Today, we look at the bicycle. Why did this efficient means of transportation get shunted aside by the automobile? Author David V. Herlihy has written a comprehensive study of the quest for the human-powered vehicle. Can we wrest bicycles out of the realm of recreation and into a more central role in transportation? We'll explore this idea further in future podcasts.

In this episode, we interview Shelley Poticha, President of Reconnecting America and the Center for Transit-Oriented Development. If you're not familiar with the concept of TOD, this should be a great introduction. And if you are familiar with it, you might be interested in some of the reasons previous projects haven't worked out and how they can be improved.

In the last couple of episodes, we've talked a lot about alternative energies. Now I'd like to bring that back around to land use- how does the shape of our environment effect our lives? How did car culture ruin our social fabric? How can we fix it?

In episode two of the Post-Car Culture Podcast we talk to author James Howard Kunstler about his new book, The Long Emergency.  Kunstler envisions a future without fossil fuels...and it's pretty grim.  His interview is a call to action.  He predicts dire consequences if we fail to make the investments required to turn things around today.

Welcome to the Post-Car Culture. This podcast will be an investigation into the future of American culture after the automobile. As oil disappears and populations grow, suburban sprawl culture and casual car use will no longer be sustainable. In clear, apolitical terms, Post-Car Culture will look at how the future is taking shape now by talking to the foremost thinkers on these issues. A new episode will come out every two weeks.

This, our first episode, is an interview with Chris Paine, director of the new movie,"Who Killed the Electric Car?" Chris and I talked about the many alternative fuels being bandied about and how effective they are (or aren't). Next episode, we'll talk with writer James Howard Kunstler about his new book, The Long Emergency.

Let me know what you think- email me at tim@hearnowproductions.com.