Mixer: LA’s decelerating car culture?

Gas prices have been on a roller coaster ride in Southern California the past few weeks.

From rock-bottom lows at the start of the year because of an abundant global supply, to a quick rise of a dollar or more per gallon because of a new summer gasoline blend that’s being produced and a refinery explosion in Torrance. There’s no shortage of complaints. And, of course, there’s been no shortage of cars and trucks in Los Angeles that use all that fuel.

But is that culture changing? And what is driving us to a point of not wanting – or needing – own our own wheels?

Zocalo Public Square recently hosted a panel discussion titled “Is Car Culture Dead?,” and invited several writers to weight in on the future of car culture in LA.

Joe Mathews is California Columnist for Zocalo Public Square, and Laura J. Nelson reports on transportation issues for the LA Times. They joined KCRW’s Steve Chiotakis.