16 Million Americans Do Not Have Access to a Car
A new analysis from NRDC finds that millions of Americans cannot rely upon a vehicle for their daily transportation needs.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A new analysis finds that nearly 16 million Americans of driving age live in a household without a car or truck, while more than a third of Americans cannot reliably count on access to a vehicle, underscoring the need to offer better transportation options to get to work, school or the grocery store.
“Our current system leaves the one in eight Americans who regularly walk, bike, or ride public transit with unsafe and inefficient options to get around,” said Ali Lehman, a research analyst at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) and author of the new NRDC mapping tool. “Having a car shouldn’t need to be the norm, and our system shouldn’t be built like it is. It’s time to recalibrate our transportation spending so that everyone has an easy and affordable way to go about their daily lives.”
The new NRDC map, Access Beyond Car Ownership, used U.S. Census and Centers for Disease Control data to provide estimates of car ownership and use in communities nationwide, as well as a breakdown of what households spend on their cars, how many households are sharing vehicles, who has limitations on driving because of age or disability, and how much time is spent ferrying others.
Overall, the data shows the overwhelming financial burden of car ownership, the personal safety costs of driving, and the widespread limitations on driving. The dashboard captures nuances of groups with limited access to vehicle travel because of finances, disability, caregiving, or age.
“Millions of Americans who cannot or choose not to drive are often invisible to those setting our transportation priorities. This new mapping tool should help correct that,” said Samantha Henningson, senior transportation advocate at NRDC. “It’s time for local, state and federal policymakers to look at the real ways people are getting around and to build the transportation system that will benefit everyone.”
Today, just 1 percent of total transportation infrastructure spending pays for sidewalks and bike paths. Another 24 percent funds public transit. That means three-quarters of public dollars spent on “surface” transportation are spent on roads and highways for vehicle travel.
By advancing policies outlined in NRDC’s previous publication, Getting Transportation Right, transportation decision-makers can cut household transportation costs and foster healthier, safer, and more connected communities.
NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd).