[ovi256]

> Americans make hourly investments in their daily commute, just to get started, and don't typically have the kind of street-life infrastructure of your average European industrial region.

The average commute in the US (52 min round-trip, https://www.google.com/search?q=american+average+commute+dur...) is either lower or at most equal to the average European commute (1h24 minutes, https://www.google.com/search?q=Europe+average+commute+durat...)

I really don't know why the popular stereotype, that I held too, is the other way around.

Japan comes in at 1h19 (https://www.google.com/search?q=japanese+average+commute)

[brabel]

Probably because in the US people drive to work, while in Europe they either cycle or catch a train? Still interesting that Americans have shorter commutes, but if what I say is true, then it's quite a difference to consider.

[burlesona]

Just emphasizing those are round trip numbers. I started to comment on how unbelievably long those were for “averages” before realizing you meant the round trip :)