Our new editor Jenna was recently interviewed by DC Commute Times for a feature that profiles people working in transportation. One of the questions stumped her.
“How would you explain transportation demand management to Fred Flintstone?”
Jenna didn’t watch the Flintstones growing up, so the whole Mobility Lab team tackled this one. But before we knew it, our director Paul and CEO Lois were racking off reasons that the Flintstones was actually a show entirely about TDM – potentially revolutionary in the suburban sprawl and car ownership model of the 1960s.
(And we’re not the only organization to see the subtle TDM of the Flintstones – the show inspired Wells + Associates’ carpooling program.)
So lo and behold, here are five reasons (plus a couple bonus extras) why Fred Flintstone was the original TDM pioneer.
1. Fred and Barney carpooled to work, always
How often did you see Fred and Barney not sharing their glorified Little Tykes car? There’s rarely a single-occupancy vehicle trip in this entire show.
2. Their car is active transportation at its finest
The Flintstones’ car is hardly a car – it was powered by feet, not motors.
3. Owning multiple cars? Nah
The Flintstone and Rubble families each owned only one car. This might be just reflective of 1960s norms, but to us it’s a testament to the convenience of incorporating transportation options such as carpooling, biking, and walking into also having one or no cars.
4. The bike was meant for sharing
What’s a better double date than sharing a four-person bicycle? We can’t think of one.
5. Walking?
The Flintstones walked everywhere in Bedrock. Walking is still the gateway to multimodalism.
6. “Flintstone Vitamins” ahead of their time.
Transportation and transportation demand management intersect with health and wellness through encouragement strategies to get more people walking and biking and sharing the ride.
7. Just doing what was natural.
The cave gang didn’t have much in the way of incentives to live a TDM lifestyle. Gas prices didn’t exist. Circling for parking didn’t add 15 minutes to every commute. And they were filling up on Fruity Pebbles and Cocoa Pebbles too much to be considered models of healthy living.
But they did all these sustainable, cost- and time-saving and fun measures because it felt natural and right to them.
Fred Flintstone, Mobility Lab anoints you the Grand Poobah of TDM!