hochul's Congestion Pricing Flip-Flop Fiasco
In this emergency episode, we discuss New York State Governor Kathy Hochul's 11th-hour decision to "indefinitely suspend" congestion pricing, the program that would have charged drivers to enter Manhattan below 60th Street. Her move, announced in a prerecorded video on Wednesday, June 5th, came mere weeks before congestion pricing was set to launch, jeopardizing what was set to be a major funding source for transit and a revolutionary plan to reduce traffic in a way never seen before in the United States. Why did Hochul do this? Is it bad politics or atrociously bad politics? What does this mean for the future of the New York City subway system, commuter rail, accessibility, the environment, the economy and even democracy itself? More importantly, we discuss what you can do if you live or work in the New York metropolitan area and want to see Hochul's flip flop reversed. We also discuss what effect this could have on cities across the U.S. that might be considering a congestion pricing program of their own. WARNING: We swear a lot in this one. . You'll receive access to exclusive bonus episodes, ad-free versions of regular episodes, free stickers and more. We depend on listener support, HELP SAVE CONGESTION PRICING: and tell her to implement congestion pricing as planned: Local advocacy organizations have their own calls to action and can help you contact elected officials: SHOW NOTES: House Democrats pressured Hochul to tank congestion pricing. () Noto a whole lotta teachers drive into Manhattan. () Read Aaron's take on Representative Hakeem Jeffries and congestion pricing from 2008. () Hear our original thoughts on congestion pricing back in . This episode was recorded at the by Josh Wilcox. It was edited by Doug Gordon.
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TEASER: The War on The War on Cars
05/28/2024
TEASER: The War on The War on Cars
This is a preview of a Patreon-exclusive bonus episode. For complete access to this and all of our bonus content, . For this month's exclusive Patreon bonus episode, we take a look at three states that have attempted to ban everything from bus rapid transit to taxing driving by vehicle miles traveled. While most of these initiatives have failed, one of these states successfully banned bus wraps, but not because bus wraps make it harder to see out of bus windows. What is going on? We take a look at recent news from Indiana, Arizona and Florida.
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Winter Cycling in Oil Country
05/21/2024
Winter Cycling in Oil Country
An unlikely cycling revolution is happening in one of the coldest big cities on the planet: Edmonton, Alberta. Despite freezing temps, lots of sprawl, big trucks and an economy built on pulling oil out of the Albertan tar sands, the Western Canadian city is in the midst of a four-year, $100 million CAD investment in active transportation that will connect far-flung neighborhoods with a network of safe, high-quality, protected bike lanes. Many of these bike lanes will even get priority over roads for cars when it comes to snow removal. We traveled to the home of the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers to attend the Winter Cycling Congress, where we talked with the people pushing for this transformation, including the city’s former mayor, Don Iveson. Plus, hear our appearance on drive-time radio in the heart of oil country. *** . *** This episode was sponsored by and . Listen to the episode for the latest discount codes. LINKS: says Edmonton is Learn more about and . Check out and . Read all about the . Learn more about and check out on YouTube. Lorne Gunter of the Edmonton Sun thinks Buy toques, t-shirts, stickers and more in . Save 10% with code BIKEMONTH. Find us on , , , and . Leave us a review on . It helps people find us! This episode was recorded by Josh Wilcox at the . It was edited by and Ali Lemer. Our theme music is by Nathaniel Goodyear.
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When Driving Is Not an Option with Anna Zivarts
05/07/2024
When Driving Is Not an Option with Anna Zivarts
The United States has built a transportation system centered around automobiles. But one-third of the nation’s population can’t drive, whether because of disability, age, financial hardship, immigration status, or any of a host of other factors. Those tens of millions of people are often invisible to planners and elected officials, and that’s why Anna Letitia Zivarts, herself a low-vision nondriver and a longtime activist for better transportation choices, has written a new book titled When Driving Is Not an Option: Steering Away from Car Dependency (Island Press). We talked with Anna about how, by designing our transportation future for those who can’t or don’t feel comfortable driving, we could build a system that works better for everyone and that would be more equitable, safer, and more environmentally sustainable. *** . *** This episode was sponsored by . Listen to the episode for the latest discount code. LINKS: Buy Anna Zivarts’s book, When Driving Is Not an Option: Steering Away from Car Dependency, at or from your local bookseller. You can . Buy t-shirts, stickers, hats and more in . It's Bike Month so . Find us on , , , and . Leave us a review on . It helps people find us! This episode was recorded by Josh Wilcox at the . It was edited by Ali Lemer. Our theme music is by Nathaniel Goodyear.
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TEASER: Dodge’s “Deeply Weird” Pitch for Electric Muscle Cars
04/25/2024
TEASER: Dodge’s “Deeply Weird” Pitch for Electric Muscle Cars
***This is a preview of a Patreon-exclusive bonus episode. For complete access to this and all of our bonus content, .*** We were getting ready to record our "" episode with Ed Niedermeyer last month when Ed happened to bring to our attention to . It's a promotional video for Dodge's new, "Next-Gen Charger," the electric-powered version of the very same "muscle cars" that Doug confronted at the New York International Auto Show in Episode and Aaron rode along with back in Episodes and . The move from gas-guzzling, window-rattling, V8 engines to electric motors has clearly plunged Dodge into an identity crisis. They spent decades building their brand on obnoxiously loud and dangerously sociopathic gas guzzlers. How will they ever convince their loutish loyal customers to switch over to (supposedly) clean, quiet, big government-mandated electric cars? In this video we get an answer to that question. Dodge CEO Tim Kuniskis is going to try to sell his muscle e-cars with rightwing dog whistles and a Make Dodge Great Again pitch. But he barely even sounds like he has convinced himself. A lot like Elon Musk's Cybertruck marketing, the Dodge promo video is simultaneously super weird and extremely revealing about what American car culture is really all about. We had some extra time with Ed in the studio so we had to talk about it with him. And we put that together for as a Patreon bonus. If you aren't yet a Patreon subscriber of The War on Cars, maybe now is the time! Subscribe for $3, $5, or $10 per month. We’ll send you stickers and you’ll have access to ad-free episodes and bonus conversations like this one. We really appreciate the support. We couldn’t produce the podcast without you.
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Tesla Cybertrash with Ed Niedermeyer
04/16/2024
Tesla Cybertrash with Ed Niedermeyer
Elon Musk’s gigantic, stainless steel, 1980s sci fi movie–inspired Cybertruck is starting to show up on city streets. Perhaps you’ve had the misfortune of seeing one rolling through your neighborhood. If not, you’ve almost certainly seen some of the vehicle’s many truly epic fails on the Internet. The Cybertruck might not work very well, but it still appears to be wildly popular. More than two million people have deposited $250 to get in line for the opportunity to buy one. Journalist Ed Niedermeyer is the author of “Ludicrous: The Unvarnished Story of Tesla Motors.” In this episode, Ed joins us to analyze the Cybertruck as a cultural text and also just to revel in its overwhelming absurdity. What is the Cybertruck? And what does its apparent popularity say about who we are and where we are headed collectively? This is the Cybertruck launch event we’ve all been waiting for. This episode was sponsored by and . *** . *** LINKS: Buy Edward Niedermeyer’s book, from your friendly neighborhood bookshop. You can follow Ed Niedermeyer on and . The Cybertruck fails are being collected and shared on on Reddit. This week’s big one? . This, by journalist is a good read: in Road & Track. If the audio clips in this episode weren’t enough, you can watch at the New York Times DealBook Summit. Buy t-shirts, stickers, hats and more in . Find us on , , , and . Leave us a review on . It helps people find us! This episode was recorded by Josh Wilcox at the . It was edited by Yessenia Moreno. Our theme music is by Nathaniel Goodyear.
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The Texas Freeway Fight with Megan Kimble
04/02/2024
The Texas Freeway Fight with Megan Kimble
In the 20th century, planners and policymakers smashed Interstate highways through the middle of every major city in the United States. In the 21st century, we understand the many ways that urban freeways were economic, environmental, and racial justice disasters. And yet, incredibly, the State of Texas is planning to spend over $64 billion in the next few years to widen highways through the middle of its three largest cities, Houston, Dallas and Austin. Journalist Megan Kimble has been reporting on the Texas freeway fight for years now. Her new book -- published today -- is . In it, she tells the stories of the communities in the path of TxDOT’s bulldozers and the brave Texans fighting against long odds to save their homes, neighborhoods, and cities from a seemingly implacable foe. What if, instead of expanding the aging and outmoded urban freeways dividing our cities, we tore them down? *** . *** LINKS: ’s new book is . It is excellent! Find it in or get it from your neighborhood bookseller. Buy t-shirts, stickers, hats and more in . Find us on , , , and . Leave us a review on . It helps people find us! This episode was recorded by Josh Wilcox at the . It was produced and edited by Aaron Naparstek. Our theme music is by Nathaniel Goodyear.
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Car Insurance is Too Cheap
03/19/2024
Car Insurance is Too Cheap
It has never been more expensive to insure a car in the United States. Today, the average annual premium for full coverage is more than $2,500, up from more than $1,700 just a few years ago. There are a lot of reasons for this—including the high price of cars, supply chain issues, and the rising frequency and severity of crashes—but no matter how you add it up it’s a huge problem in a country where driving is a ticket to full participation in society. Despite this, what if we told you that car insurance is still way too cheap? That’s something most people don’t understand until they or someone they love is directly affected by traffic violence. Today, mandatory state minimum coverage requirements have not kept up with the rising cost of car crashes, something all of us subsidize whether we drive or not—and that crash victims often pay for with life and limb. ***.*** LINKS: Learn more about and her . , by Daniel Knowles in The Economist. Buy a copy of by Daniel Knowles and get at our . “New York City’s best-known lawyer advocate for bicyclist and pedestrian rights.” (New York Times) NHTSA: Buy t-shirts, stickers, hats and more in . Find us on , , , and . Leave us a review on . It helps people find us! This episode was recorded by Josh Wilcox at the . It was written, produced and edited by Doug Gordon. Our theme music is by Nathaniel Goodyear.
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Live from New York with Bernie Wagenblast
03/05/2024
Live from New York with Bernie Wagenblast
In January, we held our third annual live show at Caveat on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. We were so thrilled to be in the same room as so many listeners and friends of the podcast. We were also happy to welcome Bernie Wagenblast, the voice of the New York City subway system, to The War on Cars. Bernie’s voice is instantly recognizable to millions of people — even if they don’t necessarily know who she is. Bernie’s personal story and the way she’s using her platform are also inspiring legions of New Yorkers and people around the world, and we were so glad she could join us on stage for some conversation and fun. Plus, don’t miss a pro-car comedian interrupting our show and Bernie reading our Letterman-inspired Top 10 list of transportation announcements we’d like to hear. ***.*** This episode is produced with support from . Listen to the episode for the latest Cleverhood discount code. LINKS: The Voice of the Subway Speaks for Herself, at Last. () Bernie Wagenblast, the voice of the NYC subway, finding her true voice after sharing her transition. () Charlie Dektar on “How to Make New York City More Car-Friendly” () Buy official . Buy books from podcast guests at Find us on , , , and . Leave us a review on . It helps people find us! This episode was recorded live at Caveat in Manhattan on January 31st, 2024. It was edited by Ali Lemer. Our theme music is by Nathaniel Goodyear.
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TEASER: Super Bowl Extra
02/15/2024
TEASER: Super Bowl Extra
***This is a preview of a Patreon-exclusive bonus episode. For complete access to this and all of our bonus content, .*** In this bonus episode, we continue the conversation we had in Episode 120 about the car ads from Super Bowl LVIII. These two didn't air during the big game, but one is a bit on an antidote to the excess of the typical U.S. automobile commercial while the other is part of a series that ran during NFL postseason games and lots of other big televised events. The first, from a famous Dutch beer company, shows the world as we'd like it to be. The second, courtesy of Korean automaker Hyundai, shows the world where it might be headed.
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Super Bowl LVIII Roundup
02/14/2024
Super Bowl LVIII Roundup
In what’s become an annual tradition, we take a critical look at the car ads that aired during the Super Bowl and consider what they say about driving, culture, consumerism, and the United States… which is all the same thing, right? The big story this year is not so much which car companies chose to spend $7 million for 30 seconds of air time but which chose not to and why. (There were zero ads from the Big Three U.S. automakers; that’s the first time that’s happened in 23 years.) Still, there were still some notable commercials featuring beloved movie stars, reckless driving, and stories that tugged at our heart strings. It’s all here in episode CXX of the podcast. *** and receive access to ad-free versions of all our episodes, exclusive bonus content, merch discounts, stickers, and more.*** LINKS: Watch all the 2024 Super Bowl commercials. () None of the Big Three U.S. automakers ran a Super Bowl ad this year. () Pick up . Buy books by podcast guests at . . It helps people find us! This episode was recorded by Josh Wilcox at the . It was edited by Yessenia Moreno. Our special Big Game theme music is by Nathaniel Goodyear and Michael Hearst.
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Should SUV Ads Be Banned?
02/06/2024
Should SUV Ads Be Banned?
Did you ever see a car advertisement that you thought was so ridiculously irresponsible it should be banned? Well, the people at Adfree Cities, an advocacy group based in the United Kingdom, did, and they decided to do something about it. They went up against Toyota over that shows drivers ripping through sensitive natural areas and cities—and they won, getting the ad taken off the airwaves and the streets. We talked with two members of the organization, Veronica Wignall and James Ward, about how they’re tackling the auto industry’s most egregious marketing campaigns, as well as their larger mission to create “happier, healthier cities free from the pressures of corporate outdoor advertising.” *** and receive access to ad-free versions of all our episodes, exclusive bonus content and stickers.*** This episode is produced with support from . Listen to the episode for the latest Cleverhood discount code. LINKS: Check out and their partner organization, . See the that UK regulators deemed “.” It’s not too late to register for the , February 22 – 24 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. and we will be there! Get your merch at . Find us on , , , and . Follow and please review us on . This episode was produced by Sarah Goodyear. It was edited by Ali Lemer. Our theme music is by Nathaniel Goodyear.
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