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Motonormativity
Motonormativity (also motornormativity, windshield bias, or car brain) is an unconscious cognitive bias in which the assumption is made that motor car ownership and use is an unremarkable social norm. Coinage The term was coined by Swansea University psychologist Ian Walker (psychologist), Ian Walker, Alan Tapp and Adrian Davis (transport researcher), Adrian Davis in a 2023 UK study. The study was replicated in the US by Tara Goddard in 2024. Description and significance Motonormativity is not a bias confined just to motorists, but is a feature of car-centric societies. Walker has argued that a consequence of motonormative bias is that any attempt to reduce car use is not seen plainly for what it is, but interpreted as an attempt to curtail personal freedom. This effect has been documented not just in famously car-dependent North America, but around the world. A 2024 study found that Americans displayed a significant "windshield bias," where participants were more accepting ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Car Dependency
Car dependency is a pattern in urban planning that occurs when infrastructure favors automobiles over other modes of transport, such as public transport, bicycles, and walking. Car dependency is associated with higher transport pollution than transport systems that treat all transportation modes equally. Car infrastructure is often paid for by governments from general taxes rather than gasoline taxes or mandated by governments. For instance, many cities have minimum parking requirements for new housing, which in practice requires developers to "subsidize" drivers. In some places, bicycles and rickshaws are banned from using road space. The road lobby plays an important role in maintaining car dependency, arguing that car infrastructure is good for economic growth. Description In many modern cities, automobiles are convenient and sometimes necessary to move easily. When it comes to automobile use, there is a spiraling effect where traffic congestion produces the 'demand' for ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
