I was happy to read an article in the NY Times last night that reported people are driving less. And that young people are leading the charge. (For all you young whipper-snappers out there who are tired of those old timers saying “What is *with* the kids these days?” — keep this one handy in your back pocket. It’s a darn good contribution to a society that often can’t and won’t get out of its cars.)

Last year about this time, I was giddy about a Good Magazine piece that highlighted that driving less and taking mass transit (particularly among young people) was a lifestyle choice trend. And a new report by the U.S. PIRG to be released today shows that we are indeed driving less. Each year for 60 years, the people in this country drove more and more until the latter part of the last decade. Economics is the reason a lot of people will shout-out. We were in a recession, which meant less people driving to work and out to buy more stuff and simply more people trying to cut costs at the pump and with car maintenance. But here’s the interesting part —

“Phineas Baxandall, an author of the report and senior analyst for U.S. Pirg, said the changes preceded the recent recession and appeared to be part of a structural shift that is largely rooted in changing demographics, especially the rise of so-called millennials — today’s teenagers and twentysomethings. ‘Millennials aren’t driving cars.'” The PIRG report says that even though the population is growing, driving could remain at the levels from 5 years ago until 2040. Dude.

The millenials are driving less. In fact, less of them even have drivers’ licenses than previous generations. Some studies say the fact that young people can connect via social media, the internet and text messaging makes them need to connect in person less. And baby boomers are retiring and needing to drive less. Real estate trends show a shift in where and how people choose to live. That shift has to do with economics, but also in a change in what we value — walkability, social time, connections with our communities, local food, local art and reducing our carbon footprints.
Did you hear that?! Yes, I heard it too: that’s the sound of more people moving back to cities and communities that offer something beyond the individual. And I dig it.

Read the latest U.S. PIRG report:
NEW DIRECTION: Our Changing Relationship with Driving and the Implications for America’s Future
(Note for all you super young ones: This is not to be confused with “One Direction”)
New York Times:
Young Americans Lead Trend to Less Driving
And to join the mass transit riders of America, mark your calendars for June 20th — Rochester’s second annual ROC Transit Day. Leave that car behind. C’mon. Everybody’s doin’ it!