Car-Lite

Moving the U.S. Beyond Car Dependency

One of the most wicked problems of our time.

The Big Car Problem

Video 1. Car ownership is an outdated system. Not just unsafe. Not just expensive. Car dependency stunts our lives—our choices, our cities, our time, and our freedom.

It’s been over 30 years since the Internet arrived, yet we still live like it’s 1970, with most people owning a car :(

Watch the video.

The Mobility Mesh

Videos 2 & 3. A framework I created to describe what actually works. Not one mode. Not one silver bullet. Many modes, connected, in our digital age with virtual connectivity. Many “snacks” that add up to a full meal.

Digital access. Better proximity. Walking. Biking. Small vehicles. Public transit. Carsharing. Ride hail (Uber). Here come the robotaxis.

Together, a Mobility Mesh.

Watch the videos.

Why “New Mobility” Hasn’t Been Enough

For me; it’s been 29 Years of Lessons– starting in 1996 at ITS-Davis. We imagined a smarter, multimodal future—better than owning a big car. We called it New Mobility.

But: small cars didn’t scale. Carsharing struggled. Ride-hailing grew—but car ownership barely fell. Even good ideas failed to break car dependency.

Robotaxis Change the Equation

They offer a profound transformation to our world. But only if autonomous mobility is applied in a meaningful manner. But people won’t ditch their car for a robotaxi alone. We still need:

• Better walking + biking

• More quality destinations close to us

• Better transit in dense places

• Better carshare for longer trips

Robotaxis enable the Mesh. They don’t replace it.

2030: A New Answer

“Do You Own a Car?”

No, “I live a Car-Lite life”. I use a number of different modes of mobility to get around. I live in a place with a great Mobility Mesh.