The most common transportation modes include cars, micromobility options like bikes and scooters, public transportation systems, and walking. Each of these transportation options has different costs and impacts on health and the environment.

Cars

Cars are the most common form of transportation in the US. Most cars are powered by internal combustion engines that burn gasoline or diesel fuel, but newer vehicle technologies include hybrid and electric vehicles.

• An internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle runs entirely on gasoline or diesel.
• A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) combines a gasoline engine with a small electric motor that improves fuel efficiency but cannot be plugged in.
• A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) includes a larger battery that can be charged from an external power source and can drive short distances using only electricity.
• A battery electric vehicle (BEV) runs entirely on electricity and does not use gasoline. These are commonly referred to as electric vehicles (EV).

Cars dominate commuting in the US. According to the US Census Bureau, about 69% of workers drive alone to work, making it by far the most common commuting method.

Micromobility

Micromobility refers to small, lightweight transportation options that are typically used for short trips. These modes are often human-powered or electric and are especially useful in urban areas where travel distances are shorter.

Common micromobility options include bicycles, electric bikes (e-bikes), and standing or seated electric scooters. Many cities also offer shared micromobility systems, such as bike-share programs, where users can rent a bicycle or scooter for short trips using a mobile app.

Although micromobility is growing in popularity, it still represents a small share of commuting in the US. According to US census commuting data, only about 0.5% of workers commute by bicycle.

Public transportation

Public transportation systems include buses, commuter trains, subways or metro systems, and ferries. These systems reduce the number of individual cars on the road and are most effective in densely-populated areas.

Across the US, only about 3% of workers commute using public transportation, though usage varies widely depending on where people live. Public transit use is much higher in dense urban areas where transit networks are more extensive.

Walking

In the US, only about 2.5% of workers walk to work. Walking provides important health benefits because it adds physical activity to daily routines. Communities that are designed with sidewalks, safe crossings, and nearby destinations tend to support higher rates of walking.