Freedom Isn’t a Freeway: Gen-Z’s Fight for Transit Justice

Boomers gave us freeways. Gen-Z wants freedom from them.

We’ve grown up watching cities sprawl, sidewalks disappear, and public transit systems fall apart. Car culture, once sold as a symbol of freedom, now feels like a burden. Gas is expensive. Traffic is endless. Uber rides across town can cost $100. And the climate crisis keeps getting worse. Why should getting around drain our wallets and harm the planet?

That’s why Gen-Z is rethinking how we move. We are not just calling out cities that prioritize cars over people, we are choosing metros over Teslas and asking for infrastructure that truly reflects our values. We show up to public comment meetings. We advocate for expanded metro lines, like the new LAX extension in Los Angeles. On social media, we raise awareness about walkable cities and bike-friendly streets. We romanticize urban design because we want a future where transit is safe, affordable, and good for the planet. And in this economy, Gen-Z can barely afford a car! 

This is not just about convenience. It is about justice. Walkable cities reduce emissions, connect communities, and make opportunity accessible whether or not you own a car. Gen-Z understands that a better future is not built around highways. It starts with clean transit, strong policy, and a culture that values people over parking lots.

Gen-Z is ditching the car, for good reason.

Younger generations are increasingly moving away from car ownership. According to a report from the American Public Transportation Association, Gen-Z and Millennials are the most likely age groups to support expanded transit options, citing affordability and climate change as top concerns. The Urban Land Institute found that there is a significant growth in the percentage of Gen-Zers who prefer walking and bicycling over driving and traditional car-dependent lifestyles.

This shift isn’t just unique to the U.S. PR Newswire says that, in the United Kingdom, the number of young adults aged 17 to 20 holding driver’s licenses has dropped by 40 percent, reflecting a global trend where young people are rethinking what freedom and independence look like, and choosing alternatives to car ownership.

Owning a car has become financially unrealistic for many young people. Insurance premiums are high, gas prices fluctuate with every global crisis, and monthly parking fees in urban centers can cost more than rent. Meanwhile, public transportation offers a cheaper, more sustainable alternative, if cities are willing to invest in it.

Gen-Z creators have taken to social media to express their frustration with car-dependent infrastructure. On TikTok, creators like @beyondthestates make videos to educate millions on city planning, zoning policy, and why European cities often feel more livable. Their content resonates because it reflects a growing fatigue with broken systems that have never served us.

Growing environmental awareness is a huge driver behind these frustrations. For Gen-Z, climate change is the defining issue of our time, and sustainability isn’t just a buzzword; it shapes how we decide to get around. According to Forbes, Gen-Zers are looking for fundamental changes in the way the world works. Whether it be the implementation of technology or the rebuttal of the past, we want to make transportation cleaner and smarter. 

Cities like LA are listening, kind of.

Los Angeles is often cited as one of the most car-centric cities in America, but it’s also home to a rising wave of young transportation advocates. The LAX Metro extension, part of the K Line, is one of several projects aimed at expanding rail access across the region. For Gen-Z residents, this development signals momentum. But it also raises questions about who has access and how reliable the system truly is.

Groups like Streets for All have pushed hard for transit equity and revolution in Los Angeles. Young organizers have demanded not just new lines, but service that runs frequently, late at night, and connects to job centers and schools. They’ve had to fight against local neighborhood associations that fear "density" more than climate collapse.

Even so, Gen-Z is showing up. We’re attending planning meetings, voting in city council races, and creating content that explains the call to action for better transit in simple, viral ways. In Los Angeles, dozens of high school and college students rallied to support Measure M, the ballot measure to increase public transportation investment in Los Angeles County. Our voices are growing louder, and harder to ignore.

Why walkability isn't just aesthetic, it's survival. 

When we talk about "walkable cities," we’re not just dreaming of cobblestone streets and café culture. We’re talking about access. Safety. Sustainability. In car-first cities, even short distances require a vehicle. And if you don't have a car, you're shut out from jobs, school, and community spaces.

According to Smart Growth America, pedestrian deaths have been rising steadily for over a decade, disproportionately affecting low-income communities and people of color. Their "Dangerous by Design" report shows that urban planning choices have literally made it more dangerous to walk or bike.

Zoning laws are a big part of the problem. Decades of policies favoring single-family homes and wide roads over mixed-use developments have created cities where people are forced to drive. The Brookings Institution argues that because housing near jobs and transit centers is so expensive, low income people are pushed to cheaper housing on the outskirts of metropolitan areas, requiring them to spend more time and money commuting. So, zoning reform is one of the most urgent solutions to America's housing and transportation crisis. Gen-Z sees through the idea that cars equal freedom. We want cities where it's safe to walk to school, bike to a friend's house, or hop on a bus without fearing for our safety. And we're not afraid to call out the systems that make that impossible.

We know what works. So why aren’t we building it?

Cities around the world have already shown what sustainable, accessible transportation can look like. New York City's 24/7 subway system, while flawed, remains a lifeline for millions. Minneapolis ended single-family zoning in 2019, opening the door for denser, more walkable neighborhoods. Portland has invested in bike highways. And in Boston, Mayor Michelle Wu launched a fare-free bus pilot that has expanded access for thousands of residents.

Policy experts agree on what makes transit work: frequent service, integrated routes, safety, and affordability. Organizations like TransitCenter and Transportation for America have published comprehensive guides on how to build systems that serve people, not cars. The problem isn’t a lack of knowledge. It’s political will.

In Los Angeles, Metro's GoPass program allows students to ride transit for free, yet many schools fail to promote it. Bike lanes are painted but not protected. Infrastructure is delayed by lawsuits and NIMBY opposition. Gen-Z is paying attention, and we’re demanding that public funds be used for the public good. Globally, the UK government’s Future of Mobility Grand Challenge and Paris’s 15-minute city plan offer inspiring models that prioritize sustainability and accessibility.

This isn't a trend. It's a movement.

Gen-Z isn’t waiting for someone else to fix the problem. We’re already building a new mobility culture that centers equity, climate, and community. It shows up in how we vote, how we create content, and how we design our lives.

Whether it's a post about bikeable streets or a student rally for expanded transit service, we are making noise. We’re tired of having to drive just to exist. And we are not interested in inheriting a world that prioritizes cars over clean air, or highways over human lives.

Instead of investing in cars, many Gen-Z are choosing to save for education, experiences, and technology. This reflects a broader shift in priorities, where access and lifestyle matter more than traditional markers like vehicle ownership. 

We don’t want to sit in traffic while the planet burns. We’re ready to move forward. And we’re taking the train.