Greater Cleveland is structurally built around the automobile. For a large share of residents — those who cannot drive, cannot afford a car, or choose not to own one — the region offers no reliable alternative. This is not an accident. It is the result of decades of policy decisions.
The Cost
- Households in car-dependent areas spend 20–30% of income on transportation
- Low-income residents are cut off from employment corridors not served by transit
- The region loses young professionals who expect walkable, connected neighborhoods