u/superspartan999

Oregon just finished a 2-mile highway expansion on the OR-217. It cost $174 million (Oregon DOT).

The Council Creek Region Trail (15 miles) that will connect Hillsboro, Cornelius, Forest Grove, and Banks will cost.... $24.2 million (Washington County).

For the cost a lane-addition on a loud, crowded, polluting highway, we could connect multiple town centers and have enough leftover to give every household in Washington County a $600 credit towards a bike / e-bike. (US Census)

Car infrastructure eats up massive tax dollars as invisible line items, not counting the hours of life lost sitting in traffic or the health costs of air pollution.

What would you rather see: another congested highway lane or bike infrastructure connecting your communities?

Use this thread to dig into costs and facts that the community has highlighted regarding the hidden costs of car dependency in America and beyond.

Hey everyone! I'm u/superspartan999, a founding moderator of r/CostOfNormal.

This is our new home for all things related to the unseen costs of the choices others have made for us - whether in the past or the present. We're excited to have you join us!

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How are there like 10 candidates for the Democratic Governor primary and yet only Kotek got anything into the Voter Pamphlet? It's embarrassing that THAT many people threw their hat into the primary only for NONE of them to actually do the work. Only one of the other candidates even has a website as far as I can tell.

The average cost of car ownership is roughly $1,025/month. In Oregon (where I’m at), gas at $4.99/gallon pushes it higher - closer to $1,200 for a new vehicle.

For a two-car household that’s $24,000/year. Gone before rent, food, or healthcare.
Compare that to what alternatives actually cost:
- Light rail monthly pass: $100
- A decent commuter bike annualized: ~$20/month
- Total: ~$120/month

That’s a gap of nearly $11,000 per year per car that we’re paying because most of us live in places where not owning a car isn’t a real option. It’s not a choice. It’s a tax on living somewhere designed around vehicles.

The frustrating part isn’t that people choose cars. It’s that the infrastructure investment to give people a genuine choice - protected bike lanes at $200K/mile vs. freeways at $60M/mile - is a rounding error compared to what we’re already spending. We just keep spending it on the thing that keeps everyone dependent.

Anyway. Would love to hear from people who’ve managed to go car-free or car-light - what made it possible?