One reigning paradigm of Motordom is that we all buy a car as soon as we can, and just keep on buying every few years for decades. Much to the profit of those who make cars and related stuff.
But it seems this paradigm is already eroding, and undergoing change. My suspicion is that even more change is in the works when and if autonomous vehicles (AVs) become a practical and cost-effective reality. If this does come to pass, it’s likely that the number of active motor vehicles will shrink, and the Ubers of the world will operate large fleets of AV’s at much higher utilization that the single-digit numbers for most currently-owned private cars. This on-demand mobility looks like it may become the new paradigm.
Thanks to VanCity for this look at car-share (17-page PDF). It seems that Vancouver is edging towards the new paradigm.
According to VanCity’s survey and research:
Vancouver has more car-sharing vehicles per capita than any other city in N.A. That’s 3000 vehicles, 4.22 per 1000 population.
Why? Convenience (95% of survey responders); save money (62%); environmental concern (58%).
A surprising finding: only 44% of younger responders agreed that they liked not owning a vehicle. The report’s authors point to money savings as this group’s main reason for using car-share.
Another: 26% of respondents dumped a private vehicle in favour of car-sharing; and 40% avoided buying one.
Expanding transportation choice (options) is the major benefit the survey’s respondents like.
Vancouver has so many car share vehicles because we have no uber.
Interesting stats. The car shares however assume one has a drivers licence while many younger city dwellers now feel no need to get one. Most are used to ordering stuff on line and having things delivered. This is where I think the Ubers and Lyfters offer convenience requiring no license and only a smart phone. While a lot of people are anxious to see the ride hailing come to BC, it worries me that studies have shown those services just add to traffic congestion and slow down buses. I am looking forward to an app scheduled to launch next month designed to improve mobility by discouraging driving. Vancouver startup Cowlines plans to make it easy to execute an end-to-end trip using a smart phone connected (in real time) to transportation options including bus, skytrain, Mobi Shawbike share. The convenience of apps like Transit (created in Montreal) already reduce the connection anxiety, Cowlines hopes to make the mobility experience even better. We need to incetivise people who can make trips by bicycle and transit rather than by car to improve air quality and congestion simultaneously. Cowlines will even track CO2 emissions. Giving people travel options using an app that doesn’t require driving or car ownership will perhaps become the norm. Throw the idea of gps located stationless public bikes into the mix, executing that trip could become quite painless!
I love that Transit app. So simple and quick and extremely useful.
Something that transit, cycling and Uber/Lyft/taxis can do that car sharing can’t is provide for all the people that cannot get a drivers license.
Note that Car2Go and Evo only operate in parts of Vancouver and small central zones in N Van and Richmond, say 20% of the physical area of MetroVan. As such car sharing makes sense there but NOT as a general observation say for Lower Mainland, BC or Canada wide.
I use both frequently. Very useful. We downsized from two cars to one. However I do not think we’ll ever give up the one car until extremely old age.
True AVs are decades off. AV modes in cars will be common place but not driverless vehicles.
My biggest issue with car share is it makes for bad drivers. How so? Driving is a skill, like anything else, frequent use of the skill makes you better at it. I’ve seen those Car2Go Smart cars being driven like a funhouse ride. it’s a novel experience for the young (usually male) drivers and they treat it like a thrill ride.
I find the opposite. People who drive all the time are indeed skillful at operating the machine but become so comfortable that they cut corners and take chances which can frighten or endang others.
When I’m out walking or cycling it’s usually the Car2Go drivers who I find take more care and seem to be aware of the effect they have on those around them. Maybe it’s because they know what it’s like to transport themselves in other ways and can relate.
That’s been my experience as well. Casual drivers are more conscientious and less cavalier about being behind the wheel. They don’t make endlessly repetitive or familiar trips that lead them to zone out and coast as much. City driving isn’t brain surgery. Awareness, focus, and patience are more important than some mythical (typically male and of a certain age) notion of the great “skill” it supposedly requires.
How fascinating that unlike almost any other task driving seems to be the exception to the rule that practice makes perfect.
Agreed.
Car2Go drivers drive like maniacs
– but I chalk up the speeding and weaving in traffic to them being “on the clock”.
Good point. If I have seen aggressive driving with car shares it’s always been Car2Go and Evo and not Modo or Zip who’s pricing structures are not to the minute.