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Laurence Aurbach on June 18, 2018 at 10:36 am

Michael, if people want to live where a personal car isn't necessary, there are many areas of DC where they can do that. More than 37% of households in DC are car-free. And in recent years, the huge majority of people moving to DC has been carfree -- 88% by one estimate.

Also, many suburban communities have been redeveloping to become more walkable, bikable, and transit oriented. Fifty years ago it was difficult or impossible to live without a car in places like Silver Spring, Bethesda, Rockville, Pentagon City, Clarendon, Ballston. Now many people are living in those areas without owning cars.

For the typical household that owns two vehicles, compact mixed-use development has numerous benefits. There are many destinations in close proximity, so trips are shorter and more easily combined. And many car-owning households prefer to walk, bike, and ride transit some of the time. This is not just about one or two big cities. Today about a third of Americans live in places that are dense enough for regular transit service. The bottom line is more convenience, safety, and economic opportunity.

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