Why do Americans drive their cars everywhere? Unfortunately, many areas in our country are built for them, not built for the comfort of people. Large parts of cities are zoned for single-family houses, for instance, meaning businesses and transit hubs probably aren’t within walking distance of home. When businesses are within walking distance, the way there is likely to be along a busy road full of high-speed cars, and the store is probably surrounded by a large parking lot. To make matters worse, many motorists aren’t even looking out for pedestrians. I’ve been cut off while in the crosswalk more than once. Trying to bike anywhere in these types of cities carries similar inconvenience and risk.