Some odd things stand out about car dependence in our cities. Aside from the patterns of sprawling suburban development we know all too well, insidious patterns of use arise from individual car dependence. Study reveals that most of the trips we take in our cars are short and could just have easily been done as a block of errands instead.

For the citizen that wants to unhook from the habit of the short car trip, Austin CarShare has recently taken root. With its Grand Opening in late October, the CarShare is in its pilot phase. A fleet of four vehicles are available to members at designated parking spots in West Campus and Downtown. Members share three Scions and a Toyota Tacoma truck, each brand new. CarShare members use a web interface to make reservations.

Car shares are joining the list of mobility solutions for cities - alternatives of mass transit, cycling and walking. Transforming transit in our cities makes a perfect candidate for worldchanging cooperation on a large scale, yet many solutions remove altogether the possibility of carrying cargo or passengers. Who thinks they can live without a car in Austin and still pick up groceries, run packages to the post office, haul some lumber, and take some friends out to dinner?

Car shares are a tested, successful solution for reducing traffic congestion, and improving air quality. Sharers tend to drive less and postpone new car purchases - the great majority don't replace their old lemon after joining a car share. Best of all, sharers can have all the benefits of a car and a truck without worrying about insurance, gas, repairs, or cleaning.

The non-profit Austin CarShare is the first car share organization in Texas.