The Cultural Influence of Transportation

Our ability to transport ourselves to different places has been a leading factor to connecting cultures worldwide. Having the ability to travel has allowed us to exchange not only culture but import and export goods. Transportation is important to help the economic development of an area because it improves the day-to-day capabilities of a community, and their access to. It is fascinating how transit systems are created and have intertwined its way into our infrastructure. Have you thought about how your culture has influenced the transit systems designed around us? 

BICYCLES & SCOOTERS

For example let’s take a look at Amsterdam, it is the mecca for bicycles and is known as the “bicycling capital of the world”. There are bike racks aligned on every sidewalk and bike parking decks everywhere that substitute the need for car parking decks. The popular use of bikes arose in 1971 because of automobile fatalities being around 3,000 per year which included 450 children. A social movement was created to “save the children” and this brought attention to danger of motor vehicles. In 1973 the Middle East Oil Crisis made the oil supply limited therefore the Dutch needed to find an alternative form of transportation. The government created more bicycling lanes with better conditions, traffic signals for cyclists, and bike-sharing programs. The people of Amsterdam are accustomed to a cycle-centric city which has led to a growing biking culture. Nowadays you can see how these bike-sharing programs have been adapted in major cities around the world to try and promote a greener way of travel. Public electric scooters have also seen a huge presence increase in cities as well which seem to be popular with teen age groups who may not have their license yet. Cities that have incorporated bike lanes and prioritize cycling as a means of transportation are seen as forward-thinking “smart-cities”.

When we move over to Southeast Asia where we see more motorized bikes and Scooters rule the streets in Motorcycles are more affordable than cars so there is a stronger presence of them. With India having the world’s second largest population people prefer motorcycles to go to work than cars, can you imagine the traffic they would have if they drove cars. Motorcycles gained popularity in India in 1940’s once Royal Enfield started selling its bikes there. 

GONDOLAS

Gondolas originated in Venice because of the six little islands that make up the magical city filled with canals. Walking down the streets in Venice without a map is like a mouse in a maze, and once you think you have found your way you’ve probably run into a dead end. There are more waterways than physical streets in the city, and these canals have made Venice a dream destination location. The Gondolas started as a rowboat, and has evolved over time to be rowed while standing up and the magnificently shaped boats you have seen today. 

SUBWAYS & TRAINS

The best way to transport large groups of people is underground and when you visit major metropolis cities you most likely will find yourself using the subway system. Knowledge of subway systems NYC or London can be tricky if you don’t live there because of all the different routes, and you can’t see where you are because you are underground! Transportation systems have developed over time based on the needs of the population as well as being designed to complement the landscape of an area. There are overlapping similarities in European and American transit systems with the exception of how well Europe developed their train systems.

Train systems in Europe have allowed Europeans to travel with ease to the different countries that make up the continent. During the 19th century train system in the United States were very reliable and a cost efficient way to travel, these days trains are used to carry but not people as much. Public buses in the United States were once the most popular form of local and national transportation at were  We have seen unique styles of buses such as the red Double-Decker bus which became famous in London. In the 1920s, the first engine-powered version of the double-decker bus made its debut in London society. With a growing population, there was a desperate need for more buses, sparking competition amongst the many companies in the city. By the mid-1920s there were about 20 different companies with buses driving all over the city. 

TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS

Transportation can create barriers for many people if it prevents them from access to education, health care, religious or employment. Not everyone is fortunate enough to have access to public transportation especially those living in more rural areas. In some instances people have to walk due to lack of transportation options and some regions have looked into making streets safe for all pedestrians. It is also important to think about how transportation affects those with disabilities, and how not always accommodating public transit systems can be. African Americans are disproportionately killed while walking on streets that are dangerous by design. Pedestrian walkways add value and safety to a community, and simply adding sidewalks provides safer conditions for citizens. Inner-city neighborhoods are often overlooked for road improvements, which are typically damaged from the heavy traffic and large tractor trailers that ruin the pavement. When considering the improvements on transportation in an area, the environmental impact has to be taken into account.

Here in The United States, the automobile industry has played a role in the idea of fast food restaurants and creation of drive thru windows. In the last decade we have seen an emergence in public shared taxi systems such as Lyft and Uber. There were international revolts of the service because it affects the income of the local taxi driver. Taxis in New York and other metropolitan cities have seen a huge decline once these applications were introduced.

It is amazing how transportation continues to evolve and influence the culture around us. Effective transportation will positively benefit the sociocultural aspect of an area and if done correctly improve the quality of life of its citizens. Transportation can also improve a country’s tourism industry